Resource information
This Policy and Strategy Paper
contributes to an ongoing policy debate-within the Bank but
also with its client governments-about the role of tree
crops in various production systems, and as key commodities
in the trade portfolio of various African nations. It
attempts to answer the following questions: a) What is the
role of tree crops in a rural development strategy focused
on smallholders? B) Under what conditions can small-holder
tree crops be included in such a strategy, and be viable,
and what are the operational guidelines to do so? The set of
tree crops considered includes cashew nuts, coconuts, cocoa,
coffee, gum arabic, oil palm, rubber, and tea. Other tree
crops, such as teak and tropical fruit, hold less economic
importance for the subcontinent, and are thus excluded from
the analysis. Although plantations exist for many of these
crops, small-holders play a major role in their overall
production. These small-holder systems are mixed farming
systems, including a variety of annual crops as well as
major, or minor tree crops. The paper illustrates the place
of tree crops in African economies, at the macro- and
micro-levels, and draws a number of lessons from a set of
Asian experiences. It then suggests that, under appropriate
conditions, investment in small-holder systems that include
tree crops can be a good choice for investment in the
productive sector. The report finally provides strategic and
operational guidelines, and, includes five sections: 1.
Background; 2. Support to the Sector; 3. The Asian
Experience(s); 4. Perspectives on Tree Crops; and, 5.
Strategic and Operational Issues. A bibliography is
included, and the Statistical Appendix is available both as
a separate document, and electronically.
