Trichilia Emetica Technical Report

TRICHILIA EMETICA TECHNICAL REPORT

Mafurra T richilia emetica

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, USES AND AGROFORESTRY POTENTIAL

World Agroforestry Centre TRANSFORMING LIVES AND LANDSCAPES

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Biodiversity Gender Knowledge ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Mafurra Trichilia emetica

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE,

USES AND AGROFORESTRY POTENTIAL

By: Patrick Matakala, Arnela Maússe and Alberto Macucule

Maputo, June 2005

PUBLISHED BY HAMILTON-FYNCH: [email protected] WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTER - ICRAF

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the FAO and particularly the LiNKs Project for the financial contribution made to undertake this study. The research team would also like to thank Dr. Estevão Filimão and Ms. Gaia Segola for their comments on initial drafts of the study. The study would not have been possible without the cooperation and support of the District Directorates of Agriculture and Rural Development of Inharrime and Zavala, as well the Administrative Officer of Chidenguele Administrative Post. Special thanks go to the two technicians of Inharrime and Zavala District Directorates of Agriculture and Rural Development – Adélia and Alcides – for their guidance in the field, to all community leaders and respondents for their cooperation and friendliness.

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List of Acronyms

ARIM Agronomic Research Institute of Mozambique

ARTSC-Nelspruit Agricultural Research Training and Science Centre - Nelspruit

ASNAPP Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products

CPWILD Commercial Products from the Wild

DDARD District Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development

EN 1 National Road Number 1 (Estrada Nacional Número 1)

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

ICRAF International Centre for Research in Agroforestry

MEDIMOC Medicamentos de Moçambique

Mt Mozambican Metical

PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal

SAFIRE Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources

USD United States Dollar

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ii List of Acronyms –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– iii List of Tables ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– v List of Figures –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– vi

1. INTRODUCTION –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1 1.1 Background ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 1 1.2 Study objectives –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2 1.2.1 General –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2 1.2.2 Specific –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 2

2. METHODOLOGY––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 2.1 General methodology and study area description –––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 2.2 Phases of the study –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 2.2.1 Study preparation –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 2.2.2 Field work –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 2.2.3 Reporting––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 6

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 7 3.1 Household composition and structure ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 7 3.2 Perceptions and local knowledge –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8 3.3 Mafurra processing and other uses ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 11 3.4 Marketing of mafurra and its by-products ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 14 3.5 Species propagation and cultivation ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 17 3.6 Pests and diseases –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18 3.7 Mafurra potentials and traits for improvement –––––––––––––––––––––––––––24 20 3.8 The contribution of mafurra to household food security –––––––––––––––––––– 22

4. CONCLUSIONS AN RECOMMENDATIONS ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 25 4.1 Conclusions ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 25 4.2 Recommendations –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 26

Annex 1: Field survey questionnaire ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 28

Annex 2: Names of interviewees by gender, age, occupation and study area location –––––––– 34

Annex 3: Flowering, maturation and harvesting seasons of different types of mafurra according to interviewees in Inharrime, Zavala and Chidenguele districts ––––––––– 41

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List of Tables

Table 3.1: Summary of interviewees by gender and study location ––––––––––––– 8

Table 3.2: Summary of household composition and structure by gender and study area location ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8

Table 3.3: Characterization of different types of mafurra identified within the study area ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 9

Table 3.4: Common names of different types of mafurra cited in the study areas and frequency distribution of the responses –––––––––––––––––––––––– 10

Table 3.5: Level of preference for types of mafurra between male and female respondents –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 11

Table 3.6: Prices for different types of mafurra types and their by-products within the study area. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 15

Table 3.7: Local names of pests and diseases common on mafurra within the study area and frequency of responses ––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 18

Table 3.8: Description of common pests and diseases found on mafurra and some local control measures practiced by respondents within the study area. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 20

Table 3.9: Priority traits identified by respondents for improvement to enhance mafurra production within the study area–––––––––––––––––––––––––– 21

Table 3.10: Contribution of mafurra to food security and improved local diets.––––– 23

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Location of study areas in Inhambane and Gaza Provinces.–––––––––––– 4

Figure 2: Color differentiation of mafurra types found in the study area. –––––––––––– 9

Figure 3: Drying of mafurra fruit in the sun. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 12

Figure 4: Boiling of mafurra to obtain oil and dry pulp. –––––––––––––––––––––––– 12

Figure 5: Selling of mafurra fruit at a local roadside market in Chidenguele.––––––––– 14

Figure 6: Illustration of local conservation methods of fresh mafurra during commercialization. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 16

Figure 7: Consumption of boiled cassava dipped in mafurra oil (munhantsi) over breakfast –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 22

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1. Introduction

1.1 BACKGROUND

Mafurreira (Trichilia emetica Vahl.) the mafurra tree––is a valuable oil-producing tree species that belongs to the Maleaceae family and grows successfully in Mozambique. The species is well adapted to different agro-ecological conditions, but is mainly found along the coastal lowlands in the southern part of the country where it is commonly integrated in local agroforestry practices.

Mafurra mainly grows in the wild but it is also widely propagated by farmers, especially women, through seed, rootstocks and wild seedlings on-farm and near homesteads. In urban areas, mafurra is also frequently used for ornamental purposes and as a shade tree.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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The mafurra tree has significant cultural and socio-economic value in Mozambique, The importance of especially in the southern part of the country. It is commonly used for spiritual cere- mafurra goes beyond monies that involve pledging to ancestors, and in the identification of graves in family Mafurracemeteries. In addition, mafurra fruits are widely consumed and sold during the immediate local season, especially by women. consumption in its crude TRICHILIA EMETICA form, as it is also locally There are many types of mafurra mainly identified by the colour of the pericarp (the edible cover of the seed) such as red and white mafurra, and also by size of the processed by women into fruits, such as big and small mafurra seeds/fruits. White mafurra is the most an edible oil (called preferred for both local consumption and for sale because it is more palatable and munhantsi) and pulp has more pulp. However, there are a few families who own or produce mafurra trees (called xibehe) mainly due to the difficulties associated with propagation of the species such as poor germination capacity and seedling survival. During the harvest season from November-March, households with larger quantities, and especially women, supply urban markets in order to raise and increase family income to support other basic needs. The importance of mafurra goes beyond immediate local consumption in its crude form, as it is also locally processed by women into edible oil (called munhantsi) and pulp (called xibehe) that improve local diets and are used as food sources, particularly during post-harvest periods that are characterized by high food shortages.

However, there are many limitations in relation to the handling and conservation of fresh fruits and seeds, as fruits mature in short periods, thereby demanding a lot of Most rural communities effort by women in fruit collection and drying to avoid deterioration. There are also have access only to natural many losses of fruit experienced as a direct consequence of high humidity levels resources for construction caused by rain and poor conservation conditions by users, such as exposure to materials. sunlight all of which cause accelerated fruit rotting. Therefore, mafurra collection, transportation, fresh use and marketing must be done within the shortest possible time to avoid rapid deterioration of the fruit. Mafurra seed is also susceptible to insect attacks during fruit development and maturation stages.

This study is intended to document and disseminate indigenous knowledge related to propagation, conservation, processing, and use of mafurra taking into account gender roles. It also highlights the contribution of mafurra to rural household food security.

1.2 STUDY OBJECTIVES

1.2.1 GENERAL The purpose of this study is to document local knowledge in relation to uses, marketing, processing and propagation of mafurra, as well as to assess its potential contribution to increased family income and food security.

