Hidden The experiences recorded in Non Timber Forest Products for livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation: Resources documenting Kenyan experiences are intended to stimulate an innovative and constructive approach to environmental Non Timber Forest Products for livelihood management particularly in those woodland areas threa- improvement and biodiversity conservation: tened by increasing aridity. The case studies selected by documenting Kenyan experiences PELUM Kenya and its partner organizations document the way communities living adjacent to forest areas identified and developed NTFP activities that have contributed to livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation. Now that these experiences have been documented they can be shared with other communities living and working in similar agro-ecological areas. The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation - CTA, Pelum Kenya and Agromisa have cooperated in ensuring the publication and distrubation of this book. isbn 978-90-8573-118-4 Agro Special 8 2009 Hidden Resources Non Timber Forest Products for livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation: documenting Kenyan experiences Colophon Contributors Kazi Mbele Self-help Group; Vihiga Farmers Action Net- work; the Murangiri Herbal Clinic; the Acacia Ngua Mlambo Development Trust; Mrs Waweru and the Gatanyu Farmers Group; Kavingoni Beekeepers Self-help group; Wanjuli Self- help Group; Mutanda Self-help Group; Rift Valley Stinging Nettle Community; Community Food Environmental Group; Kakamega Environmental Education Programme; Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina Group; Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise; Dida Forest Adjacent Area Forest Association. Steering Committee members Harun Kiruki, Project Officer, KAFU; Nellie Oduor, Senior Research Officer, KEFRI; Dr. Simon Njiru Murangiri, Medical Herbalist, Murangiri Herbal Clinic; Francis Kea, Consultant in Entrepreneurship Development and Herbal Cosmetics, Kwale Herbal Products; Polly Wachira, Network- ing and Information Manager, SACDEP; Maryleen Micheni, Research and Information Management Programme Officer, PELUM Kenya; Rob Witte, Agromisa; Zachary Makanya, Country Coordinator, PELUM Kenya Illustrations & photographs: Samual Ombasa and partner organisations Copywriter: Marilyn Minderhoud-Jones Proofreader: Linda Keya Design and layout: Miek Saaltink isbn 978-90-8573-118-4 Agromisa co-publication in cooperation with Pelum Kenya and CTA. November 2009. Foreword Land scarcity and conflict are frequently the result of environmental degradation. Forests and woodlots play an important role in preserving both the environment and ecological services and one of the most devastating results of the rapid decline of Kenya’s forests has been the erosion of water reserves and biodiversity. Today, as a result of exploitative human activity, the once rich forests of Kenya now cover little more than 2% of the country. Interventions at household level are needed to reverse this trend and - to be successful - these interventions must to be informed by an understanding of the relationship between forest vegetative cover and a healthy ecological environment - one capable of providing social as well as economic benefits. The experiences recorded in Non Timber Forest Products for livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation: documenting Kenyan experiences are intended to stimulate an innovative and constructive approach to environmental management particularly in those woodland areas threatened by increasing aridity. The case studies selected by PELUM Kenya and its partner organizations document the way communities living adjacent to forest areas identified and developed NTFP activities that have contributed to livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation. Now that these experiences have been documented they can be shared with other communities living and working in similar agro-ecological zones. The case studies described in this AgroSpecial focus on how communities came to realize the potential of their forests and - by adopting specific NTFP activities – called a halt to practices that lead to woodland degradation. At the national level, the commercial value of NTFP production is difficult to assess but the impact of the activities described here are clear. The careful development of NTFPs not only leads to enhanced community health and welfare, but also contributes to restoring and conserving local biodiversity. We hope that these experiences will stimulate others to explore the hidden resources of their forests and woodlands and discover that NTFP can provide a sustainable livelihood and contribute to the development of a greener environment capable of resisting some of the impacts of climate change. ZACHARy MAKANyA, october 2009 3 Abbreviations ASF Arabuko Sokoke Forest ASFADA Arabuko Sokoke Forest Adjacent Dwellers Association ASAL Arid and Semi-arid Lands BIODICOMO Biodiversity Community Mobilization Volunteers CBO Community Based Organisation CFA Community Forest Association CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna COFEG Community Food and Environmental Group COSDEP Community Sustainable Development Empowerment Programme DIFAAFA Dida Forest Adjacent Area Forest Association EAWS East African Wildlife Society FAN Forest Action Network FAO Food & Agriculture Organisation ICCO Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation ICIPE International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology ICRAF World Agro-Forestry Centre INADES Africa Institute for Social and Economic Development IPR Intellectual Property Rights ISCATI Integrated Sustainable Community Agro-forestry Technology Initiative KAFU Kenya Association of Forest Users KAPP Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project KARI Kenya Agricultural Research Institute KEEP Kakamega Environmental Education Programme KEFRI Kenya Forestry Research Institute KEMRI Kenya Medical Research Institute KFS Kenya Forest Services KWS Kenya Wildlife Services MFCG Mutiro Farmers Conservation Groups MOTNG Msulwa Organisation for Tree Nursery Groups NECOFA (Kenya) Networking for EcoFarming in Africa NMDT Ngua Malambo Development Trust NTFP Non timber forest products PELUM Participatory Ecological Land Use Management PFM Participatory Forest Management RPSUD Regional Programme for the Sustainable Development of the Drylands ROD (Kenya) Rural Outreach Development Initiative SACDEP (Kenya) Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Programme SWAK Society for Women and AIDS in Kenya USAID United States Aid programme VIFAN Vihiga Integrated Farmers Network WN World Neighbours 4 Content Foreword 3 Abbreviations 4 Captured in words: tapping into the potential of NTFP 6 NTFP: the context 8 Section One: Foods and forage 13 Guavas offer new livelihood opportunities for ex-convicts. 15 Moringa: providing a livelihood for small-scale farmers 16 Good Weeds: an individual initiative 20 Feeding indigenous and dairy goats with Acacia tortilis 22 Section Two: At work in the forest 24 Honey production in Gatunyu: a farmer’s experience 25 Kavingoni Beekeepers – the INADES Foundation 26 Bees solving community conflicts: Wanjuki Beekeeping Self-help Group 29 Beekeeping offers a livelihood in arid and semi-arid lands 31 Section Three: Health and welfare 33 Stinging nettles: a local tradition helps revive health and welfare 34 Promoting Prunus africana as a herbal medicine 37 Conservation through utilization: on-farm pharmacies 38 Commercializing an indigenous medicinal plant: Mondia whytei 41 Section Four: Linking with Tourism 44 Ecotourism – Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) 45 ZUIA NDOVU na Casuarina: finding a solution to human wildlife conflict 47 Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary 50 Millennium woodcarvers cooperative: creative conservation 51 Section Five: Not just for export 52 Wealth from Africa’s aloes: aloe promotion and utilization 53 Aloe vera potential yet to be exploited in Dida 56 Butterfly farming: habitat development strengthens biodiversity 58 A question of marketing 59 Getting to grips with the challenge 60 Appendix: Some useful addresses for further information 62 Captured in words: tapping into the potential of NTFP Many innovative and successful attempts to strengthen NTFP activities were fully documented. livelihoods and welfare in poor and marginal areas have This AgroSpecial emphasises the two main objectives of never been documented. They remain inaccessible even the writeshop. First, to show those living in close proxim- though they could be of great value to communities and ity to potential NTFP how they can integrate these into households living in similar ecological and economic their livelihood strategies and second to illustrate how areas. The objective of the write-shop Non Timber Forest livelihood improvement can be effectively combined with Products for improved livelihood and biodiversity conserva- conservation. The relationship between resource use tion: documenting Kenyan experiences was to encourage management and biodiversity conservation is particularly those who had taken initiatives in the Non Timber Forest critical in areas where the market-orientated innovations Product (NTFP) sector to come forward and describe their of small-scale producers take place in degraded or endan- experiences. gered forest environments. PELUM Kenya, Kenya Association of Forest Users (KAFU) The NTFP experiences presented during the writeshop had and Agromisa together with the Kenya Forest Research been selected according to specific criteria. The initiatives Institute (KEFRI) and representatives of NGOs, Community described had to be economically viable and contribute to Forest Associations (CFA), government departments and livelihood security. They also had to be technologically ap- research institutions guided the documentation process. propriate, show awareness of current heath, safety and en- They developed a framework for the initial stages of data vironmental standards and be developed from sustainable collection and – during the writeshop itself - worked with resources in an ecologically sensitive way. This included participants to clarify the issues and concerns raised dur- showing how, for example, the commercial exploitation ing discussion. Their understanding of the needs of those of a particular plant species can affect local ecology and living and working in often under-utilized forested and natural biodiversity - an issue that is particularly relevant woodland areas played an important role in ensuring that in areas where beekeepers were introducing flowering the factors involved in initiating and managing sustainable shrubs and trees. Attention was also given to the social 6 NTFP write-shop participants at work: considering the implication and economic impact of newly introduced NTFP activities. production and the volume of monetary and non-monetary Did changing work patterns have a negative effect on the returns per production cycle. It was difficult to meet these workloads and physical strength of those involved, for criteria not only because they involved issues of confiden- example, and were these new activities socially acceptable tiality, but also because there are considerable variations to men as well as women and youth? in the extent to which communities keep records of their Efforts were made to ensure that the processes involved activities. The writeshop highlighted the importance of in developing NTFP were described as fully as possible. enabling communities to monitor and document their work Some of the experiences documented were comparatively so they could more accurately calculate the volume of non recent and the communities involved were still dealing with timber forest resources needed to produce regular and the challenges of ensuring regular production. This gave satisfactory returns while conserving biodiversity. an insight into the particular difficulties of sustaining NTFP and during discussion participants shared experiences of meeting these challenges. In some of the case studies no specific details were given of production processes and marketing strategies. This was because they involved commercially valuable innova- tions and knowledge. It was left up to the participants themselves to decide how far they were prepared to share information that might be protected by intellectual property rights (IPR), farmers’ rights or patents. In order to make a precise estimate of the socio-economic impact of NTFP activities on community livelihoods, data is needed on the amount of labour and time involved in 7 NTFP: the context The term non-timber forest products refers to all biologi- these contributions go unrecorded in national statistics. cal materials other than timber that are extracted for Little is known about the yield and regeneration levels of human use from natural forests, farmlands or managed species delivering NTFPs because it is difficult to monitor woodlands. They include spices, essential oils, fodder, the way these commodities are produced and used. The resins, gums, latex and dyes as well as tanning materials, fact that there are many types of NTFPs - all of which are ornamental plants, wildlife products and the fibres and managed by different government departments and agen- wood used by builders and craftsmen. Many communities cies - increases the complexity of integrating effective and rely on their knowledge of the nutritional and medicinal sustainable non-timber forest production into rural liveli- properties of trees and shrubs to cure disease and im- hood strategies. prove health. Long value chains and growing interest Local and national value Since 1992 and the Rio Summit on environment and The way households use forest-derived products and development there has been a growing interest in the way services depend on the socio-cultural and economic NTFPs can support the livelihoods and welfare of rural values of their communities. Urban consumer demand communities. Although modern forestry favours timber pro- and the interests of local and international traders also duction and large-scale enterprises over NTFPs, in many play a significant role in determining the commercial value countries NTFP-based enterprises employ more people of NTFPs. In Kenya, for example, 80% of medicines used than the formal timber trade. In addition, the production locally come from traditional herbal or forest sources while of NTFPs generally involves many different types of activ- exports of NTFPs also make an important contribution to ity and when production, collection, processing, storage, the national income. transportation and marketing takes place at the local In many communities NTFPs are an important source of level, the value generated is more likely to be retained by food particularly in the period between harvests. However, the communities, households and groups involved. 