Uses, management, and economic potential of Dacryodes edulis (Burseraceae)in the humid lowlands of Cameroon

Dacryodes edulis is one of the most preferred tree species by farmers in th e humid lowlands of Cameroon. The fruit of the species figures prominently in cross-boundary trade between Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. Although there exist empirical data on the volume of trade of rite fruit at this level, n o data are available at the farm level. A field survey was undertaken to id entify uses, management, and farmers' improvement objectives and to quantif y, at the farm-level, the economic potential of the species. The results of the survey indicate that D. edulis is widely planted and found mainly in t ree crop fields and in home gardens. The fruit is highly consumed and trade d The farm-level value of fruit production reaches $US161 a year per grower or collector The dead branches of the species are used as firewood and its bark is used as medicine. Desired improvement objectives include increased fruit si-e, good tasting fruit, high yield mid reduced time to bearing.