This document discusses the cultivation of African walnut (Tetracarpidium conophorum) on agricultural plantations in Nigeria as an approach to conservation agriculture. It finds that African walnut cultivation conserves indigenous tree species by being planted under them, improves soil fertility through nutrient deposition from decaying fruit, and increases litter fall. However, issues include a lack of industrial utilization, inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure, and underrecognition of indigenous knowledge. The study was funded by IFS and involved surveying farmers and marketers to understand walnut production, processing, marketing and development issues.

1. Cultivation of African Walnut
Tetracarpidium Conophorum Mull. (Arg) on
Agricultural Plantation: An Approach to
Conservation Agriculture in Nigeria
Folaranmi D. Babalola (Ph.D.)
Forest Resources Management,
University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
folababs2000@yahoo.com,
babalola.fd@unilorin.edu.ng

2. • Over 90% of the 1.2
billion people living in
extreme poverty depend
on forests for livelihoods
(World Bank, 2007).

3. The loss of biological diversity from
clearing of forests for agriculture
and plantation establishment has
been emphasized.
IUCN Photo Library © Jim Thorsell

4. Cultivation of forest products
on agricultural plantation has
been recognised as a
contribution to Conservation
Agriculture
IUCN Photo Library © Jim Thorsell

5. Aim of the study
• Determine contributions of forest
products to Conservation Agriculture
with special focus on African walnut.

6. African walnut
Tetracarpidium conophorum
(Müll. Arg.) Hutch. & Dalziel
• Family Euphorbiaceae;
• Perennial climber;
• Found in moist forest zones
of sub-Sahara Africa;
• Cultivated principally for the
nuts (cooked and consumed
as snacks).

7. Some benefits of African walnut
• Nuts
▫ Proved to cure male fertility problem
• Oil from nuts
▫ Used in formulation of wood varnish, vulcanized
oil for rubber and leather substitute.
• Leaves
▫ used for the treatment of dysentery (Ajaiyeoba
and Fadare, 2006).

8. Methodology

9. Data collection
• Questionnaire to rural farmers and
local marketers
• Farm visit

10. Map of the study area

11. Production
of the walnut

12. Production of African walnut
• Nut planted under indigenous trees
deliberately spared on agricultural lands
and plantations
• Starts fruiting 2 years
• Fruits July – Sept
• Processing is at household level

13. African walnut is a climber which is planted
under indigenous tree species within
agricultural plantation e.g. cocoa

14. Climber of African walnut on crown of some
indigenous trees on agricultural plantation
(thereby conserving the trees)

15. Processing
of the walnut

16. Matured fruits allow to drop
from climber
Gathering of fruits
Women, children (& farmers)
Fruits
Fruits
Cut open with knife or
Rot and nuts washed
cutlass and nuts
removed

17. • Decaying stages of African walnut fruit

18. Marketing
of the walnut

19. Chart for marketing of the walnut

20. Village
merchant
Bags of African walnut
ready for transport

21. Marketing of
African walnut
(Retail)

22. Application of African walnut
to Conservation Agriculture
• Conserve indigenous tree species.
▫ Prevent felling
• Decay fruit mesocarp improves soil fertility.
• High litter fall that improve soil fertility.
▫ enhance function of soil microbs.

23. Mature fruits and climber of
walnut
Climber with many Decaying Mature fruits
leaves and leaves

24. Issues for
Development of the walnut

25. Issues for development
• Producers: Small scale farmers at the local
level
• Industrial utilisation: Not fully developed.
▫ …hampering full scale production and
exploration of inherent potentials.

26. Issues for devt…
• Lack of adequate storage facilities
▫ Consumed within 1-2 days after cook
• Inadequate transportation
▫ deplorable rural road networks.

27. Food for thought
• Let us recognize more and incorporate
Indigenous Knowledge to CA.
• “When a knowledgeable old person dies, a
whole library disappears”.

28. Acknowledgements
• International Foundation for Science
(IFS), Sweden:
▫ Research Fund
• Travel Sponsorship:
▫ Australian Centre for International
Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in partnership
with Australian Government AusAID's
International Seminar Support Scheme

29. Thank you
for
listening