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Ethnobotany of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. and its importance in the household economy of the Ikale and Ilaje of Ondo State, Nigeria

Background: African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), a perennial crop that originated from Tropical rainforest of West Africa, is one of the most important economic oil crops in Nigeria providing income for rural and semi-urban folks. This study described the ethnobotany of the plant and evaluated the extent to which it contributes to the livelihood strategies of the Ikale and Ilaje speaking people of Ondo State, Nigeria. Methods: Interviews were conducted in the local language and questionnaires were administered to willing respondents. Photographs of tools/machines used in the production of palm oil and allied products were taken. Drawings of the tools were generated on site. Results: The plant is the principal source of palm oil. Major processing tools of palm oil include cracker, presser, digester, and boiling trough. Other products that are derived from oil palm parts are palm kernel oil, kernel meat (for livestock feed), kernel shells (for fuel), palm wine, broom, fish trap, and traditional soap. All these products are made using indigenous methods. They feature in medicinal preparations, traditional ceremonies and are important household commodities. Conclusions: The products derived from oil palm tree serve as means of livelihood in the study communities and are local resources used in everyday activities of the people. The indigenous production methods observed further emphasize the role these products play in the economy of oil palm product makers and sellers. Sustainable tapping of palm wine should be encouraged in order to derive maximum benefits from oil palm tree.


Background
African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) belongs to the family Arecaceae. It is a perennial crop that originated from Tropical rainforest of West Africa but has been naturalized in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Central America, Indonesia, Malaysia, and West Indies (Olagunju 2008, Ukwuteno 2011. Nigeria as one of the largest producers of palm oil in West Africa contributes 7% to the world oil palm production of about 14.4 million tons (Olagunju 2008). The Nigerian oil palm belt covers twenty-four states including nine states (Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers) in the Niger-Delta region with estimated plantation size ranging from 169,000 to 360,000 hectares (PIND 2011) and the industry employs millions of workers (Ofosu-Budu & Sarpong 2013). The oil palm produces two types of vegetable oils (crude palm oil and palm kernel oil) which serve as raw materials for industries and a source of foreign exchange (Ofosu-Budu & Sarpong 2013). Being one of the most important economic oil crops in Nigeria, its cultivation serves as a means of livelihood for many rural families, and a major index in rural and semi-urban economies. The palm fruit from which palm oil is extracted is of great value. Apart from the oil supply, palms are one of the most useful trees typically used in crafting activities such as making brooms, fish traps, and brushes (Barboza 2000).
Attempt to increase oil palm production in Nigeria led to the establishment of Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in 1939 with the mandate to provide research support in oil palm, raphia palm, date palm, coconut and recently Shea (Ikuenobe 2010). The history of palm oil and economic development over the past few years has been disheartening. Nigeria was a leading exporter of palm oil before 1960; while export of palm produce declined from 36. 4% in 19694% in to 13.2% in 19744% in (NOUN 2004, it increased dramatically between 1970and 2003and decreased further in 2004(CBN 2007. This dwindling of output has been attributed to the discovery of crude oil in the 1950s and the effects of the civil war of 1967 -1970 (Izah & Ohimain 2016). Consequently, Nigeria lost her place as the largest producer to Malaysia (between 1962 and1969) and Indonesia (Ohimain et al. 2014). Since local demands for palm oil and palm kernel oil are increasing, and Nigeria is unable to meet up with trade demands as it supplies 55% of total demands, it currently imports palm oil, to augment the deficit, from Malaysia and Indonesia (Izah & Ohimain 2016). It is noteworthy that Malaysia obtained its first oil palm seeds from Nigeria (NOUN 2004). On demand, NIFOR (between 1999 and2008) supplied about 26 million sprouted and improved oil palm seeds to farmers in Nigeria (Ikuenobe 2010). NIFOR-improved early maturing, high yielding and Fusarium-resistant hybrid oil palm variety (Elaeis guineensis var. tenera, a cross between Elaeis guineensis var. dura and Elaeis guineensis var. pisifera) has become a choice cultivar yielding 15 -25 tonnes fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and 3 -5 tonnes of palm oil per hectare (Ikuenobe 2010). Some technologies developed and promoted by NIFOR have been highlighted by Ikuenobe (2010). Unfortunately, Nigerian farmers have poorly adopted these production technologies.
No part of the oil palm is considered a waste as different cultures in Africa use the plant for various purposes (Gruca et al. 2015). In Nigeria, the plant is among the bio-resources widely used by native people in traditional medicine. For example, indigenous communities in Kogi State use the kernels of E. guineensis in the preparation of hair lotion and as anti-poison (Aniama et al. 2016) while the palm nuts are used as emmenagogue in Enugu State (Aiyeloja & Bello 2016) and in divination (consulting Ifa oracle) in some Yoruba states. In Akure, Nigeria the roots and stem bark together with the oil of the plant is used in the treatment of malaria, asthma, and measles (Olusola & Oyeleke 2015) while the decoction of the root is used to manage headache (Owoyele & Owolabi 2014). The stem is a component in anticancer regimen (Soladoye et al. 2010). Juice from the young leaves of the plant is used to treat earache (Idu et al. 2014). The powder of dry fronds is used to treat skin infections; decoction of palm fronds is administered in the treatment of gonorrhoea while dried leaves are used to stop excessive bleeding (Idu & Onyibe 2007). In the preparation of health remedies, traditional healers often infuse medicinal herbs in palm wine (Mbuagbaw & Noorduyn 2012).
This study describes the ethnobotany and evaluates the contribution of oil palm and allied products to the household economy of the Ikale and Ilaje speaking people of Ondo State, Nigeria. The aim is to provide information on the indigenous uses, trade of oil palm products, livelihood strategies and the processing techniques predominant in the study areas.

