134 Potential for development and conservation of Dacryodes edulis
INTRODUCTION
Various authors have described the contributions of wild fruits, nuts, seeds
and vegetables to the African diet and their potential in overcoming or
ameliorating the problems of inadequate food supply and nutrient deficiencies
among the people, particularly rural dwellers, who are often perceived to be
under serious threat of malnutrition (Getahun 1974; Roche 1975; Okigbo 1977,
1978; Okafor 1975, 1980).
A multiple-value trees and shrubs prioritisation exercise conducted for the
humid lowland of West Africa (HULWA) by the International Centre for Research
in Agroforestry in 1993 indicated that D. edulis is one of the preferred wild
fruit tree species in the region. It is particularly valued in south-eastern and
parts of south-western Nigeria (Adeola et al. 1994), ranking just behind the
bush mango in livelihood importance.
However, few of the top 10 species in the HULWA region have acquired
international recognition, particularly in their importance in the agroforestry
system, contribution to income generation of farmers, nutritional values and
growing commercial importance locally. Data on local commercial and
production trends as well as export earnings from this group of resources need
to be collected. This study evaluates the production, uses and
commercialisation pattern of D. edulis in the Sakpoba Forest Reserve area of
Nigeria, with the objective of identifying the potential for harmonising the
development and encouraging the in situ conservation of the species.(Dacryodes edulis)08dacryodes.p65 134 22/12/2004, 11:05