Questions
& Answers on the Allanblackia Project In Ghana
________________________________________
1. Q.
Can you give a brief background of Project Novella?
A.
Project Novella has been in existence since the year
2002 and it consists of Unilever/Novel Development and
other partners who have the common aim of developing
a sustainable supply chain for new oil (from seeds of
the Allanblackia trees).
Its objectives have been to contributing to structural
reduction in poverty (through fair prices, fair business
practices and income diversification of rural communities)
and promoting the sustainable management of forest areas
and the maintenance of biodiversity.
The seeds contain edible fat, but have
been little used on a commercial scale, e.g. there was
some use in Tanzania as a cocoa butter substitute over
50 years ago. In most parts of Africa, the traditional
use of Allanblackia for cooking has decreased over the
last 50 years in favour of other, mostly liquid oils.
Nevertheless, Allanblackia has been identified by FAO
as a crop of high potential interest to the development
of rural communities. This oil has the potential to
become a new, profitable and internationally recognised
sustainable raw material, found in the high forest zones
of tropical Africa. Ghana was selected as a pilot country
for the Novella Project because of the abundant presence
of the Allanblackia tree in several of its regions,
its political stability, the presence of local partners
and some initial trials on the extraction of oil with
Ghanaian oil processors.
Allanblackia holds out the potential
to provide a novel source of household income for rural
populations while contributing to forest landscape restoration
and community-based fire management. Collection and
sale of the nuts will diversify and increase rural incomes
and therefore may directly contribute to poverty reduction
for local communities. Unilever and partners will continue
to offer a sizeable and commercially attractive market
to the project, thus providing a financially sound basis
for the future.
2. Q.
What is included in the AB Supply Chain?
A.
• Communities and Collectors of seeds
• Buyers (Focal Persons)
• Transporters
• Processing
• Transporters
• Product
3. Q.
How is handling and processing of AB done in a sustainable
way?
A.
Key Messages
o AB oil is highly nutritious and has
potential future economic value.
o Unilever and Partners want to promote the cultivation
of the AB seeds as a possible source of income earning
activity.
o Oil produced from the AB seeds will be used in the
production of margarine and other personal care products
like soap.
o Protect trees for future livelihood. Do not cut
down trees in the forests or on farms.
o Farmers should nurture and protect wildlings on
their farms to ensure regeneration of AB trees.
o AB trees do not impede the growth of cocoa and other
farm produce. Do not cut them down.
o The Project is providing AB seedlings to farmers
to cultivate on their farms and other open areas.
o Research on propagation and domestication is far
advanced
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