LOCAL EDIBLE FRUITS IN THE FAR NORTH CAMEROON REGION

Knowledge about local fruit species in the Far North region is scarce. The study on the "Extension of local edible fruit sectors in the Far North region of Cameroon" aims to provide basic data on local fruit sectors. It focuses on four species: Balanites aegyptiaca, Adansonia digitata, Ziziphus mauritiana, Tamarindus indica. 463 people were interviewed in 8 localities in the region, namely: Maroua, Méri, Mindif, Kaélé, Yagoua, Maga, Mokolo, and Rhumsiki. Four types of actors were identified: harvesters, processors, sellers, and consumers. The study estimates the annual harvest of the four fruit species at more than 1,123.4 tons, 85.07% of which is marketed and 14.93% of which is withdrawn from the circuit by the harvesters for self-consumption or due to degradation. The study also shows that the consumption of local fruits represents more than 40% of the overall consumption of fruits in households. It is quite high among children, averaging 8.5 kg/person/year. This demonstrates the importance of local fruit in the fight against food insecurity.