Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Tanzania, and ninth in Zambia. In fact, many of the species with the highest
preference scores were mentioned as important by only a few farmers. For
example, Adansonia digitata was mentioned as important by only 10% of the
sample in Tanzania, reflecting its limited geographical spread. Nevertheless, it tied
with U. kirkiana for the highest preference score, reflecting its importance among
the farmers who used it (Kadzere et al ., 1998). Azanza garckeana and Flacourtia
indica were important for at least 10% of farmers in each of three countries in the
region: Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. However, they had relatively low
preference scores: Azanza ranked 11th in Malawi and 13th in Zambia and
Flacourtia ranked sixth and ninth. A few species were very important in only one
or two countries. Anisophyllea boehmii was important for 75% of the
respondents in Zambia, with the eighth highest preference score, but was not
mentioned in any other country. Vitex mombassae and Tamarindus indica were
preferred by 46% and 33% in Tanzania, respectively, and received the second
and third highest preference scores in that country (Kadzere et al ., 1998).
The survey also revealed important findings about the processing of the
different indigenous fruit species. Among the five most important species across
the region ( U. kirkiana , P. curatellifolia , S. cocculoides , A. garckeana and F.
indica ), four are made into jams, and three each are used to prepare alcoholic
drinks or juices, or are ground into powder for mixing with other foods
(Kadzere et al ., 1998). Two are dried, two are used to prepare porridge, and
from one ( P. curatellifolia ) oil is extracted from its nut. Of major importance is
the finding that all five of the most important species are harvested just before
or during the region's 'hunger period' (Akinnifesi et al ., 2004). Farmers have
confirmed that indigenous fruits are indeed important components of the
'coping strategies' that farmers use during times of famine (Akinnifesi et al .,
2004). Indigenous fruit pulp and nuts of P. curatellifolia and sometimes U.
kirkiana are pounded and mixed with small amounts of cereal flour to make
the regional food staple ('sadza' or 'nshima') (Kadzere et al ., 1998).
Like most agroforestry trees, all five of the most important species had
multiple uses; all were used for medicine, crafts, fuelwood and construction.
Two each were used for shade, as ornamentals, or for browsing by livestock.
Farmers' improvement objectives
Farmers mentioned fruit and tree traits that they wanted researchers to improve.
Concerning the fruits, farmers' priorities focused on improving taste and
increasing size. Other characteristics that farmers wanted improved were more
species-specific and included U. kirkiana 's vulnerability to infestation by fruit-fly
maggots, P. curatellifolia 's foul smell, and S. cocculoides ' high ratio of pericarp
to fruit pulp . Concerning the trees, farmers' highest priority was to reduce fruit
precocity - the period between planting and fruiting - because many of the trees
require 10 or more years before fruiting. Other desired improvements included
reducing tree size and increasing fruit yield. Farmers want smaller trees because
they are easier to harvest and they compete less with adjacent crops.
Interestingly, extending the seasonal availability of fruits was not mentioned as
important, perhaps because different fruits are available at different seasons or
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