Tag: markets
Seeds of hope: a public-private partnership to domesticate a native tree, Allanblackia, is transforming lives in rural Africa
This booklet tells a remarkable story. At one level, it is about the domestication of an African tree whose seeds contain an oil with unique properties. At another, it is about a public-private partnership – the Novella Project – which could provide a model for the development of new crops. The Allanblackia tree has been used by villagers for centuries as a source of cooking oil, medicine and timber, but till recently it was of little interest beyond equatorial Africa. This is now set to change. In 2000, Unilever began using Allanblackia oil to make small quantities of soap in Ghana. A sample was sent back to Europe for analysis. The oil, it turned out, possessed properties which made it a ‘food technologist’s dream,’ ideally suited to the manufacture of white spreads like margarine. The demand for Allanblackia oil could exceed 200,000 tonnes a year, but there are nowhere near enough trees in the wild to satisfy demand. To address the problem, the Novella Project launched a major domestication programme. By 2009, around 10,000 smallholder farmers, most in Ghana in Tanzania, had planted 100,000 ‘superior’ Allanblackia trees. Tens of millions more will be planted over the coming decades
Agro-ecosystems, their population densities and land cover in Indonesia in the context of upland-lowland relationships
RUPES and similar programs relate to increasing interest in landscape level interactions between land users in uplands and lowlands. Basic data on the total area and the number of people involved in the various combinations of land use types are helpful in prioritizing action research.
Strategies for developing value chains in Manafwa, Kapchorwa and Solwezi
Scoping study to generate insights into potential value chains and institutional arrangements in Manafwa district, Uganda
This report provides findings of the scoping study conducted in Manafwa district (23-27th November 2015) in Uganda to identify potential value chains for upgrading and generate insights into institutional arrangements found in the district. The information presented in the report was gathered through key informant interviews and focus group discussions in three sub-counties of Nalondo, Bunghofu and Bumbo, representing three major landscape levels, the lowlands, midlands and highlands, respectively.
A teacher’s guide on markets for agroforestry tree products: curricular framework and case studies
The second phase of the Southeast Asian Network for Agroforestry Education (SEANAFE) project was designed to enable educators from more than 80 universities and colleges in Southeast Asia to share knowledge and develop learning tools that address the interface between environmental conservation and poverty alleviation. It recognizes that the complex interface between these two areas must be handled in a holistic and integrated way if the projects is to help millions of small-scale farmers to benefit from commercial markets and, at the same time, help them to manage local landscapes. Thus, the SEANAFE Phase 2 project is guided by the overarching goal of educating Southeast Asia’s next generation of educators, scientists, and political leaders, on the importance of these issues and building their capacity. It particularly focuses on those currently enrolled in forestry and agriculture universities so that they can enact effective policies and programs in the future. SEANAFE, through funding support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), organized its Phase 2 set of activities around a series of well-defined regional projects for implementation from May 2005 to April 2009. These themed projects include: (a) Markets for Agroforestry Tree Products (MAFTP); (b) AgroforestryLandscape Analyses(AFLA); and (c) Forestry and Environmental Policies (FEP).
The market potential of parkland trees
The article reports on a study by ICRAF scientists, in the sahelian region on the commercial value of some of the trees found in the parkland systems in the region. It indicates that more than 30 products from 17 woody species were identified. The principle species were Adansonia digitata, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Tamarindus indica, and Borassus aethiopum. The products from these trees are sold in the markets and they are an important source of income to the people of the region.
The potential of indigenous fruit trees: results of a survey in Kitui District, Kenya
A semi-structured questionnaire survey was conducted [date not given] at 6 divisions (Central, Chuluni, Kabati, Mutito, Mutomo and Yatta) in Kitui District, a semi-arid area of Kenya. Farmers (n=7-9) were asked on the identification, propagation, management, preference and market value of indigenous tree species in the area. A total of 62 wild species was identified in farmlands and woodlands. The top 10 priority species of the farmers (in descending order) were Vitex payos, Tamarindus indica, Sclerocarya birrea, Adansonia digitata, Azanza garckeana, Vangueria rotundata, Berchemia discolor, Carissa edulis, Ximenia caffra, Balanites aegyptica, and Loranthus uluguense. Marketing survey revealed that seven of the top 10 species (Adansonia digitata, Azanza garckeana, Berchemia discolor, S. birrea, T. indica, V. payos and X. caffra) already have commercial potentials as they are sold in local markets. The survey also revealed that indigenous knowledge existed on managing indigenous fruit trees species such as spot slashing around individual trees to reduce competition from less favoured trees, pruning trees, and supporting young regenerants. The constraints identified by farmers that limit planting and management of indigenous fruit tree species are presented. Recommendations made from the survey are also presented.
Tree Seed Suppliers Directory
This directory is intended to contribute to the informed use of tree germplasm, which is an essential component of sustainable forestry and agroforestry practices, and promote wider use of quality germplasm.
Factors Affecting Household Participation In Non-Timber Forest Products Market In Eastern Uganda
It is recognized that non-timber forest products can contribute to poverty alleviation in areas with high poverty rate like Eastern Uganda. These products are particularly vital for the rural poor who collect them for diverse needs and functions. Therefore the Ugandan Government has recently focused on developing markets for non-timber forest products (NTFPs). This is also due to the surging demand for NTFPs, driven by increased consumer’s awareness of their medicinal, nutritional and economic value. In Uganda the markets of NTFPs are not yet as developed as that of staple food. Furthermore, there is little information about factors that influence household decision to collect or produce NTFPs as well as their decision to sell them in Uganda. The identification of these factors will help the Uganda Government in designing effective programs to boost households’ income in the short term and enable the sustainable use of forest resources in a way that they will be available for use by the future generation. Using data from a sample of 633 households selected through multistage sampling procedure, this study assesses factors affecting households’ decision to collect or produce NTFPs using a Probit model and identifies factors affecting households’ choice of a source of NTFPs using a Probit model. The study also analyses the determinants of households’ decision to sell NTFPs by use of a Probit model. The study found that the household characteristics (age, household size and wealth status) and other characteristics (agro-ecological zones and access to agricultural and market information) significantly affect household decision to participate in NTFPs or not as collector or producer. Household and farm characteristics (farm size, age, presence of trees on farm and occupation of the head of household) and other characteristics (agro-ecological zones and access to agricultural and market information) had a significant effect on household decision to collect NTFPs from the forest instead of producing them on farm. In addition, household and farm characteristics (education of the head of household, gender, presence of trees on farm and wealth status) and agro-ecological zones significantly affect household decision to sell NTFPs. Therefore the study recommends as follows: stakeholders should promote sound extension services on appropriate v agroforestry practices in the lowland communities. This is considering the land poor households who rarely plant trees on their farm. Poor households should be encouraged to invest more in NTFPs extraction and selling in order to take advantage of the growing market for products with high premium price. There is also a need for concerted effort among policy makers, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders towards improving women participation in harvesting and marketing of NTFPs in the study area.