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NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Oil from rainforest could earn farmers millions

Vlog of the week

By The Standard Sports | Dec 03, 2009

By Ally Jamah

Farmers in western Kenya could make millions of shillings by growing a tree that produces a type of oil in high demand in the international market.

The Allanblackia tree grows mostly in tropical rainforests across Africa stretching from Liberia to Tanzania, and produces oil from its seeds that are required in large amounts by international food companies, especially margarine manufacturers.

The oil, which has been used for cooking for many centuries in West Africa, has attracted huge interest because it stays solid at room temperature but melts at the normal body temperature of 34 degrees centigrade, making it perfect for "melt-in-the-mouth spreads such as margarine.

Money Making

Although Kenya is not within the rainforest belt, Kakamega forest is classified by scientists as a rainforest and its climate is conducive for the growth of that valuable tree.

Experts say this project could turn the whole forest, which is facing large scale logging, into a money making venture for the communities living around it.

Dr Geoffrey Kironchi, an agriculture lecturer at University of Nairobi says the tree would bring great benefits. " I see great benefits for areas with rainforest conditions such as Kakamega and Kisii districts," he says.

"Given the benefits realised by farmers in West Africa, and closer home in Tanzania I am sure local farmers will embrace the tree if seedlings were to be made locally available." The tree has been identified by the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation as a crop of high potential interest to the development of rural communities.

Around 10,000 African farmers grow it.