8 Factors determining NTFP value chain development The factors that determine the way a NTFP value chain develops include: • Institutional setting: legal framework, policy and IPRs; • Source of the interventions that has stimulated the NTFP initiative: individual experience, CBOs programmes, government policy, international/local NGOs etc; • Access to market information and understanding of consumer needs; • Skills, aptitude, motivation and access to training particularly in management and marketing; • Infrastructure: credit and finance; transport; marketing network; publicity; • Benefit of initiatives to the community: benefit sharing. Kakamega forest, one of the last remnants of the once extensive Guinea Congo forest and a rich source of NTFPs 9 Forest Act 2005: Enabling non-timber forest production The recent Forest Act (2005) builds on Kenya’s experiences with Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and emphasizes the role of communities in forest conservation and the maintenance of environmental services. It explicitly promotes the sustainable production and utilisation of NTFP and highlights the im- portance of intensifying research and training initiatives that could lead to the domestication of commer- cially viable species. The Community Forest Associations (CFA) defined in the Act are seen as creating an enabling environment for resource management and benefit sharing. They can participate in the conser- vation and management of a state forest or local authority forest and are responsible to the Director of Kenya Forest Service (KFS). Under the terms of the Act, CFAs can enter into agreement with the KFS and take responsibility for the management of specific NTFP resources. These include the collection of medicinal herbs, the harvesting of honey and timber and the use of grass for fodder and grazing. The Forest Act also makes provision for the development of ecotourism, recreational programmes as well as scientific and educational activities in forest areas. Contracts for the development of community timber and non timber forest based indus- tries must not conflict with the conservation of biodiversity. Women and youth are seen as playing an important role in conservation and the Act indicates that more opportunities will be provided for women and youth to take part in forest training and education. The Government also intends to involve women and youth in participatory forest management (PFM) and the improved control of resources. The role of youth is especially significant. Encouraging young people to take more responsibility for the management of forests will ensure that future generations grow up with an understanding of the value and vulnerability of their forests and woodlands and a readiness to be- come involved when decisions affecting them are made. 10 As the illustrations on these pages show, tree nurseries are established to increase access to nutritious and functional NTFPs. At the same time - at a convenient distance from the rural homestead - stinging nettles are carefully cultivated, plucked and dried to ensure that added value remains within the community. The value chain can be used to highlight the value real- munities do not have a good overview of the actual and po- ized during each stage of a production process and can tential markets for their NTFPs. This puts them at a disad- indicate, for example, where improvements or changes are vantage when it comes to setting a value on their products needed in order to ensure producers benefit as fully as and work. In the same way, some communities are unable possible. Information generated by value chain analysis to take advantage of the resources of their forests and can also help households weigh the advantages of mar- wooded areas because they lack information about market ket-orientated activity against the benefits of investing in opportunities. It has been suggested that there has been NTFPs that contribute to strengthening the social, cultural an insufficiently “aggressive approach” to marketing NTFPs and physical well-being of their communities. and that, in general, more market research is needed to Such considerations are important because they focus identify consumer needs and preferences. attention on the need to develop strategies to coordinate Other common problems in the NTFP sector include low processing, marketing and quality control in such a way levels of production and unreliable sources of raw materi- that communities do not become unnecessarily depend- als. High rates of post-harvest losses and poor production ent on monopolists, middlemen and processors who will techniques that lead to the waste of valuable resources absorb a disproportionate amount of any profit generated. during extraction also seriously undermine productivity. If communities get returns that reflect the full value of Technical support and farmer-orientated research are their product and work they can be motivated to abandon needed to deal with these types of problems and also to unsustainable practices that deplete forest reserves. ensure optimal levels of quality control and product diver- sification. Challenges Better access to credit facilities and training in manage- Ecological, commercial and legislative issues determine ment can help communities improve sustainability and how far NTFP enterprises can maintain a sustained flow facilitate scaling-up. Institutional factors also play a critical of products that are consistent in quality and quantity. As role in the effective development of non-timber forest long as the market for NTFP remains undeveloped much production. Primary producers who organise themselves trading will take place in the informal sector. Often com- into traders groups and cooperatives can limit the number 11 of intermediaries involved in processing and marketing. This enables them to retain more of the profit generated by their NTFP activities. Alternative livelihood strategies There is an increasing need to find ways in which local for- est resources can be used to strengthen local livelihoods and welfare in areas characterized by food insecurity and where income generating opportunities are severely restricted. Aridity, underdeveloped infrastructure, unfavour- able agro-ecological conditions as well as a lack of access to financial and other services have led many communities to exploit timber reserves in an unsustainable way. Once promising NTFPs initiatives have been identified, scaling-up and replication is often complicated by problems associ- ated with land tenure and user rights. The Kenyan experience of non-timber forest production shows that community motivation to conserve biodiversity increases when households are introduced to the benefits and commercial value of incorporating NTFP activities into their livelihood strategies. However, it is important to draw a distinction between initiatives that aim to strengthen community relations and improve welfare, health, and nutri- tion in rural households and the - often - quite different processes involved in bringing commercial products onto wider national, regional or international markets. Legislative provisions and Community Forest Associati- ons (CFAs) The Kenya situation is particularly interesting because of the Forestry Act that came into force in 2005. While the implications of the Act for those whose livelihoods increas- ingly depend on NTFP are considerable and offer many op- portunities, those involved in implementing its provisions face many challenges including ensuring that the role and responsibility of the new CFAs is well understood and sup- ported by all concerned. 12 1Foods and forage Guavas offer new livelihood opportunities for ex-convicts. Moringa: providing a livelihood for small-scale farmers Good Weeds: an individual initiative Feeding indigenous and dairy goats with acacia tortilis 13 Guavas offer new livelihood Psidium guajuva - commonly known as guava - flourishes opportunities for ex-convicts. in areas below 2000m where the annual rainfall is about 900mm. The tree tolerates water logging, dry spells and a variety of soil conditions and can be found in many parts Kazi Mbele Self-help Group is a Community Based Organi- of Western Kenya. It is easy to propagate and an estimat- sation (CBO) located in Mumias district in Kenya’s Western ed 47 to 52 tonnes of fruit can be obtained per hectare. Province. The group was set up in 2006 by Swed Atibuk These must be harvested with care to avoid bruising. who is a member of the community but had been in prison With his RODI certificate in hand Akibuk finally left prison. because he could not pay his fines. Things looked bleak He did not find it difficult to set up guava processing for him and his wife and children and - what was worse activities. Costs are low and the utensils needed can be - they were stigmatized by their community. However, while found in every kitchen. The only ingredients that have to be in prison Atibuk had been trained in jam and juice making bought are lemons and sugar. Pots and bottles for storing and when he was released he used these skills to start a and marketing jams and juices can be collected locally. new life. Now it is not only his family who are enjoying the Akibuk shared his knowledge with his neighbours and a benefits but his neighbours as well. guava production group – Kazi Mbele - was set up. Fifty Resources Oriented Development Initiatives (RODI) - a percent of the jam the group now produces is eaten by registered NGO - and the Kenya Prisons Department work the families of group members while the rest is sold together on projects designed to rehabilitate prisoners by at local markets. When energy costs, sugar and the introducing them, for example, to food processing, sericul- jam makers’ labour - collecting the fruit, preparing the ture, beekeeping and mushroom growing. RODI works with jam, marketing the product - are taken into account the penal and correctional reform networks and runs special Group still make an acceptable profit. Turning a fruit that capacity building and counselling programmes for prison- would otherwise be left to rot in the forest into a money ers with HIV/AIDS in Nyanza, Western, Central, Rift Valley earner has meant a lot to these household and is in line and Nairobi provinces. with the objectives of RODI’s community development Twenty-three prisons and an estimated one hundred men programmes. and women prisoners have been involved in programmes designed to shorten the process of rehabilitation and Challenges speed up community acceptance. RODI monitors the Even though local people do not eat much bread and progress of its trainees and the case of Swed Atibuk illus- eating fruit and fruit products is not common there are trates how successful it can be. niche markets for guava products particularly in the urban areas and as demand grows so does the demand Taking the initiative for fruit. Tree breeding programmes that focus on the While in Kakamega prison, Atibuk attended one of RODI’s production of larger, more succulent fruit than those jam and juice making training sessions. The training had found in the wild could contribute to the quality of jams focused on making guava, mango, avocado, tomato and and juices. To keep up with demand Kazi Mbele mem- paw-paw jam and juice but Atibuk seemed most interested bers have planted about 50 guava seedlings. But as in guavas because - although the fruit was available – it trees flower and fruit at the same time good storage had not attracted much interest. He also understood that is essential to maintain year-round production. Finding it could help provide those living with HIV/AIDS with better effective ways of storing and preserving their fruit is one nourishment. Guavas are known to contain high levels of of the issues currently being discussed by Kazi Mbele zinc, a mineral that is important for the chronically sick. members. 14 A mature guava tree A utensil used in sterilizing guava jam Lack of clean water has also proved to be a major chal- ence with guava processing is that efforts to produce the lenge. Particular attention has to be given to the purity best quality product possible must be complemented by and cleanliness of ingredients and equipment if product activities that stimulate and create a market for what - for quality and consumer confidence is to be maintained. many - may be an unfamiliar product. Technical interventions as well as the development of a government endorsed certification system to support these types of NTFP activities are essential. In addi- tion experience has shown that communities engaged in (fruit) tree propagation often do not have the information they need to enable them to cultivate without putting pressure on their soil and water resources. Documenting the experiences of ex-prisoners in setting up guava and other fruit processing activities and sharing these through community development networks and the media helps pinpoint these challenges and focuses attention on the measures needed to ensure sustainable development. A critical factor highlighted in this example of NTFP activity is the importance of developing market demand. Cottage industry in Kenya has - to some extent - a negative image and this - combined with a relatively inelastic market for fruit products - is a problem for those trying to enter the retail market. One of the lessons RODI has learned from its experi- 15 Moringa: providing a livelihood for small-scale farmers The Vihiga Farmers Action Network (VIFAN) aims to popularize useful agricultural and agroforestry technolo- gies. Its integrated community development and health programme includes establishing family nutrition gardens in an effort to fight malnutrition, address micro nutrient deficiency and provide farmers with an opportunity to diversify their on-farm income. The moringa tree project started in 2000 and the bene- fits to farmers have been considerable. When introduced into a farming system, moringa can provide an impor- tant safety net and help prevent households falling into poverty. The tree has considerable value and its bark