Development of forest tree crops for food supplies in Nigeria

The paper starts with a brief historical background of a pioneer project which initially identified the economic importance of edible forest trees in Nigeria. Their distribution in the humid tropical area is discussed, under two patterns, namely in natural forests and within the traditional farming systems. The results so far obtained in the propagation and taxonomic studies of the edible forest trees, are outlined. Similarly, some of the problems besetting their development are enumerated. It is suggested that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for the solution of such problems. The paper also elucidates the socio-economic values of edible forest trees, including their dietary importance and other current and potential uses as revealed by a recent questionnaire survey conducted in the southern states of the country. The need for the conservation of genetic resources of the edible forest tree species, most of which are now endangered, is stressed. Finally, the paper suggests that mechanical methods of fruit extraction, processing, preservation and storage should now be devised, in order to enhance the utilization and contribution of this presently underexploited food source, in the country.