1.2.2 SPECIFIC To collect data on local knowledge (utilization, dissemination, propagation, conservation and cultural myths) related to mafurra; To carry out a detailed analysis of the potential contributions of mafurra to household incomes and food security; To establish the market chain (production-commercialization-consumption) for mafurra; and To disseminate the results of the study to all relevant stakeholders. 2 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. Mafurra

2. Methodology

2.1. GENERAL METHODOLOGY AND STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

This study was carried out in Inharrime and Zavala Districts in Inhambane Province, as well as the Administrative Post of Chidenguele (Posto Administrativo de Chidenguele) in Manjacaze District, Gaza Province (Figure 1). These are some of the areas located along the National Highway EN 1 (Estrada Nacional Número 1) that are major sources of mafurra sold in major urban centers including Xai-Xai in Gaza Province and the capital city of Maputo.

However, data collection was not only confined to locations along the highway, but also involved several other locations and administrative posts, such as Dongane, Chacane and Mahalambe in Inharrime District, and CanetaneLOCAL and Muane in Zavala INDIGENOUS District. KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

3 Figure 1: Location of the study areas in Inhambane and Gaza Provinces

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The research team comprised two senior researchers from Maputo and a driver. In each district visited, a technician from the Agriculture Sector was also recruited as part of the research team. In each location and/or administrative post visited, a local resident was also included in the team to serve as a guide in the identification of families to be interviewed and assist with translation of conversations into local languages in the event of limited communication between the research team and the interviewees.

During the planning phase, a minimum of 35 households were defined as an adequate sample per district. However, the team was able to collect data from about 50 households per district. Field data collection employed a combination of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques including semi-structured interviews with key-informants comprising both men and women (mafurra users, sellers and local leaders) and relevant groups of stakeholders, construction of ranking matrices, direct observations and discussions in small groups. The majority of interviewees Mafurra contributes were illiterate, which made it difficult for them to comprehend certain technical significantly to household questions particularly in relation to propagation techniques and mafurra traits for food security and income improvement.

2.2. PHASES OF THE STUDY

In order to achieve the foregoing objectives, the study was divided into the following three phases: i) study preparation; ii) field work; and iii) final reporting.

2.2.1. STUDY PREPARATION This phase involved the formation and training of the research team, refinement of the study terms of reference and planning of fieldwork (scheduling, logistics). The research team was composed of two senior researchers and a driver plus one technician from the Agriculture Sector in each district visited. The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) office in Maputo provided training to the research team in the application of PRA tools.

2.2.2. FIELD WORK Field data collection took place between August 8th – 25th, 2004. The first week (August 8th -13th), was spent in Inharrime district; August 16th – 20th in Zavala District; and August 23rd – 25th in Chidenguele Administrative Post in Manjacaze District.

Within each district, four villages comprising 50 households were selected for interviews. The criteria for selection of these areas included relevance to mafurra production potential, evidenceLOCAL of marketing INDIGENOUSactivities, uses, processing and KNOWLEDGE other basic information that was required by the research team such existence of mafurra trees in the study area. Information on different potential areas was initially obtained from the District Directorates of Agriculture and Rural Development (DDARD) in each district and/or their representativesMafurra in specific administrative posts and villages. TRICHILIA EMETICA

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With the exception of community repre- accordance with the questionnaire With the exception of sentatives, interviewee households were (Annex 1) that was used during the inter- community randomly selected based on a list views. Data analysis was based on Mafurraprovided by local leaders. After random- frequency distribution of the responses representatives, ization, the TRICHILIAteam sorted out the EMETICAusing pattern matching and also the interviewee households household names on a list and the analysis of data in a gender perspective. were randomly selected interviewer selected the first fifty house- For each section and question, some based on a list provided hold representatives per study area to mathematical parameters such as mean be interviewed. Household names were and mode were calculated and similar by local provided by a knowledgeable local questions were grouped in order leaders. resident who was part of the research to discern the general tendencies in team. In case of absences or lack of the responses. Different approaches availability, the team interviewed the including triangulation were also used in next available household on the list . the interpretation of final results. The final stage was the drawing up of results, 2.2.3 REPORTING conclusions and recommendations. This phase consisted of data processing using a word processor and Excel spreadsheet followed by data analysis in

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3. Results and Discussion

3.1 HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Annex 2 provides a detailed list of interviewees by study area, gender and age. Table 3.1 summarizes the categories of interviewees by gender and study area. A total of 149 people were interviewed of whom 48 were from Inharrime, 50 from Chidenguele and 51 from Zavala. The interviewees in Chidenguele and Inharrime were aged between 19 and 89 years, while in Zavala the ages ranged between 24 and 93 years old. Almost all interviewees were farmers.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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Of the 149 interviewees, 92 were women and 57 were men (Table 3.1). In all the three areas studied, the number of female interviewees was relatively higher than that of males except in Zavala, where the distribution was somewhat balanced (26 Culturally, it is Mafurrafemales and 25 males). The high proportion of female interviewees in this study acknowledged that couldTRICHILIA be attributed to the fact EMETICAthat women were more likely to be at home or on nearby farms than men and hence had a high probability of meeting with the women are the research team. Culturally, it is also acknowledged that women are the predominant predominant collectors, collectors, users and processors of mafurra. The majority of interviewees were users and processors of farmers with only a limited number of respondents being technicians or workers from mafurra. the District Directorates of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as those who were self-employed.

Table 3.1: Summary of interviewees by gender and study location

STUDY AREA STUDY AREA MALES FEMALES TOTAL

Inharrime 16 32 48 Zavala 25 26 51 Chidenguele 16 34 50

Total 57 92 149

Table 3.2 illustrates the summary of household composition by gender and study area. The total number of individuals represented in the households interviewed was A mature mafurra tree. 959, of whom 155 were male, 254 were female and 550 were children. Zavala showed the highest number of females in terms of total household composition (98), followed by Inharrime (86), and finally Chidenguele (70). In relation to male composition in the households, Inharrime had 56, followed by Zavala at 57 and Chidenguele with 42. The number of children in the households interviewed was 146 in Inharrime, 188 in Chidenguele and 216 in Zavala.

Table 3.2: Summary of household composition and structure by gender and study area location

DISTRICT/ STUDY AREA LOCATION MALES FEMALES CHILDREN TOTAL

Inharrime 56 86 146 288 Zavala 57 98 216 371 Chidenguele 42 70 188 300

Total 155 254 550 959

3.2. PERCEPTIONS AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

The types of mafurra that were frequently reported to be available in the study areas included nhamarrobe/nhamadjavane (white mafurra - Figure 2), wobilivila (red mafurra of normal size - Figure 2), nhatxocoti/nhatxotxue (small size red mafurra), xifampure/nhamapfumete (red mafurra without an aril), malaule (mafurra that could be either white or red with a single small seed), bape (red mafurra of big size and good taste), and wopatela (mafurra of mixed white and red colors- Figure 2). Various types of mafurra were found in the study area differentiated mainly by color, fruits/seed size, and taste. Table 3.3 shows the main types of mafurra and frequency of respondents that referred to each type in the three study areas.

