Trees outside forests / Agroforestry systems
Domestication, Post-Harvest Handling and Marketing of Selected Indigenous Fruit Trees, Namibia
Starting date: November 2001
Completion date: June 2003
Project code: TCP/NAM/0167(A)
Scope: Trees outside forests, agroforestry
Project summary
Trees and woodlands provide many sources of subsistence and play an essential role in food security of the rural population of northern Namibia. In these semi-arid conditions, they also have an important ecological and conservation role against soil erosion.
The project aims at enabling the populations in northern Namibia to improve their income and living standards through collecting, processing and marketing fruits and other edible products from local tree species. It also aims at enhancing the role of the Namibian Forestry Directorate as a provider of services to the population in the improvement of wild fruit trees and the development and marketing of fruit production.
The implementation of the project involves the services of an international consultant specialized in fruit tree propagation and project initiator (2 months), two consultants specialized in wild fruit tree improvement (4 months) and marketing (6 months), two national consultants (for a total of 10 months) and FAO advisory technical services (30 days), including FAO staff for backstopping activities. In addition, the project will provide for official travel, materials, equipment, training, as well as general and direct operating expenses.
As a result, three communities and about 150 farmers will have received training, half of which will be women. The standard of living of the poor will be raised through increased availability of fruits for local consumption, conservation and commercialization. The Forestry Department will have improved its tree breeding and propagation capacity on indigenous fruit trees. The project will contribute to the efficient harvesting of indigenous fruit trees and encourage the conservation of related tree systems for sustainable land use.