Review of the history, taxonomy and nomenclature of ensete and the objectives and expectations of the international workshop on Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman

Abstract

The history, taxonomy and nomenclature of the genus Ensete and particularly the Ethiopian enset, E. ventricosum, have been put in African and global perspective; although the genus Ensete occurs widespread in Africa, on Madagascar and in parts of Asia, and the species E. ventricosum is widespread in tropical Africa, the early history of its scientific study is closely linked to Ethiopia, where it is domesticated. A full synonymy of the genus Ensete has been compiled in an appendix. The objectives of the International Workshop on “Enset (Ensete ventricosum) for Sustainable Development: Current Research Trends, Gaps and Future Direction for a Coordinated Multidisciplinary Approach in Ethiopia” are outlined. It is intended to bring together researchers from both the natural and social sciences in order to capture the wealth of vital scientific information from various research areas carried out in the past four to five decades and identify research gaps in their areas of expertise. On the way forward to reach a consensus on the need to fill the gaps identified, for a concerted effort for a multidisciplinary approach, the scientific results from research to feed into policy and the identification of a centre of excellence for enset research and its sustainable use through a declaration.

Keywords/phrases: Enset (Ensete ventricosum), Research and research gaps, Unique Ethiopian crop, Way forward