Abstract:

Past work with multipurpose tree species (MPTS) within the Forestry/Fuelwood Research and Development Project (F/FRED) has focused mainly on organization of research among cooperators, selection of fuelwood species priorities, socioeconomic research needs, germplasm availability, and experimental design (Taylor and Medema 1987). In 1987, USAID and Winrock International, through the F/FRED Project, decided to assess the potential for improving small-farm MPTS production via several biotechnology thrusts (F/FRED Project 1987) including the present study, which focuses on determining the feasibility of obtaining non-wood products from MPTS. These include gums, resins, exudates, extractives and other chemicals, in addition to the more typical uses of these species for fuelwood, timber, fodder, manure, and fruit. Indeed, a study of MPTS uses for chemical production on small farn-s might conceivably result in identifying additional MPTS and considerably enhance small farmers' income. Against this broad background, the present study was undertaken.