Analysis Of The Social And Cultural Values Contraining Increased African Apple Production In Anambra State Of Nigeria

This study analysed the social and cultural values constraining increased African Star Apple (ASA, Chrysophilum albidum) production in Anambra State of Nigeria. Data were collected using interview schedule on 80 respondents selected from six major assembly markets in six town communities of two Agricultural zones of the State. Ten respondents (5 men and 5 women) who are natives of the communities hosting the markets were selected through Snow ball sampling method (SBSM) from each of the markets. The interview schedule was mainly on yes or no questions. From the respondents, 7 in-depth interviews were conducted for detailed information on ASA important issues such as the crop’s feast activities, children’s song while under the trees and beliefs. Data were achieved with descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency distribution and Tables. The study showed that: ASA production and consumption in the study area are by 100% constrained with social and cultural norms such as none planting, none harvesting, public ownership and free fruits collection. The result also reveals that the studied communities differ in their ASA fruit selling and buying norms and in ASA feast in the past and that they do not easily change their norms except on certain conditions such as knowledge gain and sensitization. The study inter alia recommends that effort to increase or commercialize its production by entrepreneurs requires orientation or sensitization of the tradition custodians in the communities and adequate protection of the trees in farm fields or plantations. INTRODUCTION In all the parts of the world, people access food, fruits, fodder, wood, medicine and other values from tree species (Laurent et al, 2012). In Africa, there are numerous interesting native tree species and they include Palm trees, Breadfruit (Treculia africana), oranges and African star apple (ASA). ASA is scientifically recognized as Chrysophilum albidum. ASA is in Nigeria recognized in different tribes by different names. For example, the Igbo call it udala or udara, It is known as Agbalumo in Yoruba, ehya by Igala and agwaluma in Hausa. In general, it is mainly a forest tree species whose natural occurrences have been reported in many eco-zones and in many countries including Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, Uganda, and Cote d’lvoire (Amusa, Ashaye and Oladapo, 2003). ASA value varies Vol.7, Issue 5, Apr-2020 Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) 135 in those tribal groups. It is one of those tree species that are seen in the traditional agroforestry system of Southeast Nigeria. The tree and the fruit are variously used, regarded and appreciated in various ways in different cultural and sub cultural areas. The ASA fruit in some Igbo communities offers different values and they include snack, symbol of love, games, shed and feast. Its ripened fruit is eaten mostly as snack and relished by various age groups especially the children, girls and women (Amusa, Ashaye and Oladapo, 2003). The crude protein, carbohydrates and crude fat content of udala were respectively revealed to be 8.8%, 29.9% and 17.1% (Adelaja, 1997). Studies have shown that ASA fruit contains a larger amount of ascorbic acid (1000 3,330 mg per 100gm of edible fruit) or up to 100 times that of oranges and 10 times of that of guava or cashew (Okoli, 2010; Laurent et al, 2012). The fruit contains about 4-5 seeds depending on the variety. It is also reported to be a source of oil (Amusa, Ashaye and Oladapo, 2003). The seeds in Abagana and some Igbo town or village communities are used for elementary mathematics teaching to pupils and in playing traditional games such as Swell and “Ncho”. The roots, leaves and the bark are reported to have medicinal values. Specifically, Adewusi (1997) reported that the bark is used for the treatment of yellow fever and malaria, while the leaves are used as skin softening and soothing material (emollients), skin eruptions treatment, treatment of diarrhoea and stomach-ache, which are as a result of infections and inflammatory reactions. These indicate that ASA is an important medicinal plant which can be used in industries for production of pharmaceutical products. The values of ASA suggest the need for its increased production and consumption. Several studies and reports have been done on ASA as seen here above. For further examples, Amusa, Ashaye and Oladapo (2003) reported it to be a forest tree species which occur naturally in many countries. They added that the fruits are allowed to drop naturally from the trees. Okoli (2010) in his study provided a rationale for the use of ASA seeds and root extracts in Nigerian traditional medicine practice. Ureigh (2010) in his study concluded that both the sweet, very sweet or sour ASA provide nutrient supplements for both women and children in rural communities and that it should support better utilization of the tree species by domestic industries. Adebayo et al (2012) revealed that the crop has in recent times become a fruit of commercial value in Nigeria. Most of the studies done on ASA concentrated on its nutritional, medicinal, and industrial utilization potentials as briefly discussed in section3.3. Available research articles suggest that little or no study have been conducted on the crop’s sociology of production, gender issues and marketing problems. This suggests the need to understand whether there are social issues that may be limiting ASA increased production, marketing and utilization potentials. Such social elements may be the farmers and rural dwellers’ cultural values such as norms, beliefs and gender issues. The problem of this paper is that ASA cultivation and harvesting situations, gender issues, social norms, marketing problems have not been identified. The other problem is that what have changed about ASA rules of conduct is unknown. These warrant the following research questions: Why do farmers in the study area not plant ASA trees or harvest their fruits? Are there gender issues in ASA production and management? Are there social barriers constraining increased ASA production and marketing?