QualiTree (research-based tree oil production in West Africa)

Oil products from native trees in West Africa are essential for human dietary requirements as well as for use in medicine and cosmetics, but their potentials are far from fully exploited. QualiTree aims to reduce poverty by increasing food security and income in Burkina Faso and Mali through sustainable growth and development of local industrial food production and marketing of oil products from native trees.

The industrial production is developed by two private companies, one Danish and one Burkinabé. The production is research based. Use of local traditional knowledge, oil composition and data on availability of oil trees in agricultural fields form the basis for improved, sustainable oil production that is adapted to local socioeconomic factors. QualiTree ensures that local women are engaged in and profit from the project. The project focuses on value addition of well-known oils, such as shea butter, and on development of new or less known marketable oil products from native trees present in cultivated land. QualiTree has a strong capacity building component; consisting of five African PhD students, five master students and several young researchers, who receive high quality education. In addition, local communities and industrial workers also receive training. QualiTree benefits local communities through the provision of new avenues for income generation and through the diversification of the available food supply, which is important both for food security and nutrition.

Qualitree participants

QualiTree

works to improve sustainable use of local tree species for fair-trade production of oils for food and cosmetics in Mali and Burkina Faso through a collaboration between researchers, private industries and local communities.

Financed by Danida.