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Figure 2: Differentiation of mafurra types found in the study area––color figures on cover

Table 3.3: Common names of different types of mafurra cited in the study area

DISTRICT/ LOCAL NAME NUMBER OF N LOCATION OF MAFURRA RESPONDENTS

Inharrime Nhatxocoti 39 Wobilivila 32 Typical street scene in Nhamadjavane/Macanete 23 rural Mozambique. Xifampure 12 48

Chidenguele Wobilivila niku bassa 5 Nhamadjavane 49 Wobilivila 44 Nhamapfumete 28 Nhatxotxue 32 Bape 12 Wopatela 3 Nhamarrobe/Nhamadjavane 51 50

Zavala Wobilivila 47 Nhatxocoti 33 Xifampure 32 Malaule 2 51

Common names of mafurra were found (found in both Inharrime and Zavala to be similar in the three study areas, districts), for instance, is the same as although there were some minor differ- ‘nhamapfumete’ found in Chidenguele – ences in the naming of the different meaning ‘Without vision or blind.’ types. The differences in names are Similarly, ‘nhatxocoti’ in Inharrime and simply semantic from a linguistic point of Zavala, is the same as ‘nhatxotxue’ in view. For instance, although the main Chidenguele. Therefore, the outlier language spoken in the three study names such as ‘bape’ and ‘malaule’ are areas is Chope, that which is spoken in simply as a result of linguistic differences Inharrime is often mixed with or has and external influences on the Chope influence from Bitonga (another local language. Table 3.4 provides a compara- language). The Chope spoken in tive description of the main Chidenguele is often mixed with characteristics used in the differentiation Xangana, a predominant language in and classification of mafurra identified in neighbouring Gaza Province,LOCAL whereas INDIGENOUSthe study areas. KNOWLEDGE the Chope spoken in Zavala is considered pure. Hence, the nameMafurra ‘xifampure’ TRICHILIA EMETICA

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Table 3.4: Characterization of different types of mafurra identified within the study area

User preferences LOCAL NAMES MAIN CHARACTERISTICS MafurraOF MAFURRA for the type of mafurra NhamadjavaneTRICHILIAMafurra that EMETICA is completely white, tasty or sweet with high pulp level and varied according to mealy in texture.

specific needs such as Wobilivila Red mafurra, tasty or sweet with a mealy texture like that of nhamadjavane. Pulp level varies from one tree to another. The name taste, pulp and oil ‘wobilivila’ means red in the Chope language. content. Nhamapfumete Mafurra that can be either white or red. The only difference from the latter two is that its aril is completely covered and thus is invisible. The name means ‘without eyes’ in the Chope language.

Nhatxotxue Mafurra that is red in colour, with a small fruit size and with a bitter taste. This mafurra has a higher oil content than the other types and has a low pulp level compared with red mafurra.

Bape This is a variety of red mafurra, probably the largest size available. It has a good, sweet taste, is mealy in texture and has a very high quality pulp content. It is particularly characterised by late maturity compared to others.

Wopatela This type of mafurra has mixed colours of white and red (Figure 1). Some people prefer to call this white mafurra (nhamadjavane) if white predominates, or red mafurra (wobilivila) if red predominates. The name ‘wopatela’ means mixed.

Malaule Mafurra that may be either white or red but with a single small seed.

The reproduction calendar for mafurra was found to be common for all the identified varieties. Respondents reported that flowering occurred between July and August; A typical rural home fruiting between August and September; maturing between November and reflecting dependence on December; and fruit harvesting between December and March. For the normal red natural resources and low type, small red type and the type without an aril, some variations were reported in annual incomes. their flowering periods and harvest seasons (see Annex 3). The big red mafurra and the one without an aril (nhamapfumete) were found to mature late.

User preferences for the type of mafurra varied according to specific needs such as taste, pulp and oil content. Table 3.5 illustrates the level of preferences of different type of mafurra. White mafurra (nhamajavane or nhamarrobe) is the most preferred by almost all respondents (91.2% men and 86.96% women) for its good taste and high pulp content, followed by the bigger red type wobilivila, (84.21% men and 81.52% women). The least used types of mafurra among all respondents include wopatela, bape and malaule. Of these, women still prefer bape and wopatela in comparison with men who prefer malaule.

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Table 3.5: Level of preference for types of mafurra amongst male and female respondents

TYPES OF CUMULATIVE % OF CUMULATIVE % OF MAFURRA MALE RESPONDENTS FEMALE RESPONDENTS (n=57) (n=92)

Nhamadjavane 91.20 86.96 Wobilivila 84.21 81.52 Nhatxotxue 61.40 72.50 Nhamapfumete 38.60 54.30 Malaule 3.50 0.00 Bape 1.75 8.70 Wopatela 1.75 6.52

Mafurra consumption involves local habits and customs in southern Mozambique. Almost all households interviewed consume mafurra with pleasure and satisfaction, it being the most preferred wild fruit when in season by the Chope people The inter- A wide variety of crops viewees, especially men (35.3%), mentioned that they consumed mafurra for are cultivated in home nutritional reasons while the majority of women respondents (38.3%) asserted that gardens. mafurra consumption was part of local tradition and custom passed over genera- tions. The women respondents also denied having knowledge of the chemical composition of mafurra to make inferences about its contribution to nutrition and health. On the other hand, men (35.3%) justified their position by saying that although they did not know anything about the chemical composition of mafurra, they believed that mafurra contained some vitamins because during the season, people who ate mafurra looked more beautiful, fair and fat.

3.3 MAFURRA PROCESSING AND OTHER USES

Use of mafurra varies according to type. For direct consumption while fresh, both male and female respondents preferred mafurra that is tasty and sweet irrespective of color or size. All types of mafurra can be processed to obtain oil (muhantsi) and dry pulp (xibehe). It is important to note that the small red mafurra (nhatxocoti) that has a bitter taste and high oil content, is used exclusively to extract oil.

As mentioned earlier, from processing one can obtain a range of mafurra products that could be sold and consumed locally. These products include cooking oil, medicinal oil, edible pulp, residual and fresh sauce or milk that could be used in seasoning different foods such as cassava, vegetables, meat and fish. The dried pulp of mafurra is a good substitute for coconut and groundnuts, particularly in times of shortages of the latter. Fresh mafurra soaked and made into a sauce or milk can be added to fresh food as a seasoning. Sauce preparation consists of soaking fresh mafurra seeds in water orLOCAL cashew nut fresh INDIGENOUS juice that is kept for about KNOWLEDGE 15 to 20 minutes, hand mixed and filtered in order to obtain the required sauce. The soaking is done in order to separate the pulp from the seed. The sauce is milky and can be light or dense, depending onMafurra the amount of water added. TRICHILIA EMETICA

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Mafurra processing requires good preliminary treatment, immediately after harvest. The major and most important pre-treatment after harvest is the drying process. This is predominantly done by women in two steps. The first is in the sun for a Mafurraperiod of one to two weeks (Figure 3), and secondly, in containers placed inside huts Smoke is used inside whereTRICHILIA fires are lit to provide smoke EMETICA that eventually reduces the vulnerability of fruits huts to reduce the to attack by fungi and insects. Once dry, the mafurra fruits are placed in bags vulnerability of fruits to awaiting final processing. attack by fungi and insects

Figure 3: Drying of mafurra fruit in the sun

It can be said that processing of mafurra seed starts with the drying stage, followed by washing up and soaking in water for two days in big pots. Before soaking, there is selection and removal of rotten seeds to guarantee a good quality final product. After two days of soaking, the mafurra fruits are removed, pressed by hand and then put into water again and mixed to obtain a milky and oily liquid that is later filtered to separate the liquid from seeds. The liquid is then boiled for at least three hours after which it separates into a top clear emulsion and a bottom dense residue (Figure 4). The top emulsion is further boiled for two hours to obtain pure oil (muhantsi). The bottom dense residue is boiled until a dry pulp (xibehe) is obtained. This process lasts an average of 12 hours and consumes a lot of firewood. The whole process of extracting oil and obtaining dry pulp is quite labour-intensive. Since women are responsible for mafurra processing and other household chores (e.g. collecting water and firewood, cooking, preparing kids for school, etc.), they end up being over-worked.

