Gomen zer (Ethiopian mustard)

Ethiopian Mustard locally known as Gomenzer has been grown in Ethiopia and it is believed to have been evolved from the natural hybridization between black mustard and cabbage.

Ethiopian mustard has been grown well on well drained and organic matter rich soils close to homesteads in small quantity because of its poor oil (erucic acid) and meal (glucosinolate) qualities. However, recently Ethiopian Farmers have adopted to grow in it the field in larger plots because of its market demands.

In Ethiopia Gomenzer is used for many purposes. It is used for greasing the “Mitad” before local bread or Enjera” is baked: the leaves are boiled as Gomenzer, the seeds are crushed and oil is extracted by Stirring to be used as additional ingredient together with spices; it is used to make soap and soffen leather. Ground seeds are also used to cure certain ailments or stomach upsets and to prepare beverage.

Linseed (Telba)

Linseed is one of the oldest crops known to man and has been cultivated for both fiber (flax) and see O. Its origin is unknown but the Mediterranean has been suggested as a possible center. Linseed is Thought to have been an early introduction to Ethiopia.

Liseed Oil content is mainly in the range of 35-44% with drying oil properties which is highly important for the manufacture of paints and varnishes. Linseed oil in Ethiopia has been used for edible purpose in the past many years. The ground seed is of great value for a number of purposes including gastric pain and the extracted mucilage is used in cosmetic and Pharmaceutical industries.

Noug (Niger Seed)

Cultivated Noug or Niger seed may have been originated from the wild species (Guizotia Scabra) which is “Mech” in Amharic through a disruptive selection by Ethiopian farmers several thousands years ago and believed to have been taken to India, by Ethiopian immigrants. Noug (Niger Seed) is the most important Oil Crop in Ethiopia. It constitutes about 50% of Ethiopian Oil Seed production. seed contains 40% oil and produces a high quality oil due to the presence of about 70% linoleic acid.

Ethiopian Farmers grow Noug primarily for its oil and as the meal remaining after the oil extraction is free from any toxic substance, its seed cake is an invaluable protein rich animal feed supplement. Moreover, Noug oil serves as an indispensable cash crop to the Ethiopian peasant farmers, oil for lightning, as lubricant, for soap and in paints as well.