This is a flowering tropical vine with attractive heart-shaped leaves. It is grown near trees because it is a climber with patience and good cultivation it can be grown at home. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning.
Uganda exports about 15 tonnes fresh Black pepper, the market for this spice is guaranteed.
Conditions that favour the growth of black pepper
- It needs a shade to survive outdoors. To propagate, sow the seeds in offsets from an established plant.
- The plant needs about five years to mature and fruit.
- It is hardly attacked by pests even aphids dislike the taste.
- It grows to a height or length of 10 metres or more when its main stem is established, it grows lots of side shoots to create a bushy column. It forms short roots which connect to surrounding for support.
- The flowers develop into round, berry-like fruits. There may be 50-60 fruits on each spike. They grow to a diameter of 4 to 6mm, each containing a single seed.
- The fruits are green at first but turn red as they ripen. These fruits are picked when green or red to produce black and white pepper.
Yeilds
Pepper growing is a lifetime venture if well-maintained on good soils and with good care; the quality of the harvest is good and fetches a good price.
Planting Materials
Planting materials consist of the stem with three nodes. Separate these from the mother plant at the beginning of the rainy season, and plant in a nursery bed in a shade.
Uses of Black Pepper
- Black Pepper Aids Digestion
- Pepper’s natural antibiotic properties make it an effective remedy for intestinal diseases caused by bacteria pepper causes an increase in the secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, improving overall digestion by reducing gas, diarrhoea, constipation and colic.
- Black Pepper helps relieve Cough and Colds
- Pepper’s antibacterial properties make it an effective remedy for respiratory conditions including colds, coughs and flu. Pepper’s spiciness clears congestion and helps clear up sinusitis.
- Black Pepper helps fight Cancer
- Research has revealed that pepper exerts a free-radical scavenging activity, and thus may assist in preventing some Cancers and slow the growth of Cancer cells.
- Black pepper may help in weight loss
- The outer layer of the peppercorn contains substances that boost fat metabolism. adding black pepper to foods may help in the treatment of obesity.
- Black pepper helps treat skin conditions
- Research conducted in Great Britain has indicated that the active chemical ingredient in pepper, piperine, is an effective treatment for vitiligo, a skin disease that causes areas of the skin to lose their pigment. Pepper is also believed to decrease susceptibility to skin Cancers caused by excess ultraviolet radiation.
- Black pepper improves bioavailability
- Eating black pepper promotes the absorption of nutrients to all the tissues of the body improving overall health.
- Black pepper improves Dental health
- Pepper helps fight tooth decay and provides relief from toothache.
- Black pepper is a natural Antidepressant
- Black pepper has been the investigated for its antidepressant properties. Animal studies showed that treatment with black pepper improved cognitive function and stimulated the central nervous system.
- Black pepper is a powerful Antioxidant
- Pepper has a rich natural content of phenols, organic chemicals that have strong antioxidant properties.
- Black pepper reduces inflammation
- Animal research has revealed that pepper’s active ingredient, piperine, has natural anti-inflammatory effects.
Market for Black Pepper
The major markets for black pepper include the following:
- Middle East
- Far East
- European countries
Districts that grow Black Pepper
The districts that grow Black Pepper include the following:
- Mukono District
- Buikwe District
- Bundibugyo District
- Kabarole District
- Jinja District
- Kyenjojo Districts
- Adjumani District
- Western Nebbi District
- Arua District
- Moyo District
- Yumbe District
- Northern Gulu
- Northern Apac
- Western Lira
- South-western Gulu
- Western Masindi