The coconut palm sector in Africa: Current situation and prospects

The are about 22 coconut producing countries in Africa with an estimated total annual nut production of approximately 1.7-2.0 millions tons. It is reckoned that about 95% of the production is in the hands of small scale farmers. it is not exactly known when the coconut was introduced in the continent. However, there is little doubt that both natural dispersal and intervention by man played an important role in the pan-tropical distribution and dispersal of the crop. The productivity level of the coconut industry in Africa is low due to a number of climatic biotic edaphic and other factors. These include sub-optimal growing conditions, presence of noxious diseases and pests, poor crophusbandry practices, lack of improved and adapted planting materials and lack of clearly defined government policies and strategies to support coconut research and development (R & D) activities. A combination of national, regional and international R sr D efforts will be required to revive the industry.