ACACIA SEYAL AND ACACIA SIEBERANA—SOURCES OF COMMERCIAL GUM TALHA IN NIGER AND UGANDA

SUMMARY Because of the high cost of food grade gum arabic (negative optical rotation, from Acacia Senegal (L.) Willd.), there is a growing international demand for good quality gum talha (positive optical rotation) for technological applications, available from trees (Acacia seyal and A. sieberana) growing in Niger and in Uganda (A. seyal). There are good opportunities for agroforestry developments in these countries if increased attention is given to meeting the modern marketing requirements of gum trading.