Agroforestry Overview

Agroforestry projects as an Off-Reserve Strategy for rural development.

OCAP (Oda-Kotoamso Community Agroforestry Projekt) The main objective is to develop (in close cooperation with the communities) alternatives to shifting cultivation in order to reduce the pressure on the remaining forest ressource by stopping farmers from clearing more forested lanf ("slash & burn"). Trees and food crops on the same land management unit ("Agroforestry") and the promotion of natural regeneration are the priorities of the project. [ more about OCAP ]

Thaumatin production Thaumatin is an all natural low-calorie protein sweetener and flavour enhancer. derived from Thaumatoccocus danielli, locally known as Kaamtefe, a plant that grows in West Afrika's forest. The plant is shade tolerant and can therefore be very easily incorporated into the Samartex agroforestry programme as it will grow under timber trees in an integrated agroforestry cropping regime. Samartex offers Thaumatin in a pure powder form. [ more detailed information ]

Plant Research Currenty Samartex is conducting studies into the economic potential of various other plants of the tropical rain forest for essential oil production in the perfume industry. Examples are climbers and non-timber trees. [ more detailed information ]