Figure 4: Boiling of mafurra to obtain oil and dry pulp

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For medicinal oil production, seed is activity away from their family members crushed and water is added and boiled and strangers. Women undergoing in order to obtain the desired oil. menstruation or suffering from nasal Medicinal oil can be applied to wounds, hemorrhage are also not allowed to hair, and as a lotion particularly on newly process mafurra for the same reason. born babies as a skin emulsifier. Apart Orphans are also banned from from the medicinal oil, other parts of the processing mafurra as they are believed mafurra tree have also been used in to be ‘out of luck and with a bad hand’, traditional medicine. Mafurra leaves having lost one or both of their parents. have been use to cure a number of According to the respondents, only stomach ailments such as colic and diar- females get involved in the processing rhea, as well as root and bark as males are believed to be more concoctions to clean the digestive vulnerable than women to engaging system. in sexual activities. This stereotype is actually played out when any man tries Mafurra on the tree before The mafurra tree can be classified as a to approach a work area where a group ripening. multipurpose tree species as it provides of women are processing mafurra. a wide range of products and services. Whether the man had engaged in sexual In addition to the already mentioned activities or not beforehand, he is not products above, mafurra provides good allowed to get closer to the work area shade and has been promoted in because women think men will never be ornamental plantings around major cities honest about their sexual activities – the in Mozambique. The wood is also used best solution is ban them completely in carvings such as wooden spoons, from approaching processing areas. pounding pestles, wooden boxes and dishes. Mafurra tree is not recom- The mafurra tree is also an important mended as firewood, but it can be used species used in traditional ceremonies in case of diseased trees. often led by elderly men, including the evocation of ancestors (ku pahla), Almost all interviewees reported the praying for rains, etc. This is common existence of cultural rules and norms in among households and in particular in relation to the utilization and processing community sacred areas. According to of mafurra passed over from generation interviewees, where mafurra is not to generation. One of the myths is that available, family members are required the processors cannot engage in sexual to plant a new mafurra tree to which all activities two to three days prior to and future ceremonies would be conducted. during the processing time. It is strongly In rural areas, mafurra trees are also believed that oil yields would be dimin- used to identify family graves in cases ished if one were involved in sexual where families do not have resources activities 2-3 days prior to or during to purchase tombstones. The tree is the processing activity. To avoid such preferred for this purposes because it inconvenience, processors,LOCAL who are INDIGENOUSprovides both shade and edible KNOWLEDGE fruit. predominantly women, will spend the nights elsewhere as a groupMafurra during the TRICHILIA EMETICA

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LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE 3.4 MARKETING OF MAFURRA AND ITS BY-PRODUCTS

Commercialization of mafurra, which is mostly done by women, is an important task Mafurrawithin the study area, particularly where white mafurra is predominant such as in The small red type of ZavalaTRICHILIA and Chidenguele along EMETICA the National Highway EN1 (Estrada Nacional mafurra known as Número 1) (Figure 5). However, other varieties are equally sold, with the exception of the small red type of mafurra known as nhatxocote, which is tasteless and bitter. nhatxocote, is tasteless In comparing the three study areas, the respondents believe that Inharrime produces and bitter. and sells the least quantities and lowest quality of mafurra. They cited poor soils as the main reason. For instance, women respondents noted that if one brought seedlings from Chidenguele or Zavala to Inharrime, they would all die due to poor growing conditions.

Sellers off to the market with the mafurra in baskets Figure 5: Selling of mafurra fruit at a local roadside market in Chidenguele carried on their heads.

Mafurra commercialization is mainly done by poor household members, and by female-headed households but there are some households that sell mafurra because of its relative abundance during the peak harvest periods. Both male (34.6%) and female (37.8%) respondents reported that mafurra commercialization is mostly done by poor households for several reasons. They cited the high cost of living as having transformed rural life drastically such that in the past, families with more mafurra trees simply gave away fruit to their neighbors but that today, mafurra is seen as an alternative source of income and not offered free of charge. Mafurra trees are now closely guarded by families. From legal and traditional points of view and according to general local consensus, nobody is allowed to collect mafurra outside his/her home or field or private forest. Neighboring forests and fields are restricted to the relatives of ancient families and therefore, all the rights are reserved for such families. As pointed out earlier, commercialization of mafurra is mainly carried out by female members of the households. Before selling, mafurra is sorted according to color, size and in certain cases the external appearance of the fruit plays an important role in the pricing. The selling price varies according to the variety of mafurra, the size of the container, season, abundance and market location along the highway. Three sizes of containers are used to measure the amount of mafurra to be sold: small, medium and large. Small size containers of mafurra have an average weight of about 0.5 kg; medium container about 1.0 kg; and large container between 1.5 to 2.0 kgs. Table 3.6 illustrates mafurra prices and their by-products within the study area. 14 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

Table 3.6: Prices for different types of mafurra and their by-products within the study area

DISTRICT LOCAL NAMES FRESH MAFURRA PRICES (in Meticais) OR OF MAFURRA SMALL DISH MEDIUM DISH LARGE DISH STUDY AREA

Chidenguele Nhamadjavane (white) 15 000 - 20 000 30 000 - 50 000 70 000 - 80 000 Wobilivila (red normal) 5 000 - 10 000 20 000 - 25 000 40 000 - 50 000 Bape 15 000 - 20 000 30 000 - 40 000 60 000 - 80 000 Mafurra oil 20 000 - 50 000 Xibehe 1 000 - 2 000

Zavala Nhamadjavane (white) 15 000 40 000 - 50 000 80 000 Wobilivila (red normal) 10 000 25 000 - 30 000 50 000 Xibehe 500 - 1 000 Mafurra oil 40 000 - 80 000

Inharrime Nhamadjavane (white) 5 000 - 10 000 1 000 - 3 000 White mafurra. A colour Wobilivila (red normal) 5 000 - 10 000 1 000 - 2 500 image can be seen clearly Exchange rate: 1USD = MZM 20000 on the cover.

During the peak periods of mafurra, supply is often higher than demand thereby resulting in relatively low prices often decided by buyers. Given that the product has a short life span, and markets largely remain unregulated, producers are often forced to sell their mafurra at unfair and low prices.

