Date Palm Status and Perspective in Sub-Sahelian African Countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, and Somalia

Abstract

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is present in sub-Sahelian African countries. Although date production is usually conducted using poor cultivation operations, date palm genetic resources are rich and highly diversified. This is due to years of date palm propagation by seed; hence, the populations of males are as numerous as females in cultivated oases. Generally, Sahelo-Sudanian and Sahelian climate and the predominant agroecological conditions are favorable for the cultivation of date palm. However, climate changes can render more areas in the sub-Sahelian borders better suited for date palm cultivation in the future. In some Sahelian countries such as Mali, Niger, Chad, and Somalia, date palm cultivation and knowledge of techniques are more extensive than in other countries of the region. In Senegal, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Ethiopia, date palm is an alternative crop and development efforts are in progress. Internationally known cultivars are recommended for cultivations in this region based on the reported market success in southern African countries especially South Africa and Namibia. Some local genetic resources can also be used for date palm expansion. Nonetheless, training is needed in date palm cultivation and protection. The main objectives of current date palm agricultural development projects are the diversification of production and the development of irrigated crops. This chapter focuses on the distribution in six sub-Sahelian countries of date palm and highlights the major obstacles facing date palm cultivation and presents recommendations to ameliorate the situation. Some other sub-Sahelian countries are discussed in separate chapters in this book.