Uses, Management, and Economic Potential of Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae) in the Humid Lowlands of Cameroon

Uses, Management, and Economic Potential of Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae) in the Humid Lowlands of Cameroon

background

This article discusses the economic potential of a African rainforest fruit tree, Dacryodes edulis. The fruit is locally consumed and traded, in addition to its household value for oil and medicinal bark.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Cultivation of the tree is managed predominantly through seed reproduction (it is difficult to propagate vegetatively); trees are planted by hand (sometimes transplanted from native forest) and fruits are collected by hand. Authors recommend further study of harvesting and marketing of the fruit in order to provide economic benefits for local people. Through interviews with local farmers, the authors found that D. edulis is sometimes perceived as an effective shade crop for cacao and coffee (commonly cultivated in the humid lowlands of Cameroon), but could also decrease yields due to increased resource competition.

 

Reference: 

Ayuk ET, Duguma B, Franzel S, et al. Uses, management, and economic potential ofDacryodes edulis (Burseraceae) in the Humid Lowlands of Cameroon. Economic Botany. 1999;53:292–301. doi:10.1007/bf02866641.

Affiliation: 

  • Elias T, Ayuk (ICRAF/SALWA, BP 320 Bamako, MALl," SADC-1CRAF Agroforestry Project, c/o DR&SS, P.O. Box CY594, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe)
  • Bahiru Duguma (IRAD/ICRAF Collaborative Agroforestry Project, BP 2123, Yaounde, Cameroon)
  • Steve Franzel (ICRAF, P.O. Box 30667, Nairobi, Kenya)
  • Joseph Kengue (IRAD/NCRE Collaborative Project, BP 2067, Yaounde, Cameroon)
  • Matthias Mollet (IRAD/ICRAF Collaborative Agroforestry Project, BP 2123, Yaounde, Cameroon; Birmensdorfferst. 299, 8055 Zurich, Switzerland)
  • Theophile Tiki-Manga (1RAD/1CRAF Collaborative Agroforestry Project, BP 2123, Yaounde, Cameroon)
  • Pauline Zekeng (IRAD/NCRE Collaborative Project, Yaounde, Cameroon