According to the study results, white mafurra prices varies between 15000,00 – 20000,00 Mts for a small dish, between 30000,00 – 50000,00Mts for a medium size dish, and 70000,00 – 80000,00Mts for a large size dish. The price for the normal size red mafurra type varies between 5000,00 – 10000,00Mts for a small dish, 20000,00 – 30000,00Mts for a medium dish, and 40000,00 – 50000,00Mts for a large dish. According to the respondents, households sell on the average between 1-3 medium dishes per day. Assuming that an average household is able to sell a maximum of two medium size dishes per day, this translates into family income between 40000,00 Mts – 80000,00 Mts/day (USD2.0-4.0/day). This compares to an average wage labour of USD 0.5-1.0 per day. On special days when demand is high, a household may sell up to 4 or 5 medium size dishes or 3 to 4 large dishes, yielding between 80000,00 Mts to 150000,00 Mts per day/household for the normal red mafurra, or between 100000,00 Mts to 200000,00 Mts for the large size dish. However, it must be stated that not all households are able to obtain these income levels given the fluctuations in production, market opportunities and number of family members involved in the commercialization. In addition, not all production at household level is for sale, part is kept for further processing and/or immediate consumption. LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra by-products are sold on a very small scale due to their relative importance in household food security, particularly among low-income families who depend to a large extent on mafurra for their subsistence. The average quantity of mafurra oil produced by each householdMafurra in a season is about 10 litres per year but there are some households that fail to produce even 5 litres per year. Households that produce less than 5 litres per year oftenTRICHILIA prefer to keep all the oil EMETICAfor their consumption while those that produce more than 5 litres per year sell part of their oil at a price that varies between 50000,00 Mts – 80000,00 Mts per litre. The dry pulp by-product

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LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

(xibehe) is not for sale according to local traditions. In most cases, this by-product is offered for free to relatives and neighbours. However, some poor households, due to The study area is the need for extra income, sell this by-product at a price between 1000,00 Mts – probably the major Mafurra2000,00 Mts for 150g. Generally however, this by-product is for subsistence producer and supplier of consumptionTRICHILIA and not for sale. EMETICA mafurra to urban The main buyers of mafurra are women intermediate sellers from Maputo and Xai-Xai centers, such as cities where the demand is high. However, transit passengers and, in some cases, Maputo, Xai-Xai, local people are involved in the process of buying and selling mafurra. Local people Maxixe and will buy mafurra in case of wishing to eat a specific variety that they do not have or, alternatively, if they do not have mafurra trees nearby. This applies particularly in the Inhambane case of white mafurra that is less abundant in all the study areas. Local people will buy mafurra in very small quantities as they can still get it from neighbours or relatives for free. Although the study area is probably the major producer and supplier of mafurra to urban centers, such as Maputo, Xai-Xai, Maxixe and Inhambane, there are severe market constraints that can be highlighted. These include:

Lack of appropriate conservation methods for fresh mafurra in the markets, given that the fruit easily deteriorates due to exposure to sunlight and humidity in less than 24 hours. Sellers attempt to apply local conservation methods that include covering the product with leaves and branches as a way to avoid direct sunlight while waiting for buyers (Figure 6). The shade provided by these materials prolongs the lifespan of the product and guarantees its quality before sale. Large potted trees for However, in the event that the product is not sold within the same day, sellers sale. often take the products home for consumption, or dried for future transformation, or thrown away if the product has already deteriorated.

Figure 6: Illustration of local conservation methods of fresh mafurra during commercialization

Fresh mafurra is mostly sold along major roads where market demand depends on transit passengers. The danger of accidents is always high as the sellers are careless when crossing the roads. Every season there are deaths reported at mafurra markets due to road accidents. This was reported by 52.3% of male respondents.

Selling prices are in most cases imposed by intermediate sellers coming from major urban centres including Maputo, Xai-Xai, Inhambane and Maxixe. This translates into low incomes for local producers. This was reported by 52.9% of the female respondents. 16 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

The lack of a uniform pricing system among producers and sellers causes unnecessary competition amongst them. Pricing is dependent on personal needs and willingness to pay by the intermediate sellers. Both constraints were identified by female respondents.

Some passengers are reported to be opportunistic, as they wait until the vehicle is about to take off and then they pretend they want to buy. Once the produce is handed to the passenger the vehicle takes off without the seller receiving payment. This phenomenon was reported by 9.7% of male and 6% of female respondents as quite common and serious in the study area.

Lack of appropriate conservation methods for fresh mafurra was also identified by 15.7% of female respondents as a major constraint.

According to the intervieweess, intermediate sellers are buying mafurra at very low prices whereas resale prices in towns are significantly higher. All respondents agreed that the intermediate sellers are the ones benefiting more than the producers from the mafurra trade. To worsen the situation, mafurra prices fluctuate with the season and market conditions are reported to be of poor quality for the users’ needs. At the beginning and end of mafurra maturation, prices are higher than during the Damaged trunks like this middle of the season due to great abundance of the product. may often result in the The reduction of mafurra prices in towns and major urban centers is not sufficient to death of the tree. avoid continuous buying/selling by intermediaries as they also buy the products at low prices from producers in rural areas. Due to poor business and negotiation skills by rural producers, they have suffered from the low producer prices dictated by intermediaries.

3.5 SPECIES PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION

About 54.6% of men and 60.4% of women respondents reported that they planted mafurra from seed, rootstocks and in some cases from seedlings. According to the interviewees, one must know exactly which tree bears the desirable fruit attributes before planting a mafurra tree. The criteria for selecting mafurra trees to be planted are taste (sweetness), color, and size of fruits and seeds. Respondents recognize that seedlings found in the wild are not secure material for planting as the origin is unknown. Rootstocks were mentioned by 39.1% of male and 34.2% of female respondents as the most efficient material when propagating the white mafurra variety which often results in other hybrids if propagated from seed. Propagation from stem cuttings and seedlings was never mentioned by any of the respondents due to lack of knowledge LOCALon how to do it. Although INDIGENOUS plant vigor was not mentioned KNOWLEDGE as relevant for selection, both male and female interviewees recognized the need for healthy mother trees as an important attribute for successful propagation.

Propagation of desired mafurra types has suffered severe constraints due to limited technical assistance to the producersMafurra and hence the need to train extension workers and local trainers in propagation techniques.TRICHILIA According to EMETICAthe respondents, propagation of white mafurra from seed has often resulted in red mafurra bearing trees. They believe that if one wishes to propagate this variety from seed, s/he must not eat or remove the pulp before sowing. Otherwise, the new plant will change 17 WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTER - ICRAF

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

completely to the red variety. All interviewees recognized that vegetative propagation is the most secure method for the white mafurra variety, but survival rate is reported to be very low. Propagation by root consists of burning one extreme end of the root According to the Mafurrain order to conserve humidity and induce rapid coppicing or growth with frequent interviewees, the watering.TRICHILIA Women cited lack of EMETICAwater as a major constraint within the study area as homesteads are often located far away from sources of water. The little water they propagation of the white get is used for other pressing household needs such as drinking and cooking. mafurra variety from seed often results in the In contrast, the small size red mafurra, which is less preferred for direct consumption small size red mafurra. due to its bitter taste, propagates easily and adapts well to adverse conditions. Not surprisingly, this variety was found to be the most abundant in the study area. Respondents believe that this variety is as a result of weak reproductive capacity of the desired varieties of white and red. According to the interviewees, the propagation of the white mafurra variety from seed often results in the small size red mafurra. This is caused by hybridization from open pollination and the dominance of red color in the red variety. The long-term implication is that the white variety may become extinct unless proper measures are taken to ensure its successful domestication and propagation.