and A moringa tree and its leaf structure leaves can be used in many ways. Moringa oleifera is a pan-tropical species that is known by many names. It is a shrub that grows into a small tree. In Vihiga, it is known as “omunavulamu” meaning that it increase the yield of most crops by 25% to 30%. gives health or “mrina” because it is mother’s best friend. Moringa leaves can also be used for biogas production, its Although there are more than 13 species of moringa with- shoots for green manure and the seeds of Moringa oleif- in the monogeneric family moringaceae, moringa oleifera era are recognized as one of the most effective primary is the most widely cultivated species in Kenya. Moringa coagulants in water treatment as they have the capacity is already an important crop in most parts of Western to remove up to 99% of any bacteria present. The seeds Kenya and is especially prevalent in Vihiga where it has harvested from a single mature tree – about 3kg – are been grown for nearly ten years. sufficient to treat about 30,000 litres of water. Moringa’s All parts of the tree are edible and have beneficial proper- purifying properties also make it an effective domestic ties. Currently scientific research indicates that moringa cleaning agent and bio-pesticide. In powdered form mor- is a nutritional power house and can be used to relieve inga seeds can be used to treat bacterial skin infections. up to 300 health problems. Not only does the moringa Moringa has commercial uses as well. Moringa oil, when tree offer new business opportunities to small-scale farm- used in cooking, has a quality similar to olive oil. It is also ers in Western Kenya, it also contributes to the develop- used to lubricate delicate machinery, fuel lamps and in the ment of their natural resources. manufacture of soap, perfume and hair care products. Moringa has many uses. Fresh leaves can be cooked and eaten as vegetables. Adding moringa to cattle feed Taking the initiative has the potential to increase the milk yield of dairy cows VIFAN participated in several of the high-value tree projects and the daily weight gain of beef cattle by 30%. Moringa organized by the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in- leaves also contain nutrients important to the develop- cluding one related to the propagation and utilization of ment of pigs and poultry and the juice from fresh moringa moringa. From this experience a project was developed leaves can be used as a plant growth hormone that can that aimed to promote moringa as an essential household 16 From moringa seeds to the powders that can be sold to help Expressing valuable moringa oil using a ram press relieve common complaints vegetable. VIFAN works closely with social development as- ness Development and Marketing Centre was opened in sistants, community health workers attached to hospitals, Gambogi-Vihiga District to collect, package and market the Society for Women and AIDS in Kenya and the Ministry moringa powder. Posters describing the benefits of mor- of Agriculture in Vihiga and Western Province. Through inga were also printed in local languages as part of VIFAN’s these networks it has been able to stimulate interest in effort to meet a growing demand for information. Teachers the moringa project. were also approached because it was realised that what Information on the benefits and uses of moringa were children learn at school is often passed on to the family at collected to demonstrate the value of establishing mor- home. Books, booklets, pamphlets, T-shirts and hats were inga gardens. VIFAN’s outreach programme included used to promote moringa as well. community sensitization seminars and monthly forums. There is a growing demand for moringa products. As more Information was distributed to self-help groups and during medical professionals and nutritionalists discover the farmers meeting and women church leaders’ conferences. effectiveness of using moringa to treat high blood pres- Schools, hospitals and dispensaries were encouraged to sure, diabetes, anaemia, TB and other disorders, a growing plant moringa and training was provided for those inter- number of dispensaries and clinics are stocking moringa ested in growing, managing and using it. Efforts were also powder. It is much less expensive that conventional types made to further develop the technologies being used at of medication. village level to process and add value to moringa. However, before farmers start or plan to up-scale moringa- Early in 2005, VIFAN established the Moringa Development based products, they need information on the opportuni- Programme and developed a social marketing strategy. ties and challenges they are likely to face. VIFAN keeps Relatives and friends were encouraged to pass on their a careful watch on the way the moringa production chain experiences of using moringa products to help promote is developing to ensure that opportunities for increasing the cultivation and use of organic moringa. An Agribusi- production and upgrading are identified and promotional 17 Processing moringa leaf powder Once leaves have been harvested, they are washed in warm water to remove sand and dust. During harvesting and leaf cleaning strict hygiene must be maintained and hands must be thoroughly washed with soap and a lot of water. After the leaves have been rinsed they are stripped from their branches and placed in a drying room or solar drier. The moist leaves are spread out on a table or screened tray in thin layers to allow air to circulate freely. The drying area should be kept very clean and although a window should be kept open for ventilation, the leaves must be protected against direct sunlight because this can destroy their Vitamin A content. The time leaves take to dry will depend on humidity levels. During the rainy season four days are needed but in the dry season two days are enough. Once the leaves have been dried they are crushed using a pestle and motor, a mill- ing stone, a blender or sent to a posho mill depending on whether they are intended for domestic or commercial use. The powder is then sieved several times and stored in plastic containers and bags ready for sale. activities are well focused. In doing so, it takes all aspects and marketable product moringa can help break the cycles of the chain into consideration from strengthening seedling of ill health, malnutrition and physical weakness that un- production and distribution to supporting the position of dermine the labour productivity of many rural communities. women on family land. It also lobbies for more research. But promotion is essential. Marketing surveys are needed to monitor existing demand, identify new market opportu- Challenges nities and ensure that moringa products meet customer But there are challenges. Moringa trees are susceptible needs. As access to moringa products improves and new to diplodia roof rot in waterlogged conditions and this can sales outlet are established VIFAN continues to focus on discourage farmers. Termites, caterpillars and birds feed awareness and training. on moringa leaves and if nurseries and plantations are not well protected cattle, goats and poultry will not only eat moringa seedlings but also any leaves within their reach. Improved processing methods and equipment are needed but it is difficult to find funds to up-scale activities and sup- port farmers in gaining access to niche markets in the face of increasing competition from sophisticated international companies. Extension services as well as NGOs, churches and govern- ment agencies concerned with improving the health and welfare of rural households can play a strategic role in overcoming these challenges by supporting the further de- velopment of moringa. As a dietary supplement, medicine 18 Tree nurseries ensure the sustainability of NTFP activities and have a critical impact on the local ecology. 19 Good Weeds: an individual initiative a powder, packaged, labelled and sold. Mrs Murangiri has been able to produce 150kgs of good weed powder herself The good weeds project is an initiative of Mrs Hellen Mu- and in addition she now collects an additional 50kgs from rangiri, a farmer from Embu district in Central Kenya. She local farmers. The enterprise has been so successful it is became interested in weeds as a source of nutrition and now able to employ three permanent members of staff and health and also saw business opportunities in processing it can afford to hire casual labour when necessary. them. Mrs Murangiri began to grow, harvest and process weeds long before she won the FAO award for the best Challenges focal area project in Embu District. Today, she owns a Mrs Murangiri has faced some challenges in establish- registered herbal clinic at Runyenjes which is known as the ing her enterprise. Sometimes it was difficult to convince Murangiri Herbal Clinic. farmers to domesticate plants they considered rabbit food. Farmers consider many plants to be weeds because they young people - used to exotic vegetables - also had to compete with crops and are expensive to remove. But good learn the value of eating these good weeds. In addition, weeds contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magne- farmers had to be persuaded to abandon chemical farm- sium, manganese, zinc, iron and Vitamins A, B, C, E and K ing to ensure that good weeds were grown in a healthy - all elements essential for human health. The good weeds environment. It has also been difficult to maintain a steady identified by Mrs Murangiri include bidens pilosa comelina supply of plant materials during the dry season. bengalensi, launea cornuta (wild lettuce), achystasia garget- Mrs Murangiri initiative shows that a well-chosen, small- ica, oxygonum sinuatum (double thorn), crotalaria brevidens scale farming project can provide an adequate and sus- (rattle weed or Ethiopian rattle box), gynadropsis gynadra, tainable household income. Her plans for the future focus porturacea oleracea (purselane) and basela alba. on ensuring sustainability. She now employs a profes- Launea cornuta, for example, is an erect herb with under- sional organic farm manager and an increasing number of ground rhizomes which can be eaten as a vegetable. It farmers have been trained in cultivating and processing contains proteins, fibre, sodium, phosphorous, calcium, techniques. Demand has increased and more and more magnesium, potassium and Vitamin C. It can be used to treat people are coming forward with good weeds collected from stomach disorders and is an effective malaria prophylactic. their shambas and from the wild. Good weeds are especially important for those living with HIV/AIDS, children suffering from the prolonged effects of malnutrition and in helping relieve the specific problems of women and the elderly. Good weeds can also be used to increase the body’s resilience to cancer, hypertension and diabetes. Taking the initiative Mrs Murangiri has increased her capacity to produce good weed powder by involving local farmers. She has trained them to domesticate good weeds, raise them as farm crops and process and package them for sale. Once weeds have matured they are harvested, cleaned, sterilized, chopped into small portions and put into solar driers until they are completely dehydrated. They are then ground into 20 Farmers are trained to Launea cornuta a good weed recognize the value of plants such as Bidens pilosa A solar dryer used for drying leaves. 21 Feeding indigenous and dairy goats German Alpine) to help them upgrade their indigenous with acacia tortilis pods to enhance stock and increase milk production. The group estab- lished three buck camp stations at strategic locations nutrition and improve the income of within the community. The aim was to enhance the nutri- vulnerable women in Taita Taveta district tion of group members and provide women with income generating opportunities. Dairy goats require intensive management. Given lo- Thirty-four self-help groups came together in 1999 to cal ecological conditions, feeding the goats during the form the Acacia Ngua Mlambo Development Trust (NMDT) dry season was a major challenge. In 2007, members - a membership organization operating in Taita district. In started feeding their goats with the highly nutritious 2000, it was registered by the Kenya Government under pods of acacia tortilis. The sale of these pods gener- the Trustees Perpetual Succession Act Cap 164. Current ated an income for the target group and information was membership stands at 153 groups and the main goal of exchanged on the pre- and post- harvest handling of the the organization is to facilitate the mobilization, organization tortilis pods, their value as fodder and their marketabil- and management of locally available resources in order to ity. Plans for the further development of acacia tortilis eradicate poverty and ensure sustainable development. have been informed by the need to ensure biodiversity conservation. Taking the initiative Acacia tortilis trees grow wild on range lands and farms. The organization’s mandate is to ensure that her members They can be domesticated by subjecting the seeds to are food secure, have sustainable incomes and improved pre-germination treatment like boiling or soaking in cold nutrition. To accomplish this Ngua Mlambo partnered with water before sowing or even passing them through a World Neighbours to undertake a Sustainable Agriculture goat’s alimentary canal to facilitate germination. and Rural Livelihood Programme in which crop and livestock Members subject the indigenous goats to a free range development, nutrition, the regeneration of the natural re- grazing system where goats are fed on dry pods that source base and the strengthening of rural livelihoods and have already fallen. Since dairy goats were introduced income opportunities were the principal objectives. into the group in 2007 management has become more Five groups were supported in an effort to introduce dairy intensive. Farmers collect freshly fallen pods, discard goats into the programme area. Three groups received dairy those that are diseased and either feed the rest to their goats. The does and bucks were destined to help breed goats or grade and store them for sale. Goats are fed and upgrade the community’s indigenous goats. One of the about 3kgs of acacia pods a day in addition to a ration three groups involved was the Tote Uplifting Women Group. of shrubs and twigs. The Tote Women Group is located in Mlundinyi village in Acacia pods are highly nutritious and rich in proteins and Taita district. The group was