Study areas
The study was conducted in four (4) local government areas (Ese-Odo, Irele, Ilaje, and Okitipupa) of Ondo State, South-Western Nigeria ( Figure 1) and these areas were periodically visited. The defunct Ikale Local Government was split into Okitipupa Local Government (6° 32' 52" N, 4° 41' 56" E) and Irele Local Government (6° 29' 0" N, 4° 52' 0" E). Okitipupa LG is an Ikale speaking area sharing land borders with Ilaje Local Government to the south and Irele Local Government to the East. Hence, the Ikale people are found in Okitipupa and Irele LGAs of Ondo State; their language (Ikale) is considered as a dialect of the Yoruba language. The Ikales engage in agricultural businesses of maize, palm oil, vegetables, cocoyam, plantain, cassava, and timber. The Ilajes, on the other hand, are a distinct migratory coastal group residing in Ilaje Local Government (6° 12' 11" N, 4° 46' 4" E) and also found among Apoi and Arogbo-Ijaws in Ese Odo Local Government (6° 21' 18" N, 4° 51' 43" E) as well as in Okitipupa and Irele LGAs. The Ilajes speak the Ilaje language, which is also considered to be a dialect of the Yoruba language. The occupational activities of the Ilajes include farming, fishing, canoe construction, fish trap making, mat making, and trading. Overall, the primary economic activity in the study areas is agriculture while the principal crops are oil palm, plantain, and cassava (processed into varied food products). Other human activities include fishing, poultry, piggery and vegetable business. Apart from the study areas having common boundaries, the Ikale and Ilaje people share some ethnic attributes with appreciable cultural affinities.

Ethnobotanical
Investigations and Administration of Questionnaires Field trips involved the collection of palm fruits and interviews with producers and marketers of palm oil and related products. Ethnobotanical information on oil palm and its by-products was elicited from 99 respondents with the aid of structured questionnaires and personal interview (following ISE Code of Ethics 2006). Interviews were conducted in the local dialect (Ikale and Ilaje) and responses filled in the questionnaires especially for unschooled/illiterate respondents. All surveys and interviews were conducted between March 2017 and June 2018. Respondents were questioned separately to ensure reliability of information. The daily activities of the informants and their way of life were observed and carefully documented where necessary. The questionnaire was divided into two sections. Section 1 was on the demographic variables of respondents while section 2 evaluated the methods of collection, processing, and marketing of oil palm and its products. Informants were asked to explain the various methods used in processing as well as the tools/equipment used. The methods were recorded, and flowcharts were made accordingly. Photographs of the tools/equipment used were taken. Drawings of tools/equipment were also made on site.

Data Analysis
Data obtained from questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft Corporation) and analysed using simple descriptive statistics (frequency and percentages).

