Case of Allanblackia Floribunda Oliver
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International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences Volume 3, Issue 6, 2016, PP 9-20 ISSN 2394-5885 (Print) & ISSN 2394-5893 (Online) Valorisation of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP): Case of Allanblackia Floribunda Oliver Tchinmegni F. I.1*, Tsobeng A. C.2, Ngonkeu M. E. L.1,3,4, Tchoundjeu Z.1,2 1Higher Institute of Environmental Science (HIES), Cameroon 2World Agroforestry Centre, Cameroon 3Université de Yaoundé I, Cameroon 4Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Cameroon ABSTRACT Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are of significant nutritional, economic and cultural importance for the people of central Africa. However, many products have not yet been the subject of scientific studies; such is the case of Allanblackia floribunda. Although very little is known about this species, it has many uses and its fruits are regularly eaten and marketed by various communities. Cultivation of this tree species remains however very limited, mainly because of the low germination potential of its seeds. Its wood, renowned for its termite resistance, is used locally for construction. Mechanical tests conducted on the timber have put its technological aptitudes to the fore; it has indeed the potential to become one of the most sought-after commercial species. As in the future, Allanblackia floribunda could be managed for its wood as well as its non timber products, in-depth studies aiming at the sustainable development of this natural resource need to be implemented. Keywords: Allanblackia floribunda, Non-timber forest products, Uses INTRODUCTION In Africa, non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have, for centuries, played a food and commercial role. They still contribute today to the poverty reduction and food security of forest dwellers and suburban forest of Central Africa. Indeed, many plant extracts of natural environments usefully complement agricultural production. As Bahuchet (2000) highlights, rural African communities have excellent traditional knowledge about the value and properties of many plant species still underutilized. These are wild or cultivated plants whose potential value has been little exploited commercially, but which are a food and economic survival of support for local populations (Gandari, 2008). These underutilized resources include traditional African vegetables (eg Cleome gynandra L., Solanum tarderemotum Bitter, etc.), medicinal plants (Tabernanthe iboga Baill., Artemisia Afra Jacq., Etc.), oilseeds [Schinziophyton rautanenii (Schinz) Radcl.-Sm., Coula edulis., etc.]. The lack of scientific and technical information (distribution, ecology, uses, domestication, improvement of production, harvesting, processing and trade opportunities) on these neglected resources is probably the biggest constraint to their valuation (Zohoun et al., 2002). However, in recent years, some species such Gnetum africanum Viz., Adansonia digitata L., Moringa oleifera Lam., Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn., Baillonella toxisperma Pierre experiencing renewed interest. Today, we better realize their contribution to the household economy and food security, national economies and certain environmental objectives such as the conservation of biodiversity (FAO, 2010). This literature review aims to assess the state of knowledge on these little-known species: wild cocoa from Africa (Allanblackia floribunda Oliv). The first part will be on the concept of non-timber forest product and its importance for the people of Central Africa. The biology of wild cocoa from Africa will then be processed, emphasizing on its botanical and ecological characteristics. The Allanblackia floribunda propagation attempts will be addressed and ethnobotanical aspects of the case will be reviewed, in particular exposing the many uses of this species. Finally, some research perspectives will be identified with a view to better utilization of the species. THE CONCEPT OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT (NTFP) "The NTFP means any biological resource, and any merchant service, except all forms of softwood lumber from the forest or other ecosystems with similar functions" (Chandrasekharan, 1995). For International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Biosciences V3● I6● 2016 9 Tchinmegni F. I “Valorisation of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP): Case of Allanblackia Floribunda Oliver” Turgeon (2003), NTFPs include all forest products other than timber traditionally used in the processing industry for timber or pulp. This definition imply that various species of timber also provide NTFP. Simpler terminologies have also been proposed by other authors whose Drainville (1996) suggests that "non-traditional forest resources" or Andel (2006) which advance