The Development of Indigenous Fruit

Trees in Eastern Africa for Improved

Livelihoods

A Joint Collaboration Between

AFREA and Bioversity

International

1.0 Introduction

IFTs identified as a priority area in sub-region in

priority setting workshop in 2000, FAO

Bioversity International (IPGRI) – MoU

(SAFORGEN) with FORNESSA 2002, IFTs priority

area for collaboration

Implemented through two projects;

Review and Appraisal on the Status of

Indigenous Fruits in Eastern Africa (2003/04)

Use and Conservation of Indigenous Fruit

Tree Diversity for Improved Livelihoods in

Eastern Africa (2007/09)

2.0 Review and Appraisal on the Status of

Indigenous Fruits in Eastern Africa

Information exists sub-region (grey &

published). Review useful starting point for

developing appropriate interventions building

upon on-going initiatives

ToRs;

Review literature (published/grey) within each

country on the status of research and

development,

Carry out field appraisal identify key players

carrying out research/development on the one

hand and production/marketing and verify five

priority fruit species with detailed information on

each,

Identify gaps for research and development of

each species.

Highlights

Countries - Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan & Tanzania

2.1 Ethiopia

370 indigenous food plants (70 families); 182 species

(40 families) are trees/shrubs with edible fruits/seeds

25 marketable

21 local markets,

2 national - Mimusops kummel, Ziziphus

spina-christi

2 international - T. indica, B. aegyptiaca

Priority species

Criteria - food/nutritional value, socioeconomic

importance, availability, marketability, potential for

development through value addition, and potential

for other uses

Species - Balanites aegyptaica, Cordeauxia edulis,

Mimusops kummel, Sclerocarya birrea, Vitellaria

paradoxa

Highlights

Fruits of Vitellaria paradoxa

C. edulis tree near Degob settlement

Nuts of C. edulis taken to the market in sacks

Fruits of M. kummel brought to the market

Highlights

Research in IFTs

EARO-FRD – variation among different populations with regard to the amount and quality of oil in the fruits of B. aegyptiaca,

EARO – FRD - Genetic variation in VPN,

Alemaya University and Jijiga Range Land Development Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture – conservation status ofCordeauxia edulis,

Somali Pastoral-Agro-Pastoral Research Institute (SOPARI) - Silvicultural and Management aspects of Mimusops kummel,

Highlights

2.2 Kenya

800 indigenous food plants (105 families); 400 species are fruit plants (57 families),

50 species market potential;

10 local markets,

4 national markets - T. indica , A. digitata, Dalium

orientale, Syzygium guineense

International market - T. indica

Priority species - Tamarindus indica, Adansonia digitata, Sclerocarya birrea, Ziziphus mauritiana, Balanites aegyptiaca

Highlights

•

Ziziphus fruits Balanites fruits

Unshelled Tamarind fruits Unshelled Baobab fruits

Highlights

Research in IFTs

Key research institutions in the country include Kenya

Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Museums of

Kenya (NMK) and World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Areas covered - taxonomy, eco-geographical

distribution of species, phenology, management, nutritional

status and socio-economic aspects of indigenous fruits.

KEFRI – domestication and product development

Highlights

2.3 Sudan 716 IFTs

Over 45 species marketable;

40 species in the local markets

Four national - Adansonia digitata, B. aegyptiaca,

Hyphaene thebaica, T. indica,

Three species international market - Adansonia digitata,

B. aegyptiaca, T. Indica

Priority species - Adansonia digitata, Balanites aegyptiaca, Borassus aethiopum, Hyphaene thebaica, Tamarindusindica, Sclerocarya birrea.

Research in IFTs ARO – FRC, Universities

Highlights

2.4 Tanzania

About 700 IFTs

Over 50 species marketable

40 local markets

Six in national markets - Vitex mombassae,

Vitex doniana, Adansonia digitata, Tamarindus

indica, Parinari curatellifonia, Strychnos

coccoloides

Priority species - Parinari curatellifonia, Strychnos coccoloides, Uapaka kirkiana, Vitexmombassae, Vitex doniana.

Research in IFTs ICRAF lead organization – ethno- botanical surveys,

germplasm collection and propagation, domestication.