Demographic Characteristics of Respondents
Demographic variables of respondents are presented in Table 1. Ninety-nine (99) participants from four (4) local governments were sampled and interviewed. The informants were 68.7% male and 31.3% female. The age of the informants ranged from 20 -70 years. Educationally, 4 of the informants had Higher National Diploma (HND)/First degree, 6 possessed Ordinary National Diploma (OND)/Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), 33 had Senior School Certificate (SSC), and 42 possessed First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) while 14 were unschooled. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of the respondents were married, 7% single and 3% were widowed. In terms of religion, 98% were Christians while 2% practiced African Traditional Religion. Native informants numbered 61; others were non-natives. The respondents claimed that they had lived in the areas for a period between 5 and 20 years. The primary occupations of the informants were farming, trading, artisanship, and civil service.

Oil Palm in the Household Economy of the Informants
Cultivation of oil palm in the study areas serves as a means of livelihood for many of the informants. Palm oil, the major product, is derived from the mesocarp of the fruits (drupes) and features in soap and ointment preparations, and as margarine in cooking.
In the present study, three categories of people were identified in the processing of palm oil, viz. collectors, processors, and marketers. The first category comprised male youths while male and female workers were involved in the processing stage. Female members make the bulk of palm product marketing. The findings that males dominate the collection and processing phases and females the marketing phase is in line with reports of Ekine and Onu (2008), and Ajayi and Solomon (2010). FAO (2009) noted that women engage in palm oil processing in South-Western Nigeria. Similarly, Bassey (2016) submitted that women are involved in the commercialization of oil palm than men. However, in the business of oil palm, men have more social and economic benefits than women. The economics of palm oil processing in Ondo State has been reported by Olagunju (2008) who used profitability technique and multiple regressions to evaluate the cost and returns in palm oil processing enterprise in five towns (Irele, Okitipupa, Ese-Odo, Odigbo, Ikale) in Ondo State. This study presents the products derivable from the plant and their contribution to local economy of oil palm business owners. Our research did not consider the quantitative appraisal of processors' net returns. However, studies have shown that oil palm business is profitable (Chukwu et al. 2011, Ibitoye & Onje 2013, Onoja 2014. Furthermore, Bassey (2016) noted that palm oil is lucrative due to its uses and demand both locally and internationally and as substitute for soybean oil. Table 2 shows the factors that were considered in the evaluation of the importance of oil palm in the livelihood strategies of the informants. The household size of the sampled informants ranged from 2 to 8. All the respondents had at least 2 dependants. The informants highlighted that the worth of oil palm products (per month) ranged between ₦20,000 and ₦100,000 but the net profit fell between ₦5,000 and ₦50,000. The informants noted that collection of oil palm parts is both in dry and wet seasons and cited both subsistence and income as reasons for such collection. The informants further revealed that 2 -8 hours/day is employed in oil palm production activities, and likewise in other engagements (secondary occupations). Thirteen (13) respondents informed that their oil palm plantations lay about 5km from their settlements whereas 38 respondents had to move 5 -10km to their farms, and more than 10km for 48 of the informants. Similarly, distance of oil palm plantation to production site was ≤5km for 8 participants, 5 -10km for 48 participants, and more than 10km for 43 respondents. Of the sampled informants, 75.18% claimed that oil palm business contributed moderately to their monthly earnings. However, 18.2% informed that the contribution was adequate while 6% lamented low benefits from oil palm business.