Mafurra seed that has been gently dried, that is, before subjecting the seed to sun and smoke drying, could also be used for propagation. However, respondents reported low germination rates with such seed compared to fresh seed. This could be explained by the fact that perhaps mafurra seed requires a certain level of mois- A typical market scene in ture content to ensure germination success. the study area. 3.6 PESTS AND DISEASES

Respondents identified some mafurra pests and diseases that attack the fruit and seed. The names of pests and diseases that occur in mafurra within the study area, as well as the percentage of men and women interviewed that referred to each pest/disease are presented in Table 3.7. The pests and diseases were only identified in the local language, and therefore, a detailed pathological study will be necessary to identify the causal agents, characterize them and describe their life cycles and infected parts of the plant. The most common pests/diseases that were frequently reported were xilha, sihelha, massossobuane, nhambonzuane, zihere, mipungo, jesse and sifule. These are local names, but they may be related to development stages of insects or pathogenes.

Table 3.7: Local names of pests and diseases common on mafurra within the study area and frequency of responses NAME OF % OF MALE % OF FEMALE PEST OR DISEASE RESPONDENTS RESPONDENTS (N=57) (N=92)

Xilha 63.5 47.8 Sihelha 10.4 23.7 Sterility 14.6 16.5 Massossobuane 4.2 6.7 Nhambodzuane 2.0 1.0 Zihere 1.3 0.0 Mipungo 1.3 0.0 Jesse 1.3 4.2 Sifule 1.3 0.0

18 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

From Table 3.7, xilha was the most cited Affected mafurra fruits or seeds are pest/disease by 63.5% of men and normally discarded during the selection 47.8% of women. Xilha is a parasite that process for household consumption and develops in mature mafurra tree sale. Sterility was reported by 14.6% of branches, which if left unchecked, may men as the second most important end up killing the tree in the long term. disease/condition that affects mafurra. Local disease control measures by households consist of cutting down the Table 3.8 provides a summarized branch of the tree that is affected. The description of the main mafurra pests other diseases that were frequently and diseases reported by respondents mentioned include nhamdzane, sterility, in the study area and the local control zeheri and sihelha. For some intervie- measures that are being applied. Some wees, sterile trees are considered to be pests and diseases are specific to the affected by pests or disease, hence its plant while others affect only the fruit inclusion in the list in this study. and seed. Although both male and Blackened spots indicating However, this could be separated in female respondents cited “sterility” as a leaves attacked by pests. further studies. pest/disease, it is recognized in this study that this is a resultant condition Sihelha was the second most important rather than a disease or pest itself. disease/pest mentioned by 23.7% of Control and combat measures reported women and the third most noted by men by interviewees were quite simple (10.4%). The term ‘sihelha’ means and do not involve use of chemical ‘something that destroys’, and is a pesticides. The most common methods general name given to insects that included removal of the affected part on attack not only mafurra seeds but also the tree or fruit. However, some pest and cereals such as maize and rice. It diseases still have no practical control attacks mafurra fruits and seed while measures, due to technical constraints green such that by the time of maturity, of the producers. fruits are already damaged and, therefore not suitable for consumption or sale.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Table 3.8: Description of common pests and diseases found on mafurra and some local control measures practiced by respondents within the study area While men were more MafurraPEST OR DESCRIPTION CONTROL OR concerned about DISEASE COMBAT TRICHILIA EMETICA MEASURES increased yields, women diseases found on mafurra and some A plant parasite that develops on mafurra Removing the affected branch from the Xilha local control measures practiced by respondents within the study area were more pre-occupied branches. In the long term, it may kill the tree. with the ease of tree. collecting fruit from Sihelha Insects that damage mafurra fruits or No control measure. Damaged fruits seeds. and seeds are removed before fresh smaller trees. consumption or selling

Sterility Infertile trees. Even if the trees flower, Cutting down the whole tree to avoid they eventually do not bear fruit. pollen exchange with normal trees.

Nhambodzuane Larvae that make holes in the stem there- Manually removing the larvae from the by affecting transportation of water and plant. But most people do nothing. mineral nutrients in the tree. In the long term, the tree may die.

Zihere Larvae that attack maturing fruits and No measure taken. seeds.

Massossobuane Larvae that cause damage in mafurra Cutting down the tree. stem, causing tree death.

Sifule Insects that cause damage to green None. mafurra fruit.

Mipungo Grey larvae that attack mafurra fruits. Selecting and separating damaged fruits.

Jesse Insects causing damage to the stem or Removing the infected branches of branches. mafurra and killing the insects A mafurra seedling physically. planted in the field.

3.7 MAFURRA POTENTIALS AND TRAITS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Table 3.9 illustrates the traits that were identified by the respondents for improvement. As it can be noted from the table, there was no clear trend in the selection of potential characteristics for improvement by the respondents. On one hand, they indicated a wide range of characteristics that producers would like to see improved in mafurra while on the other hand, they preferred a number of characteristics to be improved simultaneously. This could be attributed to the fact the respondents did not clearly comprehend the question despite the research team having re-phrased it in many different ways as an open-ended question. Despite these difficulties, the research team was able to obtain some information on potential traits for improvement.

20 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

The majority of men (15.8%) preferred trees that would fruit more than once a year while for women (15.6%), the most preferred trait was trees of smaller size. While men were more concerned about increased yields, women were more pre-occupied about ease of collecting fruit from smaller trees. Of second preference for women (14.2%) were trees that are resistant to pests and diseases while for men (13.3%) it was prolonged period of fruit maturation. It is interesting to note that in both cases above, men are more concerned about issues of supply while women are more pre- occupied with issues related to the quality of trees. Traits less frequently mentioned included varieties bearing fruits in different seasons which was noted by 1.3% of women and 0.7% of men while fast maturity was never mentioned by men but by 0.4% of women. Results from the interviews equally revealed some uniform tendencies with respect to certain characteristics suggested for improvement, including sweetness or taste, precocity, appropriate fruit size, and trees bearing more fruit. Notable was 6.7 % of male and 7.6 % of female respondents who had nothing to say Propagating mafurra for in relation to this aspect. sale in local communities.

Given that the maturity season for mafurra coincides with the rain season, measures and improvement strategies may include interventions that control water availability in order to obtain fruits that may last longer for marketing and fresh use. Therefore, the fruiting period should not coincide with maturity season in order to reduce production losses.

Table 3.9: Priority traits identified by respondents for improvement to enhance mafurra production within the study area

PRIORITY TRAITS % OF MALE % OF FEMALE FOR RESPONDENTS RESPONDENTS IMPROVEMENT (n=57) (n=92)

Growing smaller trees 10.2 15.6 Growing trees that are resistant to pests and disease 10.7 14.2 Trees fruiting more than once a year 15.8 12.0 Prolonged period of fruit maturation 13.3 10.5 Sweetness of taste 6.7 8.7 Precocity 8.7 8.0 Have no idea 6.7 7.6 Appropriate fruit size 5.9 6.2 Late maturation 7.3 5.8 Propagation techniques for white mafurra 2.6 4.4 Trees bearing no fruit 3.8 4.4 Fruits with more pulp and smaller fruits 7.0 1.5 Varieties bearing fruits in different seasons 1.3 0.7 Fast maturity 0.0 0.4

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE 3.8 THE CONTRIBUTION OF MAFURRA TO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY Depending on the Mafurra quantities of mafurra MafurraTRICHILIA is a very important fruit EMETICA tree particularly among rural communities in harvested, the fruit can southern Mozambique. Some 94.6% of the interviewees affirmed that they ate provide a secure food mafurra to alleviate hunger and supplement their diets particularly during periods of food shortages (March – September). The method of preparing mafurra for direct source throughout the consumption is quite simple by soaking in cold water for at least 10-20 minutes or for year, particularly the oil less that 10 minutes in warm water. This ease of preparation allows children to have extract used for cooking ready access to this highly nutritive fruit.

purposes. Mafurra that has been prepared fresh is a substitute for many condiments in the basic diet of rural communities including groundnuts, commercial cooking oil and coconut oil used to season fish, meat, vegetables and cassava. For instance, during the fruiting season households without groundnuts have used the milky substrate from mafurra as a substitute in preparing soups. Depending on the quantities of mafurra harvested, the fruit can provide a secure food source throughout the year particularly the oil extract for cooking purposes. The pulp (xibehe) is also used to season foods and prepare soups which are highly appreciated by the Chope people. Vegetables are mixed with the pulp and eaten with maize meal porridge (xima), rice, and cassava throughout the year (Figure 7).