the terms "non- timber trees product" or "agroforestry products." However, FAO's definition (1999) is perhaps the most complete, "NTFP are products of biological origin other than wood derived from forests, other wooded land and trees outside forests. NTFPs can be harvested from the wild or produced in forest plantations and agroforestry schemes, or trees outside forests. Their uses are varied: food and food additives (edible nuts, sap, mushrooms, fruits, herbs, spices and condiments, aromatic plants, game meat), fibers (used in construction, furniture, clothing or utensils), resins, gums, and plant and animal products used for medicinal, cosmetic or cultural. “For their part, Wong et al. (2001) summarize the situation as follows: a key element in the definition of NTFP is that they exclude timber and firewood, and the product, benefit or service, must come from a forest, or tree on non-forest land. At the heart of the concept, there is the idea that the product is of interest for use in human society. As such, any part of any plant or animal, harvested for use, can be described as NTFPs. As part of this review, we'll stick to vegetable NTFP, mushrooms excluded. Historically, man uses and consumes non-timber forest products. Formerly designated as "wild foods" or "juvenile products", NTFP represented all plant resources that were not essential to the European economy, except some NTFPs for industry (acacia, rubber, resin, ivory). Currently, their socio- economic importance is universally recognized, particularly in the countries covered by forests. According to the World Health Organization, the "wild" plants involved in meeting the health needs and alimentation, and supply 80% of people living in developing countries (Andel, 2006). Globally, FAO (2004a) states that 1.6 billion people depend on forest resources for living and 1.2 billion of them living in developing countries, use or exploit trees for alimentation or marketing. Regionally, the same organization estimates that 1.5 million Brazilian Amazon derive part of their income from NTFPs. In Central Africa, 86 million people live in or near tropical and rely on natural resources forests for a significant part of their diet (Eba'a Atyi et al., 2008). Other figures illustrate the local significance that sometimes has NTFPs : in India, we estimate at 50 million the number of people living mainly in NTFP (Poffenberger, 1996). Zohoun et al. (2002) report that the marketing of the four main NTFPs in the forest area of Benin (Vitellaria paradoxa, Irvingia gabonensis Baill., Cola acuminita Schott & Endl. And Ricinus communis L.) generated an income of at least 2 billion Francs CFA for just half of 1998. They also estimate that more than 3,200 merchants are engaged in the distribution of NTFPs. In the forest region of southern Ghana, Townson (1995) estimated that 258,000 people, or 20% of the economically active population, earn a portion of their revenue from NTFPs. Other African NTFPs are subject to an international marketing importance, as is the case of Prunus africana Hook.f. only known cure prostate cancer (Wong et al., 2001), butter shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), the "green gold for women in the Sahel" (Andel, 2006), or of Jatropha curcas L., future biofuels (FAO, 2008). IMPORTANCE OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFPS) IN CENTRAL AFRICA The importance of food, cultural and commercial NTFP for the peoples of Central Africa has been well documented over the past two decades. Mention will be made, by way of example, the work of Hladik et al. (1996), Vivien et al. (1996), Tchatat (1999), Meregini (2005), Mbolo (2006), Tabuna (2007). NWFP, in the eyes of local people, the most obvious manifestation of the value of the forest. They are useful in their effect from two points of view: they are a source of income and are suppliers of many products used in food, pharmacopoeia, construction, craft. According Noubissie et al. (2008), the relationship between the peoples of Central African Forests (Pygmy and Bantu) and forest ecosystems is of the order of mystic and an integral part of their cultures. The contribution of NTFPs to national economies of Central African countries is not negligible either. Tabuna (1999) estimates that in 1997 the market of Central African NTFP towards some Western countries (UK, France, Portugal, Belgium and Spain) accounted for 3 475 tonnes per year and an annual turnover equivalent to $ 96 million. According to this author, the annual export of Gnetum sp. to France and Belgium exceeded 100 tons for a market value of more than $ 3.07 million. In 1998, export Prunus africana bark to Europe and North America reported 700 000 USD in Cameroon and 200 million USD to the pharmaceutical North (Ainge et al., 2001). If international opportunities exist for some NTFPs (acacia, rubber, ivory, etc.) since the colonial period, local markets are much older 10