Tapping Tools for Gum Arabic and Resins Production: A Review Paper

Abstract

: Gum Arabic and resins production is affected by many factors. Some of these factors biotic and others are non-biotic. The most important non-biotic factor is the tapping of the tree. However, tapping should be done properly in a way which does not harm the tree health. The purpose of this paper is to review and document tapping tools for gum Arabic and resins production. The most efficient and recommended tapping tool nowadays is Sonki compared with the traditional axe (Farrar). The Sonki was developed by the Gum Arabic Research Division (GRD) in Agricultural Research Corporation (ARC) and it was considered as efficient and effective and cheap tapping tool. It could be locally manufactured and easily adopted by the gum tappers in the gum belt of Sudan. It is reported that it is multi-function tool where it could be used for tapping the tree and harvesting the gum. Sonki does not record any negative effect on the tree health. On the other hand, it does not show any danger to the producers or the workers. It is worth to mention that it could be easily used by women and teenage. The Sonki is socially accepted, economically feasible and environmentally safe. Recently, the Sonki was adopted for training by international organizations such as IFAD, FAO, WFP and many other local and national organizations. Accordingly, it is said that it is the best and