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A Novel Non-timber Forest Product for Positive Change. The partnership will fight the loss of tropical forests, create jobs and develop local communities by initiating a sustainable and profitable supply chain for a novel nontimber forest product: the seeds of the Allanblackia tree.

Allanblackia is a large tree that grows wild in the tropical forests of Africa. It produces pineapple-sized fruits with many seeds rich in an oil that can be used in soaps and spreads. However, this resource is largely unknown to the people in Nigeria.

Together, the partner organisations will encourage communities to harvest these wild seeds while planting new trees, to create a sustainable supply of seeds. One person per village will co-ordinate the work, buy, store and sell the seeds. Transport firms will buy the seeds and sell them to a local crushing company. From there, the oil will be bought by Unilever – which is guaranteeing long-term demand and fair prices – to be used for the manufacture of consumer products.

By working in partnership, including with the public authorities, the quality and reliability of the supply chain can be secured. Local environmental and human rights NGO partners ensure that the partnership operates in a participatory, transparent and equitable manner and that the rural communities receive the majority of the financial benefits and receive support for community development. Fair, legal and transparent business practices will be mandatory throughout.

Women, in particular, will be encouraged to participate at all levels and children will be encouraged to go to schools.

Through the development of this product, the importance of biodiversity conservation for sustainable livelihoods in this area will be demonstrated. The partnership will promote environmentally-friendly behaviour as a priority for local development. Cutting of trees will be discouraged, planting of trees (not only Allanblackia) will be stimulated. To that end, local nurseries will be supported to raise trees. Farmers and communities will be supported to plant and raise them.

The project may expand across many parts of Africa, helping to create sustainable livelihoods wherever the Allanblackia is indigenous.