Hassan Gbadebo Adewusi 139
obtainable from D. edulis include cooking (edible) oil and margarine, soap
manufacturing and pharmaceutical preparations (Okafor and Okolo 1974;
Udeala et al. 1980; Omoti and Okiy 1987).
Using data from two independent forest enumerations, Okafor (1993) found
that per hectare between 0.21 and 0.4 trees of D. edulis were present in the
wild. This is a very low density, compared with Irvingia spp., Pentaclethra
macrophylla and Chrysophyllum albidum among other high priority indigenous
fruit trees. However, in the traditional farming systems over three D. edulis
trees per hectare have been observed (Okafor 1993). Based on this and on an
average fruit yield of 223 kg to 335 kg per tree, an annual fruit yield per hectare
of 7 tons to 10.5 tons has been recorded (Omoti and Okiy 1987). In a similar
vein, other studies recorded an oil yield of about 16 tons per hectare, twice the
production capacity of oil palm (Emebiri et al. 1993). Most farmers’ holdings
consisted of an average of four trees per farmer (Adeola et al. 1994).
In the absence of monocrop or plantation farming of D. edulis in this area,
the current source of the fruit is predominantly from compound farms and
agroforestry plots. This accounts for about 90% of the total production. Trait
preferences for domestication of D. edulis as suggested by respondents (Adeola
et al. 1994; Aiyelaagbe et al. 1998; Okafor 1999) have been documented; these
include bigger fruits, creamier fruits, thick mesocarp, small seeded fruits, short
and early producing varieties. These trais could increase production and probably
encourage monocrop cultivation of D. edulis, if improved materials were
available. The percentage contribution to the entire production by the habitat/
forest types showed that primary, disturbed primary and secondary forests
contributed about 5% (at 1%, 2% and 2%, respectively). Agricultural fields also
make a significant contribution (5%). These fields, primarily devoted to arable
crops productions, have scattered fruit trees retained, hence are distinctly
different from any agroforestry system.
Fruit availability in the market is expected by late May and could last until
October in most cases, therefore providing a five-month harvesting period,
however the effective harvesting may last only four months (June–September).
Fruiting periodicity variations have been observed across the distribution range
(Kengue et al. 2002). Off-season genotypes/cultivars are also available and
their fruits ripen tardily between November and January (Okafor 1979). In
Rivers State, with a swamp ecology, a fruiting period from May to June has
been recorded; in Abia State, with a rain forest ecology, from May to October;
in Anambra State, with a forest-savanna transition ecology, from June to
November (Aiyelaagbe et al. 1998). Wider variation may occur in a drier
environment. Access to the forest may be hampered during the peak of the
rainy season (July–September) because of the terrain.
Since most lands carrying D. edulis are in the mixed or intercrop status, the
best alternative use of the land—whether for monocrop production of D. edulis
or other uses—has not been determined. Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) and oil
palm (Elaeis guinensis) are the common plantation crops in Sakpoba Forest
Reserve. Although production is obtained from all categories of land tenure, the
percentage distribution is as follows: private land, 80%; state land, 5%; communal
land, 5% and open access, 10%. If these land types were rented out, the annual
rent would be US$49 per hectare. The sale price for a hectare of similar land is08dacryodes.p65 139 22/12/2004, 11:05