Three major tree nut oils of southern central Africa: Their uses and future as commercial base oils

Abstract

There is a pressing need for sustainability of the ecology and environment of Africa. Deforestation is taking place at an alarming rate, and this situation will continue to escalate unless local communities can be given a sufficiently attractive and viable reason to look after their forests and animals. The development of international markets for the tree seed oils is a major step towards solving this growing dilemma. In Zambia the development of sustainable harvest systems and market outlets for the highly valued indigenous tree seed oils, along with the establishment of sustainable wild harvest for ‘non-timber forest products’ to accredited international certification criteria has enable sustainable livelihoods for large numbers of disadvantaged rural communities from indigenous plant products at the same time as helping to maintain the natural environment.