Agroforestry and socioeconomic potential of a non-conventional liana: Tetracarpidium conophorum (Müll. Arg.) Hutch. & dalz. in Cameroon

The development of local forest products is hampered by insufficient knowledge about their potential and inadequate assessments of their impact on the national economy. Furthermore, lack of knowledge on the availability of agroforestry tree products (AFTPs) in their biotope prevents effective planning for sustainable management of non-timber forests products (NTFPs) to contribute to poverty reduction. A survey conducted in the Mbam-Inoubou region in central Cameroon shows the significant agroforestry potential of African walnut, Tetracarpidium conophorum, a vine considered as an important associated species in cacao agroforests. The survey results indicate that this vine is fairly abundant in agroforests and commonly planted and used, and could therefore be included in the processing chain to improve household incomes at local, national and even regional levels. The surveys conducted for the study show that sales of products from this liana species can earn creditable incomes. Given this finding, an effort should be made by the different players concerned to improve the distribution of these products by supplying as much information as possible. Doing so would ensure the promotion of African walnuts, oil extract and other new products by bringing them into the national and international marketing system.SCOPUS: ar.j