Economic Assessment of Indigenous Food Producing Forest Tree Species in Abia and Imo States of Nigeria

Abstract

This study aims primarily to assess the economic value of some indigenous food producing forest tree species in Abia and Imo Sates of Nigeria, with particular reference to Chrysophyllum albidium (African Star apple), Dacryodes edulis (African Pear), Irvingia wombulu (African Mango) and Pentaclethra macrophylla (Oil bean). Primary data were collected on farmers awareness, usefulness and uses of the selected indigenous food producing forest tree species by randomly interviewing 80 farmers, using open ended and fixed alternative questionnaires. The result showed that all the farmers (80) surveyed (100%) were aware of the existence of Chrysophyllum albidium, Dacryodes edulis, Irvingia wombulu and Pentaclethra macrophylla, their usefulness and uses which they stated as fruits seeds, bark, leaves, food, vegetables, drugs and fodder, and stem for timber and fuel wood.
Dacryodes edulis, Irvingia wombulu, Chysophyllum albidium and Pentaclethra mancrophylla have immense economic value that if properly harnessed is capable of contributing to economic development of Abia and Imo States of Nigeria.