Raphia Palm
Improved high wine yielding and long-fibre Raphia hookeri variety have been selected. This improved variety
Genetic improvement
- Over twenty Raphia varieties have been identified, and characterised.
- Improved high wine yielding and long-fibre Raphia hookeri variety have been selected. This improved variety
– flowers 4-5 years after planting and
– yields between 1,500-2,000 litre of palm wine per palm per one terminal tapping period.
Impact
The Raphia palm wine is a good source of both industrial and potable alcohol. The trunk and the leaf components of this palm produce long fibre for the manufacture of pulp and paper.