formed in 1988 and at present carbohydrates and goats fed on acacia pods gain weight it has 30 members all of whom work in a arid and semi- rapidly. This means farmers no longer have to pay for arid environment. Rainfall is extremely erratic, crop failure supplementary commercial feed. In addition, local goats is common and 80% of group members can be classified as well as cross bred and dairy goats produce more as vulnerable. In this environment poverty, food insecurity, milk when fed on acacia pods and the additional income water shortage and human-wildlife conflict are common generated by the sale of milk is particularly important problems. for women. Ngula Mlambo - in collaboration with World Neighbours - Communities have become increasingly aware of the gave the group three bucks (two Toggenburg and one value of the acacia tree and as a result more attention 22 Acacia tortilis pods Goats feeding on Acacia tortilis pods is being given to conservation and protecting the acacia support from the Ministry of Agriculture and other NGOs in- tortillas from short-term exploitation by charcoal burners. volved in goat rearing projects. In order to extend the ben- efits of acacia tortilis to other communities, it emphasises Challenges the need to document and communicate experiences with The Acacia Ngua Mlambo Development Trust faces many acacia tortilis. challenges. Acacia pods are seasonal and efforts need to be made to ensure their year round availability. The prop- erties of acacia pods also need to be documented with specific reference to the nutritional value of the pods. Several lessons can be drawn from the experience of the Acacia Ngua Mlambo Development Trust. In arid and semi-arid areas feeding goats with acacia pods has many advantages. They provide an excellent source of nutrition during the “lean” period and when crushed and mixed with other feeds they can be used to fatten goats. Acacia torti- lis is also an excellent alternative to expensive commercial feeds and in rural communities the collection of acacia tortilis pods provides income generating opportunities for many women. The Acacia Ngua Mlambo Development Trust now works with some 153 groups and its primary concern is the up- scaling of the acacia tortilis project. It is currently seeking 23 2At work in the forest Honey production in Gatunyu: a farmer’s experience Kavingoni Beekeepers – the INADES Formation Bees solving community conflicts: Wanjuki Beekeeping Self-help Group Beekeeping offers a livelihood in arid and semi-Arid lands 24 Honey production in Gatunyu: a week. They have been hung in sheltered areas safe a farmer’s experience from high winds and where there is sufficient shade Experiences from Gatunyu, Kiambu District in Kenya’s to ensure that the temperature within the hives is well Central Province illustrate how one farmer can inspire a regulated. They have also been placed as far away from self-help initiative. Mrs Jecinta Waweru – a member of schools, homes and roads as possible to minimize the Gatunyu Farmers Group and a vegetable producer problems. - received training in honey production from the Commu- Hives are vulnerable to pests and diseases. In addition nity Sustainable Development Empowerment Programme to keeping the ground around the base of the trees clear (COSDEP) and went on to set up beekeeping activities on of vegetation, oil is usually spread on their bark to pre- her 1.5 acre farm. vent ants climbing up and raiding the hives. Mrs Waweru has also constructed water tanks in the vicinity of the Taking the initiative hives to ensure bees have sufficient moisture. Stones The initial costs of setting up a beekeeping enterprise - carefully positioned in the tanks – ensure that the bees are not high. Beekeeping is not labour intensive and it can alight and drink without drowning. requires minimal capital investment. With occasional help from family members and hired casual labour Mrs The Kenya Top Bar Hive is superior to the log hive and Waweru has been able to develop her enterprise alone. makes it easier for beekeepers to carry out routine To attract bees, she planted the trees and flowers they checks. They can easily see when honey is ready for har- liked – calliandra, macadamia, white supporter - as well vesting and the productive capacity of the KTBH is higher as fruit trees such as avocado and banana which are than the traditional log hive. There are different types also useful sources of food. If bees have good forage of KTBHs. Some are designed to be hung in trees while they live longer and collect more. To make sure there others are mounted on legs and can be placed in suitable were sufficient flowering plants for her bees she also pro- positions on the ground. vided neighbouring farmers with sunflower and calliandra seeds. Her neighbours benefited from this arrangement Honey is harvested twice a year - in June and December. in two ways. Positioning bees near sunflowers stimulated Work begins in the late evening or early morning when pollination and leads to a 60% increase in yield and bees are less active. Mrs Waweru uses family or hired - when sold to vegetable oil traders - the harvested seed labour to actually harvest the honey because - according provided a good return. Another advantage of encourag- to her cultural traditions - women should not climb trees. ing bees into the area has been that vegetable crop During harvesting protective clothing - including gloves, pollination has improved. veil, overalls and gumboots – is worn and the harvester Mrs Waweru has seven Kenya Top Bar hives (KTBH). carries a smoker, knife and bucket. Some combs are left They are affordable and easily available because they behind in the hive after harvesting so the bees will have are made locally. She used her own timber to construct enough to eat and not be tempted to migrate. Honey is them and a local carpenter made them for her following extracted by crushing the comb and running it through a the standard specifications provided by the Ministry of sieve until it is sufficiently clear. It is then left in a clean Livestock Development. plastic container so remaining impurities can rise to the Knowledge and skill are needed to manage bee health surface and be removed. Mrs Waweru packs her honey and productivity. Mrs Waweru’s hives are situated close in 1kg containers and sells it either at the local market to the homestead so she can inspect them at least twice or directly to her neighbours. Because her production 25 costs are low she is able to use part of her profit to develop her farm further. Challenges Despite the success of her beekeeping activities, Mrs Waweru also faces challenges. These include poor infrastructure which adds to transport costs, the dif- ficulty of attracting bees which keeps the rate of ex- pansion low and her fears that – as beekeeping prac- tices change – she may not have the time or money to invest in learning new techniques and acquiring the modern beehives or processing and packaging equipment needed to meet changing market demand. However, she is determined to gradually up-scale her project. She has been keeping records of her bee- During the dry season efforts must be made to prevent worker keeping activities so she can monitor progress and bees from deserting their hives she also keeps in touch with developments taking place in the beekeeping and honey production sector. Flowers that bees love 26 Kavingoni Beekeepers activities have contributed to environmental conservation the INADES Formation in the area and the money raised by the sale of seedlings is invested in other projects selected by the group. One such project involved constructing poultry houses for group Kavingoni beekeepers self-help group is located in Kathonz- members. weni location, Makueni district, in the Eastern province of Since 2002, there has been a marked improvement in the Kenya. The area is characterized by low rainfall and high quantity and quality of honey produced. It now meets the temperatures with bushes and shrubs as the main vegeta- standards set by the national beekeepers association for tion cover. Subsistence agriculture dominates and poverty sale on local and national markets. The group has branded levels are high: 64.3% compared to a national average of and packaged its products and although the honey is sold 52%. Drought and famine are endemic and sometimes the collectively each farmer receives a return equivalent to the community has to depend on relief food to survive. amount of honey he or she supplies. Taking the initiative Challenges To cope with this situation, Kavingovi farmers have taken up Amongst the challenges facing beekeepers in arid areas beekeeping. Small-scale farmers with a common interest are the frequent and prolonged periods of dry weather. in beekeeping started the group in 2001 and a year later Under these conditions yields fall and bees may abandon formally registered themselves with the Social Services their hives. Experience has shown the Kavingoni group that Department. Currently the group has 34 members 10 of planting trees bees love can help stop them migrating dur- whom are women. ing the dry season. Supplementary feeding also helps but Their initiative attracted the support of the Makueni Agri- this requires high standards of hygiene. cultural Project (MAP). It supplied them with 160 langstroth The Group depend on middlemen for marketing and market hives and a honey extractor so they could increase extrac- information and this affects the amount the beekeepers tion efficiency and honey quality. The hives were provided are able to earn. The Group realise the importance of on a cost sharing bases with the farmers contributing 25% building up their own network so they can judge market de- of total costs. The number of hives each farmer could buy mand, fix their own prices and resist pressure from brokers depended on his or her resources but each farmer in the and marketers. Negotiating bulk deals with traders might group had at least one langstroth hive. offer a secure market but transport costs are high and this The hives were placed near the homestead at a time of affects earning. If local markets could be further devel- year when trees were in flower and bees were beginning to oped there would be less need to rely on external markets. swarm. It can take between one week and six months to Building up local demand means that time will have to be colonize a hive depending on the site. To facilitate coloni- invested in sensitizing local communities to the medicinal zation, farmers use some shrubs or goat oil to treat the and nutritional value of honey. hives. Because the hives are positioned close to where As demand for honey grows, pressure to expand produc- farmers live and work they can be inspected as part of tion increases. One of the difficulties facing Kavingoni regular farming activity. beekeepers is it is not easy to get more farmers to take up The farmers have planted trees around their homesteads beekeeping. Currently, the Group has to purchase honey to provide forage for their bees and for their own domestic from non-members to keep up with demand but more use. The group manage a commercial tree nursery with over predictable supplies are needed to ensure the sustained 5000 seedlings of different tree species to provide seed- operation of its extraction plant and to enable it to fulfil its lings for group members and the local community. These contracts. With support from the African Institute for Eco- 27 Beekeepers need modern equip- ment like this extractor to main- tain the quality of their product Extracting honey the traditional way and the interest of their customers Beekeepers can benefit considerably from modern equipment. Using a honey extractor, for example, instead of traditional crushing and sieving methods increases extracting efficiency, leads to improved honey quality and enables beekeepers meet the quality standards of the Kenyan National Beekeepers Association. How- ever, this type of equipment is difficult to obtain and most traditional beekeepers cannot afford it. nomic and Social Development (INADES Formation) scaling- tial ecological services. A serious problem that has lead up activities are being planned and when training opportu- to considerable mortality amongst worker bees is the de- nities become available more farmers may be stimulated pendence of local cotton growers on chemical pesticides. to take up beekeeping. The INADES Formation is trying to deal with this problem Beekeepers have become particularly sensitive to the by promoting organic cotton growing in the district. quality of the local environment. Tree planting activities to ensure sufficient forage not only directly affects the health and productivity of the bees but also helps secure essen- 28 Bees solving community conflicts: not only contributed to the productivity of their hives but Wanjuki Beekeeping Self-help Group also to the rehabilitation of the heavily eroded catchment areas. Beehives located on members farms and in the forests The Wanjuki Self Help Group has often had conflicts with have helped discourage elephants from grazing in cultivat- the Forest Department over access to the Mucheene for- ed areas. The Group now has 30 members who between est. The Kironya water catchment is drying out and wild them manage some 300 hives. Stocked with bees, these animals - especially elephants - increasingly cause dam- hives hang some 6 meters above the ground in mature age to homesteads and crops in their search for water. trees where there is good quality forage. However, fire re- Beekeeping was seen as a solution that could lead to the strictions in the forest mean that honey must be harvested restoration of catchments through reforestation and at the without the use of smoke and the beekeepers themselves same time provide farmers with an environmentally friendly cannot afford protective equipment or clothing. Harvesting source of income. honey under these conditions is far from safe. Once collected the honey is sold in unrefined form because Initiating the process the Group does not have the expertise or equipment to Wanjuki Self Help Group is an initiative of 30 small-scale process it further. Honey is not sold collectively. Each farmers in Muruguma village in Meru Central District. farmer sells as much as his or her hives have been able to These farmers practice mixed farming on small land hold- produce. ings of about 0.6 hectares. To supplement their livelihoods Beekeeping has helped reduce poverty at household level they depend on the