Title Enhancing capacity building for reproductive knowledge and product marketing for Adansonia digitata L to improve rural livelihoods in Malawi PI Associate Professor Chimuleke Rowland Yagontha Munthali (PhD) Mzuzu University, Private Bag 201, Luwinga, Mzuzu 2. Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Tel: Office +265 1320081; mobile +265 888304113 Co-Researchers Dr. Chanyenga Tembo Forestry Research Institute of Malawi Email: [email protected], Tel: +265999871195 or +2651524548 Dr Mavuto Tembo Mzuzu University Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Land Management department Email: [email protected], Tel: +265997376822 Mr Leonard manda Mzuzu university, Faculty of education, Department of Biological Sciences Email: [email protected], Tel: +265884713714 Associate Professor Victor Kasulo Director of Research Mzuzu University Email: [email protected], Tel: +265888343494 Dr. Wales Singini Faculty of Environmental Sciences Fisheries department, Mzuzu University Email: [email protected] Tel: +265888340793 Mr Joel Luhanga Forestry Department Faculty of Environmental Sciences 1 The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Mzuzu University Email: [email protected] Tel: +265999652725 Mrs Jarret Mhango Forestry Department Faculty of Environmental Sciences Mzuzu University Email: [email protected] Tel: +265999374389 Mr Victor Msiska Forestry Department Faculty of Environmental Sciences Mzuzu University Email: [email protected] Tel: +265999185950 Purpose The purpose of the study will be to generate knowledge on the contribution of the baobab tree to the livelihoods of rural communities, through understanding its value chain and reproductive biology that could help in its domestication, improvement and management in order to sustain tree productivity in agroforestry systems. Project Adansonia digitata L (Baobab) is indigenous in the drier areas of summary Africa occurring in about 26 countries. Both formal and informal trade in baobab products is currently taking place in southern Africa contributing to the economic improvement of rural communities. Knowledge in reproductive biology will have direct bearing on the sustainable supply of the baobab resource. Farmers can be encouraged to plant baobab only when the precocity is shortened, unlike the case when seedlings are for propagation. This is one way of assuring speedy and sustainable supply of baobab resource for a variety of current and potential end-uses at domestic, national, regional and international spheres. Full benefits to tree owners and entrepreneurs could be attained once information on supply and value chain is assembled. The proposed project aims at developing knowledge that would enhance supply of baobab products leading to improved livelihoods of communities. This will be achieved through generating new knowledge on the reproductive biology of baobab, refining vegetative propagation technologies and optimizing baobab value chain to improve livelihoods. The project will be carried out together with rural communities in four selected 2 The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) baobab populations in Malawi. Further, the project will involve two MSc students for two years supported by four undergraduate students. Participating Forestry Research Institute of Malawi institutions Start Date November 2014 End Date October,2016 Amount of US$64,234 funding 3 The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Chimuleke Rowland Yagontha Munthali (PhD) Dr. Chimuleke Munthali is an alumni of University of Malawi, and University of Stellenbosch with academic training in Agriculture and Forest science at the respective institutions. He is presently working as an Associate Professor in Forestry at Mzuzu University. Further, he is Head for Forestry Department in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences. He has expertise in tree improvement, genetics, research methods and biometry, botany and silviculture (Seed Technology and Tree Nursery Practice). Dr. Chimuleke is involved in supervision of research projects for BSc. and MSc. students. He has undertaken research in tree improvement, indigenous woodland management and seed technology while serving as Forestry Research Officer in the Government of Malawi. He was also coordinator of research in Seed and Tree Improvement Strategy focus area which was mandated to produce genetically and physiologically high quality seed for afforestation operations in Malawi. Dr. Chimuleke has coordinated research under the Miombo Edible Fungi Project (biodiversity and marketing) which had an ultimate aim to commercialise indigenous mushrooms as a means of generating income for people surrounding forest reserves. He has passion in reproductive biology and commercialisation of indigenous fruit trees, with particular reference to Adansonia digitata. Selected publications Munthali, C.R.Y., Chirwa, P.W., & Akinnifesi, F.K. (2013). Genetic differentiation and diversity of Adansonia digitata L (baobab) in Malawi using microsatellite markers. Agroforestry Systems Journal. DOI 10. 1007/s10457-012-9528-2. Munthali, C.R.Y., Chirwa, P.W., & Akinnifesi, F.K. (2012). Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed morphology of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) in five selected wild populations in Malawi. Agroforestry Systems Journal. DOI 10.1007/s10457- 012-9500-1. Munthali, C.R.Y., Chirwa, P.W., & Akinnifesi, F.K. (2012). Genetic variation among and within provenances of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) in seed germination and seedling growth from selected natural populations in Malawi. Agroforestry Systems Journal. DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9472-6. Munthali, C.R.Y. (2012). Use, Physiology and Genetic Characterisation of selected natural populations of Adansonia digitata in Malawi. PhD Thesis. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Kasulo, V., Mwabumba, L., & Munthali, C.R.Y. 2009. A review of edible orchids in Malawi. Journal of Horticulture and Forestry Vol. 1 (7): 133-139. 4 The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) Mwitwa, J.P., Munthali, C.R.Y., & Van Wyk, G. (2007). Half-sib family variation in shoot and root traits of seedlings of Pterocarpus angolensis (Family: Fabacea; syn. Papilionaceae). Southern Hemisphere Forestry Journal, 69(2): 91 – 94. 5 The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) .