A local rural nursery growing mafurra seedlings.

Figure 7: Consumption of boiled cassava dipped in mafurra oil (munhantsi) over breakfast

As pointed out earlier, mafurra fruits and oil extracts are also sold to generate extra cash income. Households spend the extra income on other food items such as fish, meat, and milk, thereby contributing to food security throughout the year. Some 89.3% of the interviewees also confirmed that they used the extra cash income from sale of mafurra products to buy other basic family needs such as soap, salt, sugar, school materials, medicines and sometimes re-invested in agricultural activities. Table 3.10 demonstrates how mafurra products contribute to food security in the study area throughout the year in comparison to other products common in the area such as vegetables and groundnuts.

22 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

Tabela 3.10: Contribution of mafurra to food security and improved local diets

CROP / MONTHS (period of existence) PRODUCT JFMASOND MJJA

Vegetables (pumpkin leaves, bean leaves, bitterleaf, sweet potato leaves, etc.)

Groundnuts

Fresh mafurra (condiment)

Processed mafurra (oil, pulp

Some male interviewees believe that mafurra products may have a very high international market potential, although it is currently not being commercialized. Mafurra seeds being Several organizations in the region including CPWILD (South Africa), PhytoTrade prepared for propagation. (Zimbabwe), SAFIRE (Zimbabwe), and ASNAPP (Zambia) are exploring ways of commercializing a variety of natural plant products from indigenous forests. In addition to the wood being used for carvings that are sold in many countries within and outside the region, fresh mafurra fruits are sometimes sold in Swaziland and South Africa during the fruiting season. This may be an important source of income for rural households and the country as a whole. In urban centers, many households have mafurra trees from which they also derive many benefits including income from sale in urban markets.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

23 24 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. Mafurra

4. Conclusions and Recommendations

4.1. CONCLUSIONS

This study draws the following conclusions and makes the following recommendations with respect to Trichilia emetica - Mafurra:

Mafurra varieties commonly found within the study area are white (nhamadjavane), normal size and red (wobilivila), small size and red (nhatxocote), mixed red/white type or hybrid and normal size (wopatela), bigger size and red type (bape), and the normal size and red, but without an aril (nhamapfumete);

Mafurra can be characterized as a ‘women’s fruit tree’ as women are predominantly involved in its propagation, fruit processing, and marketing. Therefore, any programme dealing with mafurra ought to involve women in the full cycle;

The most preferred type for eating while fresh by local households is the white and normal sized mafurra (nhamajavane), whereas for processing into mafurra by-products such as oil and dry pulp, the most preferred is the small size red type (nhatxocote);

Mafurra processing is predominantly undertaken by women and based on production of oil, commonly known as munhatsiLOCAL and edible pulp INDIGENOUS rolls called xibehe. These products KNOWLEDGE are important for household food and income securitiesMafurra within the study area; TRICHILIA EMETICA

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LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

Commercialization of fresh mafurra is predominantly done by women producers Propagation techniques and users in local markets and along the roads, particularly along the National such as cloning, stem Highway Number 1 (Estrada Nacional Número 1). This has provided women with Mafurraextra cash income that they control at household level. Most mafurra buyers are cuttings and grafting intermediariesTRICHILIA in the market EMETICAchain who come from major urban centers involving could go a long way in mostly women. Selling prices vary according to location, market opportunities and improving some of the type of mafurra and are often set by intermediate wholesalers rather than by producers. Producers are not yet organized into groups and therefore, do not have traits identified by the one voice. Quantities for sale are measured using plastic bowls, categorized as respondents such as; small, medium and big. small fruit tree size, Mafurra is mainly propagated from seed and roots. A few households are also precocity, fast maturity propagating white mafurra from seedlings, albeit with little success as it is highly and more fruit bearing. prone to hybridization. Propagation techniques such as cloning, stem cuttings and grafting could go a long way in improving some of the traits identified by the respondents such as small fruit tree size, precocity, fast maturity and more fruit bearing.

The most common mafurra pest/disease is known as xilha, which is a plant parasite that grows on mafurra branches and may kill the plant in the long term. Good silvicultural practices such as pruning could help mitigate the impacts of xilha.

Potential traits that were cited by respondents for mafurra improvement included growing of smaller trees, followed by growing mafurra trees that are resistant to pests and diseases, and trees that bear fruits more than once a year. These traits Washing the mafurra are consistent with good horticultural and tree management practices. seeds prior to processing. Women are more involved than men in the cultivation, harvest, processing, and commercialization of mafurra which contributes to household incomes, food and nutritional securities.

The major constraint faced by producers is long-term conservation of the mafurra fruit. Improved low-cost technologies such as solar driers could go a long way in assuring mafurra fruit availability off-season, value addition and increased household incomes. Other technologies would include those for preserving mafurra fruit and its by-products in fresh form.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

From the foregoing conclusions, the following recommendations are drawn:

There is a need to conduct a detailed study of physiological and chemical (nutritional) properties of the different types of mafurra that were identified in this study. This will help in the promotion of required varieties/types by local users, as well as for marketing purposes. This study may complement existing information from research that was done during colonial time. Baseline study may take a monographic format, aiming to provide full technical information about these

26 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

valuable native species. This could involve a consortium of partners including the Agronomic Research Institute of Mozambique (ARIM), the Trees and Markets theme of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), the Ministry of Health, MEDI- MOC, TECHNOSERV, the Department of Chemistry at the University Eduardo Mondlane, and the Non-Timber Forest Products Section in the Forestry Department at FAO-Rome.

There is a need to improve mafurra processing methods, as current methods are very problematic and time consuming for women. New gender sensitive technologies may include industrial processing with the aim of producing final quality products for local consumption and markets involving for example, the team contacted by the consultant Alexia Baldaccini in the consultancy on the forest project on jam production, MEDIMOC. Seeds washed and There is need to select and domesticate the best varieties that could be used ready for propagation. according to local needs. This includes selection of best mafurra genotypes and phenotypes and establishment of clonal seed orchards as well as local capacity building in best-bet horticultural, nursery and tree management practices.

Priority areas or traits for improvement identified in this study must be followed up by participatory applied research. These include the promotion of smaller size trees identified as a first priority by women, multi-annual-fruiting varieties, and pest/disease resistant mafurra trees. ARTSC-Nelspruit in South Africa and ICRAF could take a lead role on these aspects.