Mucheene Forest where they get fire- and while some farmers have used their earnings to pay wood, herbs and medicines as well as fodder for their ani- their children’s school fees, others have reinvest it in their mals. In the early 1990s, the community was banned from farms. Community involvement has been important in this grazing livestock in the forest because of the extensive project not only in supporting the conservation of the forest damage caused by illegal tree cutting. Overgrazing resulted and creating a bee-friendly environment but also in ensur- in soil erosion which in turn damaged the catchment areas. ing that no honey is stolen from working hives. The community reacted strongly to this sudden ban and members rioted against the forest management decision. Challenges They started to cut down trees illegally and even set fire to Poor harvesting and processing techniques seriously the forest. As a result the water catchments dried up com- reduce honey quality. The challenges faced by the Wanuyki pletely and wild animals – desperate for water – started Group are familiar to beekeepers all over Kenya. Mod- storming homesteads and demolishing water tanks. ern beehives and equipment for handling bees and their The problem of water scarcity and animal damage encour- products are in short supply and because of their lack of aged the communities to form a Forest Users Group and protective equipment and skill many beekeepers are hurt together with the Forest Department they began to make during harvesting. plans to rehabilitate the catchment areas and protect the Plans have been made to strengthen the Group’s beekeep- forest and its ecological services. One of the interventions ing activities. They intend to hire an extension worker on was to start beekeeping in the area and in 1997 the Wan- a one-year contract to provide training for members and juki Beekeepers Project came into being. As a first step - support environmental conservation efforts. The proposed efforts were made to conserve and plant forage trees. Over extension worker will help the group plan and monitor its the last ten years the beekeepers have planted 3000 trees beekeeping activities as well as help members to source in and around the Mucheene forest and these efforts have funds to buy a modern honey extractor, organise product 29 quality assessment and create a wider market for the their product themselves and avoid being dependent on honey produced. Plans are also underway to plant 5000 brokers who may only be prepared to pay low prices. trees with seedlings provided by Mucheene Forest Manage- The Group is aware that it will take some time before ment with labour supplied by the Group. they are able to produce market quality honey at a As technology changes, there is a need to adopt modern reasonable price and during this intermediary period beekeeping equipment capable of producing good quality they are being supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, honey in larger quantities. The Group, therefore, wants to KARI and tertiary institutions such as the Methodist up-grade their bee-handling equipment and purchase mod- University, Meru. ern tools. They also need support to enable members to market their honey products more effectively. More market information is needed to enable beekeepers to promote Beekeeping offers livelihood opportunities to communities living in semi arid and degraded environments 30 Beekeeping offers a livelihood in Taking the initiative semi-arid lands To make a living in arid and semi-arid conditions requires skill and creativity. Droughts are frequent and often the only way to get food is through “Food for Work” relief pro- Beekeeping is proving an important source of livelihood grammes. It was against this background that the Mutan- for communities living in the arid or semi arid areas of da Self Help Group was set up in 1996 with the objective Kenya. The Sustainable Agricultural Community Develop- of working together to improve livelihood opportunities.. ment Programme (SACDEP) has been supporting a self- The idea of setting up the group came from an elder in help group in the Mwinga district of Eastern Kenya. The Thaana Nzau village who had been taught traditional bee- Group has established the infrastructure of water and keeping skills by his father. He had also seen the positive plants needed for a successful apiary and SACDEP con- effects of self-help groups in other areas and convinced tinues to encourage its members to produce good quality community members that beekeeping would deliver posi- honey so local households can get optimal benefit from its tive results. In this way the Mutanda Self Help Group came nutritional and medicinal properties. into being and today it has 25 members - 12 women and Training: from colonization to healthy hives and incomes SACDEP focused on training beekeepers in the skills they needed to encourage bees to colonize their hives and to ensure they remained healthy and productive. During the training the Mutanda Self-help Group learned to attract swarms using a catcher box and - once a hive had been settled – the best way to protect it against pests and disease. The Group also learned how to harvest honey using large clean plastic buckets, kitchen knives, hive tools and a bee smoker. Dressed in a protective overall, veil, gloves and gumboots, the beekeeper is instructed to light the bee smoker and approach the hive from behind. After smoking the entrance to the hive twice and removing the roof, the hive tool can be knocked against the bars to identify the ones that contain combs. A high pitched sound indicates the bar is empty while a dull echo indicates the presence of combs. After checking to see that the combs are well capped and the honey is ready for harvesting some of the filled combs are removed from the bars, placed in the bucket and covered. The bars are then returned to the hive. Three or four full combs are left in the hive to ensure the bees have sufficient food to con- tinue their work. At the peak of the dry season, bees are given supplementary feeding to prevent them deserting the hive. Sugar diluted with clean water at a ratio of 1:1 is made into a syrup and put into feeders so the bees can find it easily The honey is refined in clean dry surroundings. It is melted gently by heating it indirectly in medium- sized stainless steel saucepans that have been placed in larger water-filled containers. The honey is strained into a bucket through a double layer of fine netting. Any scum that floats to the surface is scrapped off. The honey is then packed and labelled ready for sale. 31 sure visits are being used to pass on beekeeping skills. SACDEP also helped the farmers get Kenya Top Bar Hives and bee-handling equipment like overalls, veils, gloves and smokers. This new equipment has increased the income of the Mutanda Self Help Group and enabled it to fund further improvements in refining and packaging their honey. SACDEP combined training farmers in the technical aspects of beekeeper with making community members aware that good quality honey had important nutritional and medical properties. Therefore, to ensure local demand for their honey, quality had to be maintained and any temp- tation to adulterate it had to be resisted. Beekeepers also came to realise the need to conserve their bees’ woodland foraging area and to avoid destructive practices such as charcoal burning. Trainers help new groups to master the basic techniques of beekeeping Challenges Drought and long periods of dry weather are a major chal- 13 men all between the ages of 45 and 60 years. One lenge to the small-scale beekeepers of the Mutanda Self of the Group’s first activities was to raise money to buy Help Group. During the dry months honey production is low a pump so they could get water from the Tana River to and there is a constant danger that bees may desert their their farms and homes. It proved difficult finding a donor hives because they cannot find sufficient forage. to finance this project so - in the meantime - they decided KTBH and bee-handling equipment are expensive and often to help one another in other ways. Members entered into beyond the reach of small-holder farmers. These initial a merry-go-round agreement and agreed to contribute a costs can be reduced, however, if communities are trained certain amount of money to the Group each month. The in hive construction. A more serious challenge is the amount collected was then handed over to each member problem of market access. Although the demand for honey in turn until everyone in the Group had had a chance to continues to rise as the population grows and consumer benefit. Money generated in this way enabled members tastes and preferences change, it is still difficult for small- to make investments they would not otherwise have been holder beekeepers to access mainstream markets. These able to afford and helped them meet their immediate are extremely competitive and demand regular supplies of household needs. specified quantity. To some extent these problems can be Farmers like Justus Ngangi were using the forests around overcome by creating beekeepers associations to handle their homes to produce honey. They used traditional log marketing issues. hives and traditional harvesting methods. Harvesting honey at night, they wore no clothes to reduce the risk of being stung. They sold the honey cheaply in unrefined form to other villagers. Mr. Ngangi and other group members have now been trained in modern beekeeping techniques by SACDEP, Kenya. On-farm as well as institutional training and expo- 32 3Health and welfare Stinging nettles: a local tradition helps revive health and welfare Promoting Prunus africana as a herbal medicine Conservation through utilization: on-farm pharmacies Commercializing an indigenous medicinal plant: Mondia whytei 33 Stinging nettles: a local tradition as a domestic crop. The Rift Valley Nettle Community with helps revive health and welfare the support of NECOFA and the Slow Food Central Rift Con- vivium is domesticating the stinging nettle and supports farmers in managing, cultivating and processing the plant. The Rift Valley Stinging Nettle Community harvests, proc- Today, some 180 women and 150 men – members of the esses and markets stinging nettle in Molo and Nakuru dis- Rift Valley Stinging Nettle Community – are involved in this tricts. Fifteen self-help groups as well as women and youth activity. groups are involved in its activities. Most of the Communi- NECOFA has played an important role in building up the ty’s members are small-scale farmers who practice organic capacity of network members to manage the production, farming and live in the vicinity of government forests. processing and marketing of nettle products. Together with In Kenya, the stinging nettle - referred to in Swahili as farmers, it has carried out research into the technologies Ilaila grows in forested, highland areas some 2500 meters and conditions that would enable effective organic cultiva- above sea level. Those living in or near the Mau forest tion. It has also taken responsibility for linking farmers have been using it as a traditional food for generations to market outlets and promoting and marketing nettle and it was known to be particularly beneficial for pregnant products at food fairs and agricultural shows. As a result and lactating mothers. It can also be used as a food sup- the Rift Valley Stinging Nettle Community has been able to plement for weaning children and the sick. However, as progress from producing small quantities of stinging nettle human settlement increased, the forest was exploited and powder using a pestle and mortar to growing large enough degraded. Land was cleared for crops such as maize and amounts to justify industrial milling. wheat and eating habits changed. The nutrient rich nettle Nettle powder has a sweet, pleasantly mild taste. It lost its prominence in local diets. resembles chamomile tea but it has strong medicinal and therapeutic qualities. Its leaves are rich in calcium and The stinging nettle (Urtica massaica) is a perennial plant iron. Herbal practitioners and the National AIDS Council, for belonging to the nettle family Urticaceae and it grows best instance, have identified stinging nettle as an important in shaded, moist wooded areas. It has spiny hairs and when nutritional supplement in the management and care of touched these break-off transforming the hair into a needle HIV/AIDS. It is also an effective anti-fungicide. that can inject a cocktail of poisons. This mix of poisons The stinging nettle has many culinary uses as well. It can causes the sting which gives the species its name. The be taken as an infusion or health drink, added to millet or leaves of the stinging nettle are about 10 cm long, roughly sorghum porridge or used as a weaning supplement. When heart-shaped with serrated edges. It can grow to a height cooked, the leaves can be eaten as a green vegetable. of about one meter and the flowers that develop on the The Rift Valley Nettle Company - with the help of such nettle later fall off as seeds. The plant propagates itself organisations as the Slow Food Movement and the Terra through its rhizomes or underground roots. Madre - has been working to stimulate the international market for nettle powder. In 2004, for example, nettle Initiating the process products were exhibited at Terra Madre’s annual interna- Initially the Rift Valley Nettle Community consisted of tional meeting of food communities in Italy. At the present self-help groups working independently of each other to time about 1.5 tons of ground nettle powder is being sold improve the livelihoods of local communities. In 2003 - annually and these sales have had a strong socio-econom- stimulated by the Network for Ecofarming in Africa (NE- ic impact. Stinging nettle products are now an important COFA) - these groups came together, established the Tuko source of income for all members of the Rift Valley Nettle Organic Producers Association and started growing nettle Community – especially women and young people. 