Humans have selected the best varieties of indigenous tree species like apple, orange, citrus and mango for centuries. Yet tropical forests around the globe harbour many more wild species that potentially could become profitable cash crops when domesticated to be grown on farm, says Ramni Jamnadass, head of ICRAF’s research unit on Tree Diversity, Domestication and Delivery. “Many promising tree species in Africa are still only growing in the wild and there are semi-domesticated varieties like cocoa, coffee and tea with room for improvement.” The potential for domestication is huge, she proclaims, providing opportunities for new fruits, new flavours, timber and medicinals that smallholders can grow on their farm. Public private partnerships could play a key role in unlocking the commercial potential of these wild trees Jamnadass argues. “There are hundreds of species that farmers are interested in. Unless we get the private sector involved, it is going to be difficult for governments of developing countries to bear the cost of turning these species into cash crops. We cannot just focus on four or five annual crops like maize and other grains, and fruits such as oranges and apples, while there are nutrient - and flavour-rich fruits and nuts from trees that are adapted to local circumstances out there.” These are tree resources waiting to be tapped
Année de publication
2014
Auteurs
Langue
English
Mots clés
agriculture, allanblackia, markets, tree domestication
Géographique
Côte d'Ivoire
