DOMESTICATION OFDACRYODES EDULIS: STATE-OF-THE-ART

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Abstract
Dacryodes edulis is one of the important local fruit tree species of West and Central Africa. This paper reviews the activities of a regional programme to domesticate high-value indigenous fruit trees in the region. This programme is coordinated by the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and implemented in Cameroon in collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), National Agricultural Extension and Research Programme (PNVRA) agents and NGOs and universities of the region. It is based on a participatory approach to domestication that is in marked contrast to that of food crop domestication under the Green Revolution. The participatory process with farmers started with priority setting between species, progressed to germplasm collection and the establishment of village nurseries for clonal propagation of superior trees, and is currently involved in the selection of superior trees for cultivar development. Work is also in progress on post-harvest processing, market development and the integration of cultivars into agroforestry systems.