Tools Used In Oil Palm Business and Production Methods
Major tools/equipment used in the processing of oil palm products are highlighted in Table 3 while Figures 2A-F are photographs of tools/equipment used in palm oil production processes. Notable ones include cracker, presser, digester, and cooker. Figures 3A-E show drawings of selected tools/machines used in the processing of palm oil. Hydraulic hand press was the predominant method of processing palm oil. With the current oil palm enterprise and crude production techniques in the study areas and other oil producing belts in Nigeria, high quality and internationally acceptable oil palm product is unrealistic. Kei et al. (1997) in their comparison of oil plantations found in Nigeria and Malaysia noted that production in Malaysia is on a large scale with modern processing methods whereas in Nigeria palm oil production is on a small scale and also characterized with manual production techniques. Oil palm plantation, a sub-sector in agricultural production, has remained in the hands of small farmers and producers. With increasing population and demand for palm oil, there is need to stress the importance of efficient methods of production and upgrading of small scale to medium and large-scale production. Figures 4-9 highlight the plant parts and flow of the stages of production/preparation of different palm products (palm oil, palm kernel oil, palm wine, broom, fish trap, and traditional soap). The traditional method of producing palm oil requires the manual harvesting of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). These are packed and slashed to remove the fruits. The fruits are fermented, and the product is filtered to remove impurities. The filtrate is then cooked and digested. The resulting solution is pressed, and the oil is stored in kegs or rubber drums. In the local production of palm kernel oil, the kernels are removed by cracking the shells and are thereafter sundried and smoked. Oils are then extracted by pressing the smoked seeds.    Palm wine tappers climb to the top of the palm tree (using climbing rope), prune the tree with cutlass, perforate the stem by the side or middle with tapping knife, and fasten a keg/calabash container to obtain the sap. The wine is later stored in big kegs/drums for personal consumption or sale. Tappers also use a destructive method which requires the cutting down of palm trees before the process of tapping begins. Felled palm trees are pruned by removing the fronds and inflorescences. They are perforated and the sap allowed drip into a keg placed at the hole made. This method is not sustainable as palm trees tapped in this way later become useless. In the making of broom, collectors cut down palm fronds and trim the leaflets to derive the rachis or mid-rib. The trimmed axis (still green) may be collated and packaged for use or sale. In another way, the strips are dried (become brown), selected, packaged and tightened using a fiber rope or elastic rubber ribbon. The dried (brown) strips are more commonly made for sale than the undried (green) broom. Fish trap weavers harvest palm fronds with petioles. The leaf stalks are removed, dried, and dressed. These are carefully woven into a cylindrical fish trap implement. To prepare local soap, palm kernel shells are charred (alkali base) and sieved. The ashes are cooked after being mixed with thick palm oil (Ikete). The suspension is allowed to cool, and the precipitate is later moulded into balls; these balls are stored for some days. They are later pressed and cooked again. The resulting product is further allowed to cool and then finally stored.   Figures 10A-F show a manual worker removing palm fruits from fresh fruit bunch, container for holding fruits, palm kernels, palm fibers, kernel waste, and palm fronds used as thatch for roofing a palm wine shop while Figures 11A-H are products that can be derived from different parts of oil palm. There is a general belief that all parts of palm tree are useful. In the study areas, the plant is the principal source of palm oil. Other products that are derived from oil palm parts are kernel meat (processed into livestock feed), palm kernel oil, palm wine, palm frond (for thatch), kernel shells for fuel, traditional soap and other products such as broom, fish trap and scarred stem (as bridge in some rural areas). The report of Reddy et al. (2019) is in agreement with some of the uses of oil palm tree observed in this study. Besides the social benefits (employment and income) of red palm oil and palm kernel oil production, the nutritional values of these oils have been assessed and also compared with other oil sources (Nagendran et al. 2000, Atasie & Akinhanmi 2009, Adetuyi et al. 2014, Mancini et al. 2015. The importance of carotene-rich red palm oil cannot be over-emphasized. The oil finds application is everyday culinary art. Besides the cooking uses, among the Ikale and Ilaje speaking people, palm oil is used as an antidote for poisoning in infants, as pain reliever, and as first aid in convulsing infants/teenagers. The oil is also used to ripen and soften boil, and together with sugar in the treatment of mild cough. It is also a component in many medicinal preparations (for skin diseases, whitlow, and as ointment for wounds). Gruca et al. (2014) have reported the ritual uses of palm oil. The oil (together with coconut fruit) is used to prevent miscarriage among the Yorubas in Nigeria. A preparation of Shea butter and palm oil, and ritual recitation of some words is considered effective in treating malaria.

