Nutrecul Agroforestry Project

Reviving Treculia Africana: A Path to Nourishment and Environmental Sustainability

In 2012, Jean had the privilege of meeting Guido Lasat, a Flemish bakery consultant and former colonial with a deep commitment to agro-forestry. For 25 years, Lasat collaborated with the CICM Missionaries on a transformative project in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As someone with Congolese heritage, a horticulturist, and a nature enthusiast, Jean was driven to find solutions to combat malnutrition, protect the environment, and improve livelihoods in the land of his ancestors. Lasat entrusted him with the legacy of his work, presenting Jean with a folder of papers and fieldwork findings. His parting words were, "I give you a project. It is a challenging gift, but I believe you are the right person. Be cautious, and you will help many people." Tragically, Jean learned a year and a half later that Lasat had passed away from cancer.

Father Jacques Bijttebier, a Belgian missionary stationed deep in the rainforest along the Congo River, made a remarkable discovery in 1974. After some pygmy hunters failed to return, Bijttebier ventured into the forest and found a large tree with unusual fruits and skeletal remains of pygmies around it. This tree, later identified as Treculia africana or African breadfruit, had been known to science for 129 years thanks to French botanist A. Trecul, but Bijttebier's findings were crucial in highlighting its potential.

Over the next 19 years, Father Bijttebier dedicated himself to studying Treculia africana, collaborating with Belgian laboratories and universities. His work included identifying the best varieties, mapping its distribution, and demonstrating its nutritional and agricultural value. He published findings on Treculia flour in 1978 and traveled globally in the 1990s to advocate for its benefits.

Treculia africana is a versatile tree. Its fruit can be processed into various food products, including bread, pasta, and baby food. The seeds, after maceration and grinding, can be used to produce a non-alcoholic beverage and edible oil. The tree also offers ecological benefits, improving soil quality and providing mulch for intercropping. On a 1-hectare plot, 500 trees can yield up to 10 tons of fruit annually, requiring no plucking, as fruits fall naturally. The tree thrives in a range of tropical and subtropical environments, including areas as diverse as the Congo and Chad. Father Bijttebier's research, supported by the FAO, identified around 8,000 potential sites for cultivation. Yet, despite its promise, Treculia africana has been overshadowed.

In 2012, Jean discovered that the FAO had not fully acknowledged Bijttebier's work. The organization, like many UN bodies, faces challenges related to corruption and influence from vested interests. This reflects a larger issue where humanitarian aid and agricultural interventions are often manipulated to serve commercial interests rather than addressing the root causes of poverty and malnutrition.

To address this, Jean plans to significantly expand the cultivation of Treculia africana. By multiplying trees through tissue culture, he estimates the cost to be $2.5 per tree, aiming to plant 2 million hectares across Africa. This initiative could produce 20 million tons of fruit annually, addressing malnutrition at a lower cost than current aid expenditures. Additionally, these trees would sequester approximately 1.13 billion tons of CO2 over 30 years.

Despite opposition from various Western entities seeking to block his efforts, Jean remains committed to this cause. He has already begun establishing testing fields in the DRC, CAR, Uganda, and South Sudan and is seeking partnerships with African governments and NGOs to scale this project.

Jean welcomes collaboration and support from organizations and governments interested in advancing this initiative. Together, we can make a significant impact on both climate change and food security.