There are about 6 000 cultivated plant species that serve a variety of purposes including food to humankind. Plants belonging to the group of palms are playing a major role in promoting food security especially for the people in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The sago palm is one of them. Botanically, it is known as Metroxylon sagu Rottb. The sago palm is an efficient carbohydrate provider. Properly used it can alleviate malnutrition and poverty. Once planted, it will provide generations of harvest withminimal care. Hence, like coconut, it has also been called a "Tree of Life" by communities that live on them. Sago products are also being used for a wide range of industrial purposes - in the paper, textile, fibre board, biodegradable plastic industries, power/industrial alcohol, animal feed production, and medicinal applications. It is a wonder crop.
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