TAFORI

Highlights

3.0 Research Gaps

Assessment of resource base including

information on fruit yields for economic

production

Genetic diversity of important fruit trees.

Studies on phenology, fruiting and reproductive

biology

Studies into domestication (propagation,

improvement and silvicultural management)

Integrated Pest Management

Commercialization of indigenous fruits

(Efficient harvesting and post-harvest

handling methods to enhance preservation

and Value addition)

3.0 Use and Conservation of Indigenous Fruit Tree

Diversity for Improved Livelihoods in Eastern

AfricaStudy – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda (Sida-SAREC, AFORNET)3.1 Priority IFTs Objectives: Identify priority IFTs;Understand communities’ familiarity with IFTs

and their usage in periods of food shortage; and

Identify constraints and opportunities for management and utilisation

List of priority species and production areas reviewed (Kenya and Tanzania); participatory ranking through FGDs 10, 5 priority species weighted ranking, 3 species - processing, storage, marketing, conservation status and pest and diseases

Highlights

Priority IFTs varied by country; T. indica - top ranked IFT common in the three

countries,For collaboration a purpose, which was the major

aim of the project, 2 additional species selected consultations with key national stakeholders commonalities in the country, species lists and other IFTs available in region but with demonstrated potential

Vitex doniana/payos/mombassae selected by farmers in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania Kenya and Uganda - V. doniana development

potential and is common in the two countries Tanzania selected V. mombassae since it was

priority IFT number one S. birrea more abundant 3 countries and given its

demonstrated potential in Southern Africa. All communities wealth of ITK on IFTs, passed on through

generations, oral knowledge IFTs – food shortage (alternative/complementary foods

- fruit, oil, juice, local brew and spices), sold as source of income

Highlights

3.2 Market characteristics of indigenous tree fruits in

East Africa

Objectives;

Identify supply situation of IFTs,

Establish their market preferences,

Establish pricing and price variables, and

Determine market outlets and their profit margins

Supply sources

IFTs - natural forests (Tanzania), farms and woodlands (Kenya

and Uganda).

IFTs bear fruits once a year (though different times for sites)

and sold unprocessed making fruit supply seasonal

Collection distances increasing overtime – clearance of

woodlands and forests

Highlights

Market preferences

T. indica marketed as first priority fruit, traded in local, national and export markets; V. doniana/mombassea and S. birrea marketed as second and third priority fruits and limited to local markets

Market preference and pricing for the three fruits dependent on size, shape, taste and fruiting period;

Bigger and oval or round fruits more preferred,

Sour fruits for T. indica and sweet for S. birrea most preferred. No particular preference for V. doniana or V. mombassea .

Late maturing T. indica and S. birrea but early maturing V. doniana/mombassea most preferred.

Pricing and price variables

Prices - species, sizes, shape, taste and precocity

Prices generally low <$0.5 kg

Higher prices – size and taste

Off season higher prices

Highlights

Market outlets

Market outlets – farm gate, local centers and towns,

Transboundary and export trade T. indica

3.3 Lessons Learnt in the Management and Use of IFTs

Most IFTs still found in the wild but area diminishing settlement

Low level of domestication - ability to grow naturally, small land holdings

Conservation measures – being left deliberately during farm clearing (food, shade, soil fertility enhancement, source of income)

Communities wealth of ITK important in sound development of IFTs

Most IFTs potential for socioeconomic development of sub-region improved livelihoods. Requirements;

shorten tree height, increase growth rate, shorten juvenile phase, increase pest and disease resistance and increase fruiting frequency

Improve fruit quality - fruit size, sweetness/sourness, increase fruit pulp size, increase oil yield, increase fruit load per tree and make the pulp more juicy

Acknowledgements

Ethiopia - Demel Teketay and Abeje Eshete

(FRC-EARO)

Kenya – Pauline Mbabu and Linus Wekesa

(KEFRI)

Sudan - Bashir Awad El Tahir (ARO)

Tanzania - C. Balama, Stephen M. Maduka

and L. Mbwambo (TAFORI)

Uganda - C. A. Okia, V. I. Opolot and J. F. O.

Esegu (NaFORRI)

Bioversity International - O. Eyog-Matig, M.

Mbogga and D. Kweka

THANK

YOU