Oil Palm Products
Palm kernel oil produced in the study areas is consumed and sold in markets (Ayeka, Okitipupa, Irele and Igbokoda) close to the study communities. Kernel shells are used to fill eroded routes leading to the processing sites in the study areas. Shells and chaff are also used as fuel materials during boiling and sterilization. Atasie and Akinhanmi (2009) reported the indigenous uses of kernel oil as local body creams, medicines and dressings of minor wounds. The oil is also used industrially as vegetable oil and in soap production (Ekpa 1995). On a grand scale, palm kernel residues are viable materials in biofuel production (Ayetor et al. 2015).
Palm wine is a beverage obtained by natural fermentation of the sap of various types of palm trees. This indigenous wine can be obtained from E. guineensis (this study) and some Raphia spp. and is regarded as a refreshing beverage served as a drink during kingship, marriage and naming ceremonies in some parts of Nigeria. In the study areas, palm wine is used to treat malaria. It is served as a drink and used to bath in the management of jaundice and measles. The wine is also used to promote lactation, treat conjunctivitis, and improve eyesight (Mbuagbaw & Noorduyn 2012). Palm wine not only serves as source of revenue but also as source of medicinal, alcoholic, and sugary materials (Ikegwu 2014). Palm wine tapping is common in many palmgrowing regions and is a major occupational engagement among rural folks in Nigeria (Obahiagbon 2009). Traditional methods of tapping have been reported by Ikegwu (2014) and Mba et al. (2019). A destructive and unsustainable method of tapping was observed in the study areas.
Brooms are household items that have been used for centuries to clean houses, yards, gardens, roadsides, and streets; some brooms are also used to collect grain during threshing (Nedelcheva et al. 2007). They are domestically produced and handmade from tree branches, shrubs and palms. Broom making is a local business that creates jobs for families and communities (Barboza 2000). Being a utility item, the production contributed to the livelihood means and economy of the people in the study areas.
Natural materials are used in the construction of traditional fishery and fishing-related tools and equipment (Savo et al. 2013). Studies on the uses of plants in traditional fishery are scarce and fragmentary (Peroni et al. 2008). However, the use of Cocos nucifera and splits from Bambusa vulgaris in traditional fish trapping devices has been reported (Baruah et al. 2013, Savo et al. 2013). On the other hand, durable traps or nets made from synthetic materials are common.
Soap is a commodity that is in high demand because of its usefulness in general cleaning. In this study, the ashes of the palm kernel shells serve as the alkali base for the local production of soap while the thick palm oil (Ikete) is the fat and oil component. Irvine (1965) noted that many agricultural wastes (palm bunch waste, kolanut pods, cocoa pods, maize cob etc.) when burnt give ashes that are rich in potassium and sodium. Osagie and Enyi (2015) found that soaps produced from agricultural wastes could compete favourably with any standard soap. Ogunsuyi and Akinnawo (2012) compared the quality and chemical characteristics of black soap (obtained from palm bunch ash-derived alkali and coconut oil through traditional and improved methods) and synthetic alkali soap. The authors concluded that high demands and cost of synthetically produced soaps could be reduced by exploring vegetable matter in local soap production. Apart from this benefit, the recovery and conversion of agricultural wastes will also sustain our environment and reduce land and water pollution.

Challenges and Future Prospects of Oil Palm Business
Respondents listed scarcity of harvester, difficulty during harvest, price fluctuation, weather constraints, poor road network, theft, poor attitude of laborers to work, high cost of equipment maintenance, and low patronage (for fish trap) as challenges they are facing in the oil palm business. All the informants agreed that for an improvement in local livelihoods to occur oil palm plantations must be expanded by acquiring more land space for farming, and viable seedlings must be procured. In addition, mechanization of production processes, provision of social amenities (water, electricity, hospitals etc.) and provision of credit facilities to upgrade small scale farming to medium/large scale are necessary. Price regulation, tax reduction, provision of aids and support in form of loans, grants, equipment, improvement of road network (especially where collection sites are far from processing sites), and product promotion to increase patronage fall in the government's domain. Individuals and governments need to identify the areas of need and support. Private-Public Partnerships (PPP) should be encouraged.

Conclusions
This study has reported the ethnobotanical uses of products derivable from Elaeis guineensis and its contribution to the livelihood strategies of the Ikale and Ilaje speaking people of Ondo State, Nigeria. Oil palm products play important roles in everyday activities of the people. These products find application in many medicinal preparations, traditional ceremonies, and as household items. In the study communities, palm oil production is characterized by crude processing methods. We believe that the equipment/tools used in the processing of various products from the plant could be improved or modernized to enhance production, product appeal, and income. In addition, small-scale oil palm processors should be encouraged to use improved planting materials and acquire the integrated small-scale processing equipment developed by NIFOR. Government should also provide credit facilities in the form of investment funds to step up production as inefficient processing methods result to loss of considerable palm oil products. Efforts should be geared towards the sustainable use of palm resources. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate: All informants gave their consent prior to the commencement of the study after they were duly informed. Consent for Publication: The informants agreed that the photographs of the tools/equipment and that of the manual workers and processors could be published. Availability of Data and Materials: Datasets were not deposited in public repositories. Competing Interests: Authors declare no competing interests of any kind. Funding: Authors received no funds/grants for this study. Authors Contributions: SME and DOA conceived and designed the study. All authors (SME, DOA, OAT and SOO) were involved in data collection (questionnaire administration and interviews). SME did the data analysis and wrote the first draft of the manuscript. DOA reviewed and edited the first draft. All authors approved the final draft.