34 Milling nettle leaves for commercial use Packing nettle powder Displaying nettle powder at local shows The production and processing of Urtica massaica – the stinging nettle The process of producing the powder involves propagated the plant through cones/rhizomes on well-manured soil until the leaves are suffi- ciently developed for harvesting some six months later. Whilst leaves can be harvested throughout the year, the most productive period is during the rainy season. The process is not mechanized and collectors have to be careful because the hairs on the plant can sting even through layers of clothes. Once the leaves have been harvested they are laid out to dry. High tem- peratures can destroy nutrients so drying takes place in shady, well-ven- tilated buildings. This also helps preserve the colour. Abandoned timber mills, for example, are sometimes used as drying sheds because they are both large and well ventilated. The drying process takes about a week to ten days depending on humidity levels and the wind. Once the nettles are dried, they are roughly crushed to remove their stalks and stems. Pestles Community members harvesting and mortars are used to ground the leaves into a fine powder for domes- nettle leaves with gloved hands tic use while leaves destined for more commercial purposes are taken to a local mill to be roughly ground and packed ready for sale. Once they have been treated, the sting becomes ineffective and - in fact - the mild venom adds to the nutritional quality of the product. 35 One elderly woman - who had lost her house and livestock Health Products” with its members as shareholders. The due to ethnic clashes - has bought a new house and live- company’s mandate is to explore further markets for their stock with the proceeds from this project. Another member, product and to find ways of adding value to it by develop- a young man whose resources did not allow him to further ing packaging and presentation in a way that appeals to his education, is now able to help his family and support different categories of customer. At the moment NECOFA his younger brothers and sisters through school. Other products - sold through supermarkets - are packed in small members of the Community are using money earned from containers. To attract new customers and add value to nettle production to participate in a revolving fund to en- the product plans are being made, for example, to sell the able them to meet household expenses, school fees and powder in tea bags to make it easier to brew infusions. generally improve their standard of living. Challenges One of the major challenges in promoting stinging nettle cultivation is the lack of adequate research and docu- mentation. Most of the information on domesticating and processing nettle relate to species not found in Kenya. As a result the Community - supported by NECOFA – have had to learn by trial and error. Although progress has been made with the domestication of the stinging nettle, community members still gather it from the wild. Continued deforestation has forced them to venture deeper and deeper into the forest and this compromises the safety of women members in particular. Culturally, women also experience problems with the type of protective clothing – trousers – that have to be worn to protect the body against stings. Drying nettle leaves is labour intensive. They have to be kept away from direct sunlight and turned regularly – even at night. To meet this challenge NECOFA and the Commu- nity are looking into the possibility of acquiring solar drying systems. The group also face challenges in marketing their nettle products. There is a widespread negative attitude to the nettle as a vegetable and in some communities it is known only as a medicine. NECOFA is putting extra effort into giving publicity to the variety of stinging nettle products available and has set up promotional sessions on food and nutrition. NECOFA is also working to upgrade its activities. It has registered itself as a company under the name “NECOFA 36 Promoting Prunus africana as a carried out by community groups in the Cameroon and herbal medicine Madagascar. In the Kilum forest in Cameroon, the species plays a protective role in the demarcation of forest bounda- ries and it is illegal to fell Prunus africana without special The Community Food Environmental Group (COFEG) is a permission. COFEG’s protocol for sustainable harvesting in community forest association located in Molo district, in the Mau forest is based on the Cameroonian experience. the West Mau forest block of the Rift Valley province. It Because the natural population of Prunus africana is very was founded in 1995 on the initiative of S.J. Amisi. Most low and scattered, COFEG has taken the initiative to farm of its members are small-scale farmers many of whom this tree like any other cash crop and has taken the lead were already involved in CBOs. in seed collection, nursery management and establishing woodlots. This on-farm planting has made it possible for Initiating the process the Group to get enough seeds to ensure further propaga- The community - consisting of 600 members - works to col- tion and sufficient bark to meet market demand. Seeds lect seeds, establish plant nurseries and teach members are collected and packed in nylon sachets filled with how to propagate indigenous forest species on their farms. special soil scooped from the forest. These sachets are It deals with many different types of plants and trees but watered for about two to two and half months and - when the focus at the moment is on Prunus africana commonly the seedling are well germinated - they are planted in farm- known as the African plum or Red stinkwood. The tree, ers’ fields. A recent survey indicated that to date COFEG which is on the United Nations CITES list of endangered has successfully established over 20,000 Prunus africana species is known and used locally for its medicinal proper- seedlings on farm woodlots. ties. It is particularly vulnerable because its timber is COFEG assists the communities in harvesting bark and also in demand. Prunus africana grows in highland areas adding value to prunus materials. Bark is only harvested above an altitude of 900 meters. In Kenya it is found in from mature trees and great care is taken to avoid dam- South Nandi, the Central Highlands, the Mau Ridges, the age. A fraction of bark is peeled from the tree using a Cherengani hills and in the Londiani and Kakamega for- cutlass or specially designed tool. This is done in panels ests. Deforestation has reduced the number of trees and that begin one meter above the ground and end at the first irresponsible harvesting of the bark is putting the existing major branch. Bark is harvested once a year for a period population at risk. of eight consecutive years. Despite massive deforestation, encroaching human settle- Both the bark and the leaves of Prunus africana have nu- ment and the re-allocation of land to agricultural use, there tritional and medicinal properties. The leaves are picked are still communities who depend on the forest and its and used as tea and the bark can be harvested, dried resources. They regard the forest as a larder and pharma- and powdered for use as a nutritional supplement. Prunus cy and it provides them with fruits, medicinal plants, herbs africana has a unique combination of chemical compounds and small animals. For generations they have successfully that work to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condi- managed their natural resources but these management tion seen in middle-aged and elderly men. Its extracts skills are now in danger of being lost and, along with them also provide a mild and well-tolerated treatment for both the sustainability of the forest environment. bacterial and non-bacterial chronic genital infections. They COFEG’s main objective is to re-establish a thriving popu- are equally effective whether taken alone or in combination lation of Prunus africana and to educate the community with antibiotics. in the sustainable harvesting and utilisation of its bark. Traditionally Prunus africana bark was pounded in water to They have been motivated by the successful programmes a red liquid which - when drunk - helped to relieve stom- 37 ach aches and chest infections. Infusions made from the Conservation through utilization: leaves were used to treat fever in both adults and children. on farm pharmacies The Nandi community, for example, use medicine extracted from Prunus africana bark to treat hoof infections in cattle. Today - with help from COFEG - bark collected from mature Prunus africana, Warbugia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum Prunus africana is dried in the open and then crushed into gilleti commonly known as the Red stinkwood, East Afri- smaller pieces. This crushed material is then taken to a lo- can Greenheart and East African Satinwood respectively cal posho mill and once it has been ground it is packed in are indigenous tree species that can be found in moist sachets. Each sachet is clearly labeled with a prescription rainforests. All three species are currently over-exploited tag indicating how the powder should be used. and there has been little planting. As forests continue to COFEG is also working to sensitize people to the value of dwindle there is an urgent need to cultivate these essen- Prunus africana in treating other ailments as well. Its mar- tial tree species on-farm. keting efforts are supported by the Network for Ecofarming Traditionally, the sustainability of high value trees was in Africa (Kenya) and there are plans to establish a mar- ensured by myths restricting over-exploitation. For exam- keting council to promote Prunus africana bark and other ple, trees should not be left without roots, bark should NTFPs as well. never be removed from all around the tree, heavy branches should not be broken to reach leaves and some seeds Challenges must always be left for planting. However, as the human Challenges have been encountered. The population of Pru- population increased and forest cover declined little was nus africana on farmland and forest estates remains low done to check the growing social permissiveness that lead and this affects the production of bark and seeds. Also to the destructive exploitation of these important tree spe- Prunus africana seeds do not germinate easily. Therefore, cies. other methods of propagation need to be explored like The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and her partners in taking cuttings or perhaps using tissue culture techniques. Western Kenya have set up a pilot project funded by the In addition, the tree itself takes a long time to mature. European Union to integrate high-value trees on farms. The However, there is a growing awareness of the value of con- project planned on-farm tree growing activities in Vihiga serving Prunus africana and this has motivated community and Siaya districts while in-situ conservation efforts were members to continue planting it on their farms. concentrated in the Kakamega area. Efforts are being made to up-scale the Prunus africana Western Kenya has a tradition of tree planting and ICRAF project. In addition to sensitizing local communities, the and KEFRI have anchored their project in the knowledge Government - through the Kenya Forest Service - is being and traditions of these local communities. First, they asked to assist registered CFA to establish Prunus africana carried out participatory community tree species ranking. woodlots on both farmlands and forest estates. COFEG is Farmers identified the tree species which used to be in also lobbying the Government through the National Com- the community, how the trees were used as well as use munity Forest Association (NACOFA) to formulate regula- according to gender. Medicinal tree species received the tions and develop a forest management plan which will highest ranking. If farmers could be encouraged to plant enable group members to have access to the forest and these trees on their farms they would – in fact - be creating its products. on-farm pharmacies. Using the information gained during these participatory inventarisation sessions, farmers in Emuhaya and yala divisions were introduced to the objectives of a project 38 Irreparable damage has been done by unskilled collectors A farmer standing amongst his Prunus Africana that aimed to re-establish the species they had identified, When the concoction has cooled it is ready for use. Colds improve lost biodiversity and contribute directly to com- and allergies as well as upper respiratory tract infections munity health and welfare. Farmers wishing to take part in can be treated by the steam produced during the boiling the project would be trained in the management of on-farm process although care should be taken to avoid scalds. woodlots. When stomach ulcers are being treated with concoctions Calculations were made to establish how much farm derived from these tree species, it is advisable for patients acreage would be available and how many trees would to go for a barium meal test before and after treatment so be needed to stock the proposed woodlots. KEFRI took its effectiveness can be assessed. responsibility for collecting seed and together with farmers The market value of bark from medicinal trees is consider- it established nurseries to raise the required number of able and traditional medical practitoners require several seedlings. Farmers were trained in simple methods of tree kilos of bark from each species every week. This makes cultivation and sustainable harvesting. Training sessions the project attractive for young people. One group that has on making the concoctions needed to treat different types recently become involved in the project is the Salem Youth of diseases were organised and posters were developed Group. At the moment its members have about 10,000 for use during these training sessions. young Prunus africana, 2000 Warbugia uganensis and Bark is already being harvested from the more mature 1000 Zanthoxylum gilletii plants in their nursery. on-farm pharmacies. It is collected in paper bags and taken back to the farmer’s home. Here - depending on the Challenges patient’s needs - it is washed and then boiled in a clay pot. In the communities covered by this project there is a high Water is added until all the ingredients are evenly covered. incidence of families living with HIV/AIDS and other dis- The pot is then tightly sealed and put on the fire where it eases. The expense and lack of success of conventional is left to boil until steam starts to break through the cover. medicine has created a demand for traditional (herbal) 39 More generally, poverty often means that families are unable to put land aside for this type of investment when they have a pressing need for food. As population increas- es and the demand for food grows, fewer farmers will be prepared to set aside land for trees. Socio-cultural issues and community attitudes also