Farmers perception and socio-economic importance of Adansonia digitate in Agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined farmers’ perceptions and the socio‑economic importance of Adansonia digitata across three agro‑ecological zones of Nigeria; Derived, Guinea, and Sudan Savannas. A total of 330 respondents were sampled from 30 communities, including 300 household respondents and 30 key informants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze socio‑economic characteristics, domestication practices, flowering and fruiting patterns, and livelihood contributions. Findings revealed that awareness of A. digitata was universal (100%) across all zones, with 98–100% of respondents retaining naturally regenerated trees on their farmland. Tree abundance per household ranged from 1 to 5 trees, with the highest proportion of farmers in the Derived Savanna (36.4%) owning a single tree, while 46.3% in the Sudan Savanna owned two trees. Retention motives varied significantly: 53% of respondents in the Derived Savanna retained the species solely for medicinal purposes, whereas 86% in both the Guinea and Sudan Savannas retained it for combined food and  medicinal uses. Fruit yield was generally low, with 71–88% of farmers reporting <200 fruits per tree annually. Income from baobab products varied across zones: 36.8% of Derived Savanna respondents earned ₦10,000 to ₦20,000 annually, compared to 60% in the Guinea Savanna and 67.4% in the Sudan Savanna. Flowering occurred mainly in August–September, while fruit maturation peaked between March and April. Overall, A. digitata remains a culturally and economically important species, contributing to food security, traditional medicine, and rural income. However, reliance on natural regeneration and low fruit yields highlights the need for participatory domestication, improved tree management, and targeted extension services to enhance sustainable utilization.