There is a need to study the mafurra market chain in detail when the fruit is in season in order to help assess variance in product pricing and household income, including other mafurra uses that were probably not identified in this study. Of importance is to assess possibilities of industrialization using low-cost and labour- saving technologies such as solar driers, solar-powered coolers, and quality control techniques for various products.

There is a need to conduct pre-germination tests on mafurra seed in order to determine levels and conditions for increased germination percentage, particularly since this is a major constraint in propagating the white mafurra variety.

Undertake a study on biological pesticides and efficient cultural methods to combat pests and diseases that attack mafurra, disseminate results, and provide capacity to women groups and extensionists as local trainers and change agents. This could be undertaken by ICRAF and ARIM.

Given that women areLOCAL more involved than INDIGENOUS men in the production, harvest, KNOWLEDGE processing and marketing of mafurra product, it is important to mobilize women into producer groups with skills to engage in business. This task could be undertaken locally by TECHNOSERV.Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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ANNEX 1: FIELD SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

SECTION A: BIODATA

1. Name of enumerator: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Name of respondent: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Age of respondent: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Date: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Locality (village): –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– District: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Province: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Gender of respondent: Male Female Occupation: Farmer ¤¤Civil servant ¤¤Trader ¤¤Unemployed ¤¤¤ Other (state) ¤–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SECTION B: COMPOSITION OF HOUSEHOLD

2. What is the total number of members in your households? –––––––––––––––––– 3. Of the total number above, how many are: men women children friends workers

SECTION C: PERCEPTIONS AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

4. Which varieties of mafurra trees exist in your local area?

LOCAL NAME LANGUAGE BOTANICAL NAME

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

5. Do you remember other varieties that existed in the past but you no longer have in your area? 1. No 2. Yes If yes, fill in the following information:

LOCAL NAME PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

28 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

6. At what time of the year do the mafurra varieties mentioned above flower and fruit (reproductive calendar)?

VARIETY NAME MONTH FLOWERING FRUIT SETTING FRUIT RIPENING HARVEST –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

7. From the mafurra fruit varieties mentioned above, which one do you prefer to eat and what are the other uses?

VARIETY PREFERRED BOTANICAL NAME OTHER NAME TO EAT –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

8. Who eats mafurra in your household? Men Women Children

9. Why do you eat mafurra? 1. Hunger , 2. for nutritional reasons , 3. for health reasons , 4. for a snack , 5. other reasons (please specify) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

10. When do you eat mafurra? 1. Throughout the year , 2. When in season , 3. In periods of food shortage If 3 above, when? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

11. Have you always/ever eaten mafurra? 1. Yes 2. No

12. Are thereMafurra households who eat/sell more mafurra than others? 1. Yes 2. NoTRICHILIA EMETICA

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13. If yes, which households are these? 1. Female-headed households 2. Poor households 3. Households with sick family members

SECTION D: MARKETING INFORMATION

14. Does your household sell mafurra fruits? 1. Yes 2. No

15. Who in your household is responsible for selling the mafurra fruits? 1. Men 2. Women 3. Children

16. At what price are the mafurra fruits sold (MT per kilo)? ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

17. Where are they sold? 1. Local market 2. Other markets specify –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

18. Do you sort out mafurra fruits before selling ? 1. Yes 2. No

19. If yes, how do you grade mafurra fruits for sale? 1. No grading (sorting) 2. According to colour 3. According to size 4. Other (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

20. Who is responsible for sorting mafurra fruits in your household? 1. Men 2. Women 3. Children

21. From where are the people that buy mafurra fruits come from? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

22. Who buys mafurra fruits? 1. Men 2. Women 3. Children

23. Are there specific constraints in selling mafurra? 1. Yes , 2. No

24. If yes, explain the constraint(s) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

30 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

25. From where do you get mafurra fruits to sell? 1. Forest 2. Own farm 3. Neighbour/relative’s farm 4. Market

26. Do you think the local communities have free access to the area indicated above? 1. Yes 2. No

27. If no, what type of ownership is currently applicable ? a) Communal ownership, where members of the community have free access b) Private ownership by individuals or groups, with restricted access c) Family land, where only family members have access d) Public ownership (govt.), where anyone can access freely e) Buffer zones or conserved forest lands where access is permitted, under certain regulations f) Protected land where access is prohibited g) Others (explain) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SECTION E: PRODUCT AND PROCESSING INFORMATION

28. Do you process mafurra fruits ? Yes No

29. Who is responsible for processing mafurra fruits in your household? 1. Men 2. Women 3. Children

30. If yes, into what products do you process mafurra fruits? 1. Fruit juice 2. Local gin (distilled) 3. Wine (fermented) 4. As food additive 5. Jam 6. Oil 7. Yoghurts 8. Nuts 9. Other (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

31. Who makes use of these products? 1. Men 2. Women 3. Children

32. Describe the local methods used in processing (specify each product and specie involved)LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––Mafurra 33. Why do you processTRICHILIA mafurra fruit? EMETICA 1. To store for later use 2. For better consumption 3. For sale 4. Other reasons (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 31 WORLD AGROFORESTRY CENTER - ICRAF

34. How do you store mafurra fruits in order to increase their shelf life? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SECTION F: PROPAGATION AND CULTIVATION

35. Do you plant mafurra trees? 1. Yes 2. No

36. If yes, what plant material do you use? 1. seed 2. stem 3. roots 4. seedlings 5. graft

37. What criterion (criteria) do you use to select mafurra trees to plant? 1. Sweetness 2. Fruit size 3. Fruit colour 4. Tree vigor 5. Others (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

38. Where do you plant? 1. On farm 2. In home garden 3. Other (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

SECTION G: PESTS AND DISEASES

39. Are there some pests and/or diseases which attack mafurra trees or fruits? 1. Yes 2. No

40. If yes, fill the table below.

PEST NAME DISEASE NAME DESCRIPTION HOW DO YOU CONTROL?

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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SECTION H: TRAITS FOR IMPROVEMENT

41. Supposing the researchers are interested in improving mafurra trees, what traits would you want improved (interviewer to explain in detail)? 1. Size 2. Taste 3. Precocity 4. Early ripening 5. Late ripening 6. Shorter trees 7. Tree fruits more than once 8. Extended ripening period 9. Pest resistant trees 10. Other (specify) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

42. In your opinion, what are the general constraints in cultivating and utilizing mafurra products? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

43. Do you have any questions/issues you would like this or future research to address? –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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ANNEX 2: NAMES OF INTERVIEWEES BY GENDER, AGE, OCCUPATION AND STUDY AREA LOCATION

No. A: ChidengueleAge Administrative Post, Manjacaze District

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A: Chidenguele Administrative Post, Manjacaze District (continued…) No. Age

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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No. Age

Zavala District No. Age

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A: Chidenguele Administrative Post, Manjacaze District (…..continued)

B: Zavala District (cont...) No. Age

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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B: Zavala District (cont...)

Zavala District (..cont.) No. Age

Inharrime District No. Age

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C: Inharrime District (cont...)

No. Age

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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C: Inharrime District (cont...)

No. Age

40 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

ANNEX 3: FLOWERING, MATURATION AND HARVESTING SEASON OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF MAFURRA ACCORDING TO INTERVIEWEES IN INHARRIME, ZAVALAAND CHIDENGUELE DISTRICTS.

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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42 Trichilia emetica, Vahl. MAFURRA

LOCAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE Mafurra TRICHILIA EMETICA

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