affect tree-based projects. Some religious organizations see traditional medicine as evil, while others consider it to be primitive and out-dated. These negative attitudes can also affect a farmer’s decision to grow medicinal trees. At an- other level where community attitudes are strongly against women planting trees, women - who are often household heads and capable of establishing and managing on-farm wood lots - are effectively excluded from taking advantage of the market opportunities offered by this type of activity. Care must be taken when harvesting Prunus africana bark The idea of conservation through utilization is an important one and can help to ease the pressure on forests resourc- es as well as provide better access to medicines for those with limited resources. Herbalists - who prefer being called medicine. Demand for materials derived from Prunus traditional medical practitioners - have a wealth of knowl- africana, Warbugia ugandensis and Zanthoxylum gilleti edge about the medicinal properties of tree and other continues to grow but difficulties in accessing bark and plant species that could be used to encourage the conser- other tree parts prevent farmers from taking advantage of vation and propagation of valuable species and support this market to improve their household income. Although health. Building on this traditional knowledge using mod- efforts are being made to establish on-farm wood lots, it ern communication techniques could be an important part is difficult to keep pace with the rate at which the destruc- of scaling-up activities. Communities need to understand tive extraction of medicinal products from natural forests the context in which they are working and documenting the continues to take place. dynamics of conservation and market demand can provide Other challenges faced by CBOs and farmers engaged them with important insights into the value and necessity in on-farm pharmacy projects can be illustrated by the for on-farm cultivation. experience of the SALEM Youth Group. Funding for their project came from ICRAF and when ICRAF’s commitment came to an end, the Group found it extremely difficult to raise community funding to enable the project to continue. This brings into question the issue of how to ensure the sustainability of this type of initiative. Land tenure issues can also create problems especially for the young. They often do not know what land they will inherit and they do not have the funds to buy land of their own. This makes it difficult for them to commit themselves to tree projects which are typically long term in nature. 40 Commercializing an indigenous with Mondia whytei are anorexia, sexually transmitted dis- medicinal plant: Mondia whytei eases, stomach ailments and impotence. It has also been effective in dealing with hypertension, strokes, anaemia, sleeplessness and asthma. Mondia can help alleviate the symptoms of heartburn, measles, hepatitis, rickets, Kakamega forest is a biodiversity-rich rainforest managed typhoid, vomiting, meningitis and pneumonia. by the Kenya Forest Department and Kenya Wildlife Serv- Mondia has a social and cultural significance in some com- ices. These organisations regulate access to the forest munities as well. Amongst the Luhya of Western Kenya, and the utilization of its biodiversity. Communities adjacent for example, it symbolizes peace, is a sign of power and to the Kakamega Forest graze their livestock there and an important ingredient in love potions. It also warms the collect fuel wood, construction material and herbal medi- body, helps improve sleep, eases afterbirth pains and cines. They also use it for cultural and recreational activi- enhances vision. ties. Currently, it is one of the leading tourist attractions in Western Kenya. Initiating the process Research shows that poverty is one of the main factors Mondia whytei is already highly valued in Western Kenya that cause local communities to over- exploit their forest and there is an established trade in its products. Research resources to the point where sustainability is threatened. undertaken by KEFRI and the African Academy of Sciences In 1998, research conducted by KEFRI emphasized how confirmed that the plant has trace elements that strength- highly dependent local communities were on non-timber ened the body’s immunity and resistance to disease. forest resources. Some of these resources were identified These were among the considerations that encouraged the as having development potential and - if followed through International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – this could help improve incomes and stimulate conserva- and KEFRI - with support from the Marcuthur Foundation tion. - to actively promote Mondia whytei cultivation amongst Plants of medical value were among the forest products small-scale farmers living and working near the Kakamega generating cash incomes. One in particular was in great forest. demand: the vine known as Mondia whytei. About one ton However, no protocols or certification procedure existed to of raw Mondia roots were being sold in local small-scale ensure that Mondia whytei was collected and produced in a markets every month and the Kakamega forest was one of sustainable way. An institutional framework to coordinate, the main sources of supply. Dealers bought Mondia wytei market and eventually upscale technical and commercial materials from young collectors who had harvested them innovations had to be developed and research carried out from the wild rather than from the small number of farmers to identify ways in which value could be added to Mondia who – with donor support - had started to domesticate the materials. plant. In 2002, KARI’s Agricultural Research Fund (KARI-ARF) and KEFRI started educational and awareness activities Monia whytei: a golden root highlighting Mondia whytei’s capacity to generate income, Mondia whytei – (Asclepiadaceae) is sometimes referred to improve human health and increase the productivity of lo- as the golden root and it has a slightly bitter taste. There cal livestock. Particular emphasis was put on the sustain- are more than 300 genera and 2000 species of Mondia able utilization and conservation of the plant. whytei and 104 species are found in East Africa. Its prod- Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) ucts are widely used for spiritual and medical purposes. was identified as an appropriate institution for promoting Amongst the medical conditions that respond to treatment the utilization and marketing of Mondia whytei products. 41 Mondia cultivation in Kuvasali: binding a Mondia whytei vine Mondia packaging material An agreement was reached between the local communi- about a month they began to germinate and two or three ties - represented by KEEP- and the technical institutions months later they were ready to be transplanted. Mondia involved - ICIPE, KEFRI, the University of Nairobi, and Kenya flowers between March and July and its fruits take another Wildlife Services - concerning the sustainability of the six month to mature. project and defining how benefits from the commercializa- Mondia whytei is a climber and grows towards the light. tion of Mondia whytei would be shared. It was agreed that Experience shows that given good, fertile soils and suf- 80% of profits would go to the communities involved and ficient light it can grow vigorously and produce plants that 20% to the institutions providing support. have a sweeter taste than those cultivated in the shade. ICIPE and KEFRI had a key role in community capacity To achieve the best results Mondia whytei must be trained building activities and - with the help of Ford Foundation to grow upwards. If it is left unsupported on the ground funding - a plant was set up in Kakamega to process there is a strong possibility it will die. However, getting the Mondia products. This plant has contributed substantially right type of poles and wire to support the plant can be to the sustainability of the project. Research into new ways expensive. KEFRI research has shown that Mondia whytei of adding value to Mondia products was initiated and the can be effectively trained over live support materials like possibility of creating markets outside Western Kenya are banana, Sesbania sesban and Croton microstachys. It can being explored. also be inter-planted with crops like maize because it has Most of the farmers in the self-help groups targeted by a deep-rooting system. the Mondia project had quite small plots. As a first step, There is a steady market for Mondia leaves, roots and twine Mondia whytei nurseries were established. Seeds were although studies show sales are sometimes irregular. The collected from the wild taking care that they were har- main marketing season is between August and December. vested before the wind had time to disperse them. Once Roots are the main product sold, but twine, seeds, powder processed, the seeds were stored in special bags. After and - more recently a Mondia whytei tonic - are also traded. 42 Harvesting and marketing roots requires particular care. each batch of Mondia roots is well-labelled before being Studies show that the taste of the root varies with age. sent to KEFRI/ICIPE for processing. One or two-year old plants do not have a well-developed root system and are less sugary. Older more mature Challenges plants have roots that are about one meter long but Mondia farming is a new practice and - as yet - there are these are not very tasty. Four to six-year old plants no detailed agronomic figures to enable impact assess- - depending on the characteristics of the soil - have rela- ment. It is not easy to explain why farmers have not tively rich and characteristic flavours. been more ready to take up Mondia cultivation. It can be Repeated harvesting is sometimes possible if only lat- suggested, however, that one important reason is that - eral roots are removed. Otherwise farmers have to wait although market prices are quite tempting - constructing four or five years if they want a more substantial har- climbing material, keeping the vine well-supported and vest. Before being sold roots are either graded accord- digging, washing and preparing the root for sale is a tedi- ing to size or cut into specific portions. ous business and involves a lot of labour and expense. Roots can also be debarked immediately and the fresh In addition, many farmers do not feel confident in the bark offered for sale. However, debarking is very time- stability of market demand. consuming and tedious work and great care has to be Several lessons have been learnt from recent project taken to avoid damaging the roots. Farmers complain experience. Most significantly it has become clear that that the price they receive for this type of Mondia it is not easy to commercialize a new medicinal plant. A product does not compensate for the amount of work multidisciplinary approach is needed and the capacity of involved. New harvesting and post-harvesting technolo- local institutions must be strengthened if the activity is gies are being investigated to address these issues. to be sustained. Seeds and Mondia plants are also sold but on a more Mondia whytei is now considered to be a cash crop in limited scale. Western Kenya. The Kenyan media have helped promote ICIPE and KEFRI have been semi-processing the Mondia its cultivation by broadcasting information and reporting root into a powder and - after packaging – it is now being successes. Mondia whytei domestication has also been offered for sale through leading outlets like supermar- promoted through a series of radio programmes broad- kets. They also buy root bark from farmers living around cast by a UK-based NGO concerned with encouraging the Kakamega forest to process into the new Mondia the propagation of selected medicinal plants in develop- tonic. In the period 2004-2007 some 1546 tins of tonic ing countries. were produced for sale and marketed through reputable Meanwhile, KEEP continues its efforts to ensure that Kenyan supermarkets. its communities and partners have the information they Marketing is usually carried out through the community need to keep them up-to-date with new developments in institution promoted by KEEP. Competent entrepreneurs the cultivation, harvesting, processing and marketing of within the community groups who are aware of the proc- this versatile plant. ess of product development from farm-level to marketing facilitate this process. At the same time, KEEP continues to provide extension information to CBOs interested in becoming involved in Mondia production. Its management and extension system have been restructured to enable it to carry out this task effectively. It also monitors farming and post-harvest handling practices and ensures that 43 4 Linking with Tourism Ecotourism – Kakamega Environmental Education Programme Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina: a solution to human wildlife conflict Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary Millennium woodcarvers cooperative: creative conservation 44 Ecotourism – Kakamega Environmental in monitoring biodiversity including studying the status of Education Programme (KEEP) the forest’s monkey population. Community Forest Associa- tions (CFA) play an important role in stimulating community participation and involvement. Kakamega rainforest is the only remaining rainforest in Ken- At the same time KEEP continues to explore ways in which ya and it is the eastern most remnant of the former dense the forest can be used to support local livelihoods without Guineo-Congolian forest. Due to its isolation from similar further eroding its natural biodiversity. Ecotourism was forest types, it is home to many unique and rare animal and seen as a possible solution. KEEP has successfully leased plant species including Colobus monkeys, hammer-headed a part of the forest from the government for an indefinite fruit bats as well as many varieties of butterflies and orchid. period to develop these activities. Seventy years ago the forest covered some 240,000 ha. KEEP now works with a network of partners to strengthen Today just 23,000 ha are left. The area is densely populated and upgrade its tourist services. Sites of interest to and the demands of the local population for timber, fuel tourists have been carefully selected, walks planned and wood, charcoal, medicinal plants and cattle grazing have guides recruited and trained. These guides take visitors led to extensive degradation. In addition illegal logging and into the forest for