Accelerated Domestication and Commercialization of Indigenous Fruit and Nut Trees to Enhance Better Livelihoods in the Tropics: Lessons and Way Forward - Indigenous Fruit Trees in the Tropics: Domestication, Utilization and Commercialization - page 416

Product priority-setting was only reported in southern Africa (Chapters 2, 8
and 14), and should be an integral part of priority-setting of IFTs. In addition,
ex post studies are needed to identify farmer- or location-specific factors
affecting adoption (Place et al. , 2001). This should be able to determine
whether impact has been achieved, examine the cost-effectiveness of extension
and domestication approaches, and identify second-generation issues that arise
from wide-scale dissemination (e.g. germplasm quality and quantity,
distribution pathways, farmer group dynamics, pest build-up), and also help us
to better understand indigenous knowledge systems and farmer innovations to
combat them. Another reason for undertaking adoption studies of IFTs is to
establish recommendation domains based on biophysical performance of new
tree crops and adoption analysis, so that suitable niches and target groups will
be easily identified for improved productivity and impact.
Due to the multiple years over which testing, modification and eventual
'adoption' of IFTs takes place, information on the processes and complexity
involved in farmers' decisions to plant and continue to exploit tree-based systems
such as IFTs becomes increasingly important. As the technology development
processes become more complex, the uptake of the technologies by farmers will
remain low. Place et al. (2001) noted that technology development and
dissemination systems must continue to emphasize practices that require little
capital and methods of scaling-up, improved processes and techniques applicable
to wider communities. Extension activities need to address the constraints faced
by farmers. This includes recognizing that different groups within communities
may have different interests. For instance, women may be interested in
integrating fruit trees in the homegardens for home consumption and sale; older
people and children may need low trees to facilitate easy harvesting
(Schreckenberg et al. , 2006). Such different interests could be shown by priority-
setting results (Franzel et al. , 1996; Kadzere et al. , 1998). The scaling-up of IFTs
must actively encourage a constructivist approach - i.e. allow local farmers and
consumers to make several modifications and adaptations based on their
experiences with the trees. This will ensure a more long-lasting 'adoption'.

21.6.3 Market research and commercialization

Although market potential was covered in many chapters (Chapters 6-16),
there seems to be generally more emphasis on the trees than the people using
them, and more emphasis on farmers' concerns than those of the consumers
and marketers. Market research needs to be intensified and should focus more
on expanding existing markets and creating new ones, and linking producers to
the markets. Market research will help us understand fruit traits that would
make new technology or crops attractive to farmers and consumers. The
impact of IFTs in terms of income generation and contribution to poverty
reduction at local, national and international scales deserves greater attention.

● There is a lack of coordination along the supply chain for most indigenous

fruit tree and nut products in the tropics.