ICCO Interchurch organisation for development cooperation Funding agency and development partner Based in Netherlands

Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Programme Ghana-Liberia Programme Coordinator and CB advisor Jochem Schneemann based in Accra

Samuel Kwennah (SAMFU), Silas Siakor (SDI), both Liberia & Jochem Schneemann (ICCO), participate in AB meeting because: Unilever and ICCO agreed to commission feasibility study Allan Blackia in Liberia Objectif: research possibilities for AB development in Liberia Period: July February 2008 February 2008: go/no go decision by stakeholders

RESULTS OF FEASIBILITY STUDY Dec 07- April 08 Allanblackia parviflora and guttifera Rough survey: indicates main areas with occurrence Inventory in three counties - 19 villages  1700 trees (of which 520 fruiting) counted in 14 hrs walking Poor infrastructure: roads, crushing facilities, tree nurseries etc

SUPPLY CHAIN TESTING Jan- April 2008 –Wild collection –gatherers  focal persons  supervisor(s) (SDI-SAMFU)  market provider (UNILEVER) –In 5 villages of 1 district (Zorzor) –3,5 tons of seeds were bought –Price : US$ 0,15 (complaints) –Total income to farmers: US$ 525 (approx)

CONCLUSIONS TEST Domestication –plantations are way to go Price issue: How to make the chain more efficient so that more benefits can be paid to the farmer, in order to improve the livelihood of farmer-families ? Start with small groups of farmers which need incentive to participate in first phase Collaborate with others: e.g. Sustainable Tree Crop Programme

DECISION ICCO, Oct 2008 ICCO is committed to start a demonstration project, if we can find two organisations that are willing and able to collaborate in the business development process. ICCO’s contribution can be Euro 100,000 per year, for a first phase of 3 years. ICCO has identified a number of conditions that need to be verified :

CONDITIONS ICCO FOR FIRST PHASE AB in LIBERIA, Oct 2008 Involvement of SDI and SAMFU: agree on their role in the project we can find the right business and other partners Securing of additional funds Aware of risks in terms of poor infrastructure, small initial volumes, and hence high initial transaction costs, and long interval to benefits

ELEMENTS OF FIRST PHASE (1) Note: needs much more discussion within and outside ICCO Completion of survey and inventories Use AB experience and knowledge from other other countries learning: organise training & exchange programmes to/with other AB countries Ensure collaboration: NARI, STCP, Business partner, NOVEL, SNV, SEND, etc Agree on action plan and contributions of each consider AB as one option in a range (other plant products, crops) Farmer training schools/farmer business schools  farmers in position to make an informed decisions

ELEMENTS OF FIRST PHASE (2) Domestication Initiate research in: - selection, propagation, etc, - farming and crop systems (how does AB fit in FS?) - cost / benefit analysis mixed RRCs with several tree species Demonstration plots : in farmer’s field and in RRCs Supply chain: awareness raising, training of collectors and focal persons, etc

CHALLENGES –to develop an action plan /proposal that will engage collaborators to agree on contribution and roles –Funding

YOUR ADVISE IS GOLD Thank you for your attention