Optimizing the production and marketing of NTFPs

Farmers in West and Central Africa find it difficult to achieve good returns from their tree products despite national, regional and international market potential. Failure to exploit these growing ma rkets is often attributed to product seasonality, weak infrastructure, limited and conflicting market knowledge, lack of networks and associations and inadequate processing and storage methods. In response, a team of researchers, extensionists, traders and producers developed an innovative approach to assist smallholder farmers develop marketing skills and knowledge, while also assisting them to increase on - farm production of agroforestry products. The present paper highlights major achievements under the p roject “Farmer Enterprise Development” using the experience of a farmer group (A DEAC) in Cameroon in selling Ricinodendron heudelotii . Ricinodendron commonly called njansang is an endemic African tree species belonging to the family of Euphorbiacee. The se eds (kernels) are used for preparing soup and a variety of dishes due to its appetizing aroma and its richness in fatty acids and essential oils and proteins and low in carbohydrates. The species also gives high energy values as compared to food crops. Exp eriences so far indicate that household’s income from marketing agroforestry tree products can be significantly increased using the sub - sector approach, in combination with development of post - harvest technologies and on - farm production methods. Results in dicated that farmers involved in njansang production realized an average 31% increase in their selling price and more than 80% increase in their revenue derived from njansang. We also believe that the approach can be scaled - up to other locations and to oth er products, because it is a step - wise procedure that can be adapted to emerging needs and opportunities.

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