Tree domestication in tropical agroforestry

Simons, A.J., and Leakey, R.R.B. (2004) Tree domestication in tropical agroforestry. Agroforestry Systems, 61 (1-3). pp. 167-181.

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Abstract

We execute tree ‘domestication’ as a farmer-driven and market-led process, which matches the intraspecific diversity of locally important trees to the needs of subsistence farmers, product markets, and agricultural environments. We propose that the products of such domesticated trees are called Agroforestry Tree Products (AFTPs) to distinguish them from the extractive tree resources commonly referred to as non-timber forest products (NTFPs). The steps of such a domestication process are: selection of priority species based on their expected products or services; definition of an appropriate domestication strategy considering the farmer-, market-, and landscape needs; sourcing, documentation and deployment of germplasm (seed, seedlings or clonal material); and tree improvement research (tree breeding or cultivar selection pathways). The research phase may involve research institutions on their own or in participatorymode with the stakeholders such as farmers or communities.Working directly with the end-users is advantageous towards economic, social and environmental goals, especially in developing countries. Two case studies (Prunus africana and Dacryodes edulis) are presented to highlight the approaches used for medicinal and fruit-producing species. Issues for future development include the expansion of the program to a wider range of species and their products and the strengthening of the links between product commercialization and domestication. It is important to involve the food industry in this process, while protecting the intellectual property rights of farmers to their germplasm.

Item ID: 5715
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1572-9680
Keywords: tree domestication; tropical agroforestry; agroforestry tree products (AFTPs); Dacryodes edulis; genetic improvement; participatory appraisal; Prunus africana; tree breeding
Date Deposited: 22 Dec 2009 05:15
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0799 Other Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences > 079999 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 100%
SEO Codes: 82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8202 Horticultural Crops > 820214 Tropical Fruit @ 50%
82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8202 Horticultural Crops > 820299 Horticultural Crops not elsewhere classified @ 25%
82 PLANT PRODUCTION AND PLANT PRIMARY PRODUCTS > 8201 Forestry > 820101 Hardwood Plantations @ 25%
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