Domestication of Wild Fruit Trees in Communities of Mayo-Belwa LGA, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the domestication of wild fruit trees in communities of Mayo-Belwa LGA of Adamawa State, Nigeria. Seven wards within the LGA (Tola, Mayo-Fareng, Binyeri, Gangfada, Gorobi, Gangwaso and Nasarawo Jereng) were selected for Agroforestry. 14 farms from each of the selected wards were randomly sampled and surveyed for observation and recording of indigenous fruit trees on the farms and also by ocular inspecting the proportion of farm land under fruit trees cultivation. Results shows that preference matrix ranking was used to generate a species priority list of indigenous fruit trees preferred by the local people through the use of questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as table, frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the data obtained which includes, proportion of indigenous fruit trees DBH ranging (10.1-45.1), basal area ranging (80.1-1597.8), agricultural crops grown alongside fruit trees, local people towards wild fruit trees domestication, socio-economic variables of the respondents, and opportunities and constraints to on-farm cultivation of indigenous fruit trees. The result of the findings indicated that indigenous fruit trees species on-farm was relatively moderate:- The average proportion of farmland under indigenous fruit trees DBH was however low in Gorobi ward and higher in Binyeri ward. Some of the preferred indigenous wild fruit trees were Vitallaria paradoxa, Vitex doniana, Annona senegalensis and Tamarindus indica among others. The study recommended that in order for indigenous fruit trees to meaningfully contribute to household food security and incomes, there is need to: Formulate clear policies and by-laws on conservation of indigenous tree resources. Trees are assets, which contribute to the well-being of the rural community and through their longevity, serve as a cultural linking element throughout generations. Policy-makers and decision-makers also need to be kept informed of the latest advances in domestication and commercialization.