Extensive unreported non-plantation oil palm in Africa
2025
Adrià Descals | Douglas Sheil | Serge Wich | Mohammed Ozigis | Erik Meijaard
The extent of oil palm in non-plantation settings in Africa remains unknown despite its considerable socio-economic, nutritional, and cultural importance. Non-plantation oil palm includes wild or semi-wild stands that grow in forest, agroforest, and garden contexts and appear dispersed or forming clusters with irregular arrangements. Based on stratified sampling and sub-meter satellite imagery, we estimated 6.53 ± 0.99 Mha of non-plantation oil palm in Africa, largely unreported in official statistics, but widespread in West and Central African villages. This previously undocumented oil palm highlights the potential role of such oil palm in supporting local livelihoods and informal food systems. Our findings are relevant for better informed policies on African food and land-use systems.
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