Producing high quality products
Allanblackia trees grow naturally in the tropical forests of Africa. They produce a large fruit containing seeds that are rich in oil. Research by Unilever shows this oil can be used to produce products such as soap and margarine; in many cases producing a better quality product.
Unilever is working in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, international and local NGOs on a project to encourage people to collect allanblackia seeds. This provides an additional source of income for communities in areas of Ghana and Tanzania where allanblackia trees grow.
Creating jobs
Once the seeds have been harvested, transport firms buy the seeds and sell them on to local crushing companies. Unilever then buys the oil at a guaranteed and fair price, helping to create jobs for farmers and support local businesses.
The first phase of the project encourages farmers to harvest and sell seeds from allanblackia trees growing in the wild and on community land. The second phase will focus on planting allanblackia tress on fallow and degraded lands, bringing environmental benefits. Tree-planting also contributes to the restoration of forest areas. In the first half of 2006, 4 000 allanblackia trees were planted on small rural farms.
Progress
In Tanzania, 3 000 farmers in 48 villages are participating in the project. During its first year, the project generated €3 300 for participating farmers, rising to €12 500 in its second year. In 2006 this is expected to rise to over €50 000. Plans are in place to extend the project to Nigeria and Liberia.
