Anchote Research in Ethiopia and Achievements: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract: Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica L.) is a vital tuber crop that belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and is cultivated mainly for food, as its most important energy source, and medicinal uses in the tropics. In Ethiopia, Anchote is grown in some areas of the western and southern regions, offering several advantages over other cereals as a food staple in areas with poor soil conditions, uncertain rainfall, and weak market infrastructure. Despite research on crop adaptability, selection, nutritional, and anti-nutritional factors, there is a lack of information on the overall status, challenges, and the future role of Anchote production in Ethiopia. This paper, therefore, aims to provide a brief overview of the genetic improvement, agronomic research, nutritional aspects, biochemical analysis, anti-nutritional factors, disease and insect pest management, and future research directions of Anchote in Ethiopia. Different research findings have been obtained and registered since the inception of research on Anchote in Ethiopia, including agronomic practices, technologies, biochemical analysis for nutritional composition, and anti-nutritional factors. The availability of these outputs in a compiled and comprehensive way is essential for enhancing the production and productivity of Anchote in Ethiopia and to influence the policy makers to consider Anchote underutilized crop not known by most of the country so as enabling to introduce scale up to be known as one of the prominent food and nutrition security crops in the country. Hence, the article can serve as a valuable reference resource for researchers, students, agricultural extension workers, and NGOs working in Ethiopia in the area of root and tuber crops, in general, and Anchote in particular.