UFA-Reforest: implementing forest seed supply systems

During their various missions in the field (prospecting, monitoring of devices, etc.), the companies' teams are responsible for collecting seeds to supply their nurseries. Given the reforestation objectives set by the project, this supply is insufficient. In order to increase the quantities of seeds harvested, two supply systems have been set up:

• First, the collection of seeds by the communities living near the FMUs. The purpose of this collection is twofold: to supply the nurseries with quality seeds and to involve the local communities in the silvicultural activities implemented by the project.
• Secondly, in order to promote the genetic diversity of the harvests on a national scale, seeds are also collected in other areas, notably in the Nkongsamba and Douala areas (Littoral Region). This activity is supervised by the ENSET of the University of Douala.

Posters used during the theoretical phase CPF DJA 1 (Malene)

The training of community collectors, which was organized within the Peasant Forest Committees (PFCs) of the Pallisco company, was aimed at training local communities in the identification of better seed sources and the harvesting of quality seeds, in accordance with the harvesting protocol adopted by the project. The PFCs are platforms for dialogue between communities, forestry companies and the forestry administration.

It was also decided to set up a network of collectors in these PFCs in order to ensure a substantial supply of quality seeds for the nurseries of the four companies supervised by the project. This network of collectors will operate during the 4 years of the project. The choice of priority species are those presenting a problem of natural regeneration and a low rate of reconstitution within the FMUs. After analysis of the management plans of the companies supervised by the project, ten species were chosen (Assamela, Ayous, Iroko, Kossipo, Moabi, Okan, Sapelli, Sipo, Tali and Tiama).

At the end of this training session, 110 people, including 29 women, were trained, including representatives of indigenous populations. After the establishment of this network of collectors in the communities bordering the FMUs, more than 20,000 moabi seeds were collected. In the Nkongsamba and Douala area, more than 55 kg of seeds of 6 different species were also collected. These seeds were purchased and used to supply the project nurseries.

Family photo at CPF Lomié 1 (Mintoum)

Several difficulties were noted during the implementation of these seed supply systems:

• The poor knowledge of certain forest species seeds by the communities, particularly the Meliaceae (Kossipo, Sipo, Sapelli and Tiama);
• The low participation of women because they are in the forest to collect non-timber forest products;

The degradation of certain seeds caused by the delay in sowing, and the time it takes to transfer the seeds to the companies' nurseries.