Germplasm Systems of Multipurpose Indigenous Trees in Africa

There is an increased momentum in global efforts to expand tree planting through afforestation, reforestation, landscape restoration and agroforestry initiatives in response to climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, food and nutrition insecurity challenges. The success of these initiatives strongly depends on the availability and accessibility of planting materials of suitable tree species. Stakeholders’ efforts to contribute to planting initiatives are constrained by multidimensional factors limiting access to quality germplasm. Tree germplasm refers to all types of planting materials including seeds, seedlings, wildlings and clonal materials. This chapter reviews tree germplasm management and policy issues that are likely to affect planting initiatives in Africa. Tree germplasm quality and supply depend on documented importance which drives germplasm demand at local, national and regional levels. Supply of good quality germplasm is underpinned by scientific knowledge, decision support tools appropriately designed for end users, institutional capacity and policy frameworks. We review the role of both human and infrastructure capacity development for actors in the germplasm supply chain. We highlight the importance of germplasm conservation and the need for developing, upgrading and fostering quality assurance measures through certification to reduce proliferation of low-quality germplasm. The Community Agroforestry Tree Seed Bank model, an innovative and time-tested approach is proposed for improving and ensuring a decentralised and sustainable tree germplasm supply, empowering smallholder farmers as key players in sourcing and managing quality germplasm in a manner that is in tandem with national germplasm supply systems. We recommend strengthening regulations for quality assurance and providing incentives to stakeholders adhering to germplasm quality standards. We recommend increasing investment for an efficient supply of good quality tree germplasm at community, national and regional levels for a range of benefits that include improving food security, rural livelihoods, and addressing climate change and environmental degradation challenges.