different types of walks and the rates forest clearance in the interests of the tea industry have charged depend on the length and nature of the walk. speeded up the process of deforestation. KEEP - as well as over 20 specially trained guides from local communities - benefit directly from this service and Initiating the process the numbers of visitors using the organisations facilities Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) is a has increased steadily from 900 in 1999 to over 6000 community-based organization. It has 160 members each in 2006. Close contact is maintained with agents in the of whom pay an agreed annual contribution. Difficulties tourist sector and KEEP also promotes the forest’s tourist have been experienced, however, with institutionalising this attractions in guidebooks and on its website. structure because of membership instability. KEEP manages tourist lodges called “KEEP bandas”. These In 1995, KEEP came into being on the initiative of five facilities are operated by seven members of staff drawn guides who were aware of how quickly the forest was de- from the local community. Each room can accommodate generating. Their approach was to focus on increasing the three visitors. Other employment opportunities have been environmental awareness and conservation capacity of lo- created as well. Ecotourists need transport and those cal communities. KEEP developed training and educational visiting the forest have created a demand for local goods programmes in conservation that could be used at school and services. Community members earn money by host- and community level. It also set up a resource centre and ing tourists in their homes and introducing them to local encouraged visits from both schools and local villagers. customs and culture such as the songs and dances that KEEP’s community training activities address practices that accompany the Tiriki circumcision ceremony which is car- have a negative effect on the forest and its biodiversity. ried out in a biodiversity rich part of the forest. These include illegal hunting, overstocking and the collec- Revenues from ecotourism is shared between the Govern- tion of medicinal herbs without a permit. It focuses on ena- ment forest services (5%) and KEEP (35%) while 60% is bling local communities to understand the value of forest put aside for maintaining the bandas. In 2007, KEEP was resources and - by establishing tree nurseries - encourages able to invest in conservation work, upgrade tourist facili- them to take part in reforestation activities. Improved en- ties and set up a cooperative society. It also uses revenue ergy generating devices have been introduced and school generated from tourism to provide loans to community children and students have been encouraged to take part members involved in KEEP activities. 45 Guides stand ready to show visitors the attractions of the Kakamega landscape Kakamega forest. Recently constructed attractions include a canopy watch difficulty of finding labour with skills relevant to the tourist tower erected some 19 meters above the ground where sector: management and computer skills, public relations visitors can view canopy-based animals and plants. The fee and the ability to advertising and promote activities. paid by tourists to use this facility enables KEEP to employ The movement from conservation to ecotourism has not an attendant to provide tourists with information and ad- been easy and experience and knowledge is needed to vice. There is also a gift shop where community members integrate services and resources within community into an can offer their handicrafts for sale. This is a new venture ecotourism programme. Poor interface with Government, and its impact has yet to be evaluated. Plans to increase donors who do not fulfil promises and a lack of infrastruc- the amount of tourist accommodation, develop a snake ture all undermine the potential for further development. park and build a resource centre at Kibiri are underway. Developing a community-based ecotourist project is a Today, ecotourism provides KEEP with a financial basis for complex business. Continuous effort is needed to secure a its conservation work and – as its facilities are also used regular flow of visitors and tourists’ expectations must be for research and study visits - the importance of its efforts satisfied. More important still, community motivation and to conserve the forests’ unique resources continue to be commitment has to be retained even though tourism is a highlighted. It has also created a source of revenue for lo- seasonal trade and revenues and returns are not constant cal communities. throughout the year. Currently, KEEP is looking forward and plans are being Challenges made to extend the programme beyond Kakamega and to KEEP faces many challenges in sustaining and developing develop a system of bursaries for bright students as a way its programme. These include a lack of funds and transport, of increasing the benefits communities can derive from this its inability to offer more than fairly low salaries and the type of project. 46 Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina: finding a solution to human wildlife conflict The Shimba Hills Game Reserve in Kenya’s Coast province is an area favoured by tourists who come to see the local wildlife in its natural habitat. However, for many years wild animals have been devastating farms bordering the area. Msulwa sub-location is one of the areas affected. As foraging wild animals continued to destroy farmers’ crops, poverty levels and food insecurity in the area stead- ily increased. Community members had tried to solve the problem but with little success until the Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina Group decided to plant casuarina trees around their farms and then – on the advice of local elders - went a step further and started beekeeping activities. Protecting crops with a fence of casuarina Initiating the process Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina Group was formed in 2001 and is registered with the Kenyan Social Services Department. It is part of the larger Msulwa Organisation for Tree Nursery A tree nursery was set up to propagate casuarina as well Groups (MOTNG) a community based organization working as eucalyptus, neem and afzelia quanzensis (mbamba- in Majimboni location, Kwale District on the borders of the kofi). Group members agreed to contribute to support its Shimba Hills Nature Reserve. It is an area characterized development. The number of trees planted at any one time by environmental degradation, poverty and high levels of il- depended on the capacity of the members themselves but literacy. The original 25 people who formed the Zuia Ndovu the ultimate target for each member was at least 1000 na Casuarina Group live in close proximity to the reserve trees. In the meantime some members have managed to fence and they have been working together now for more plant 1500 trees while others have planted at least 500. than seven years. In total, some 20,000 casuarina have been planted and Being able to keep wild animals away from their gardens the average tree takes about two years to reach maturity. and crops has been an important first step to improv- Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina Group members have planted ing the livelihoods of group members. Elephants were a 4 rows of casuarina 1.5 meters from the reserve fence. particular problem because they were not as easy to scare A distance of 1.5 meters was left between each row and away as baboons and wild pigs. They were also able to seedlings were planted at intervals of 1 meter. As the get through the electric fences around the reserve. Zuia casuarina mature, they are regularly pruned so leaves and Ndovu members decided to plant a screen of casuarina branches continue to flourish at elephant height. The tree trees parallel to the reserve fence so that elephants would canopies have gradually became so dense that elephants no longer be able to see their crops. Villagers also knew can no longer see what lies beyond the casuarina fence. that elephants liked casuarina leaves and would enjoy this In addition to effectively screening farms and gardens from tasty alternative. hungry and inquisitive elephants, casuarina trees also 47 Bees: an added deterrent Casuarina has not been the Group’s only natural defense against the devastations caused by wild animals. Bees have also played an important role in the human – wildlife conflict. The initial idea to use bees as an elephant – and buffalo – deterrent came from elders in the Msulwa sub-location. Elephants are afraid of bees and while this was an important consideration in the Group’s decision to introduce beekeeping there were other advantages as well. Bees protect and help pollinate the crops and they also produce honey. With support from the Ministry of Livestock Development and the East African Wildlife Society some Zuia Ndovu na Casuarine Group members came together to start beekeeping activities. Two members of the group were trained and - in turn – they trained six others. In 2003, Elephants are one of the Big Five tourist attractions in Kenya but their foraging activities have been disastrous for farmers living near these beekeepers received a donation of eight langstroth the Shimba Hills Reserve beehives from a local resident. Two years later - under a cost-sharing agreement with the East Africa Wildlife Society – they invested in 20 more hives. contribute to soil conservation. Planting casuarina in com- Group members have now organized themselves into five bination with terracing has helped bring the problem of soil smaller groups of five members each and together they erosion in the area under control. The Group collaborates manage 28 beehives. The beekeepers are distributed over with the Ministry of Agriculture and all its members have an area of about six kilometres parallel to the reserve now been trained in terrace layout. Twelve group members fence and the edge of the forest and each group takes have already dug terraces on their farms and soil erosion care of a specified number of hives. At present 14 hives has significantly decreased in the vicinity of the reserve have been colonized and - over the last three years - five fence and on farms where terracing and casuarina planting have been producing honey. It is not clear, however, why activities have taken place. the bees have not colonized the remaining hives even The propagation of casuarina seedlings and trees provides though the area is rich in flowers. Some suggest the bees the Group with a source of income. Seedlings - as well as dislike the timber used to make the hives while others mature casuarina trees - are being sold to a growing local question whether the hives have been built to the right market. While group members can get seedlings from the specifications. Group’s nursery free of charge, non-members must pay for Honey is harvested by the eight group members who have them but at an affordable price. Money raised in this way been trained in harvesting procedures. They are careful is used to maintain the nursery and can be distributed to to wear protective clothing when harvesting honey. Their members. equipment includes overalls, veils, gloves, smokers and a Casuarine wood is also in demand as building material and bee brush - all borrowed free of charge from the Ministry when members are hard pressed for charcoal or money of Livestock Development. The Group would like to have its they are prepared to fell a tree. Group policy dictates, how- own harvesting gear because this would enable member to ever, that if a tree is cut down another must be planted. check the hives more regularly and be in a better position 48 to take measures that would help improve yields. nized by bees. The successes and set backs experienced Honey is harvested twice a year between February and by Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina shows that communities need March and again in July and August. At present the Group technical training and support as well as information and gets about 5kg of honey per hive. After the honey has been access to credit if their initiatives are to be developed and harvested it is taken to the chairman’s house where the sustained effectively. traditional sieving method is used to extract honey from the comb and remove impurities. The honey is first stored in a 20 litre container and later it is transferred into 500ml bottles for sale. Local villagers are the main customers and - because demand outstrips supply - there is considerable interest in scaling-up honey production. Challenges The Group has remained stable since it started in 2001. Hives are managed on an individual basis but after the honey has been harvested it is marketed by the Group. Money earned from the sale of honey is deposited in the Group’s bank account and at the end of the year it is dis- tributed among Group members according to their contribu- tion. However, incomes are low and this has had an effect on the extent to which members can make regular contri- butions to the Group. It is also one of the reasons why the Group has been trying to attract more members. Both the planting of casuarina and beekeeping have had a direct effect on the conservation of the local forest environment although the slow rate of hive colonization has meant that the bees are only just beginning to have an impact on elephant behaviour. As the number of trees increase soil erosion has stabilized and - because farm- ers want to increase the productivity of their hives - they are particularly alert to the destructive consequences of fires. The Group does not allow any kind of fire within the reserve and in this way has helped protect the forest from the activities of illegal charcoal burners. At present Zuia Ndovu na Casuarina is trying to attract new members and sensitize local communities to the advan- tages of planting casuarina. Progress is slow because not all villagers are keen to plant casuarina even though it is clear that elephants no longer cross over to farms and gardens in those areas that have been planted and colo- 49 Elephants wander freely in the Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary Visitors are shown how paper is made from elephant dung delighting tourists Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary from providing services and products to the tourists who visit the area. The Mwalunganje Elephant Sanctuary-Kwale is located in Guided tours through the Sanctuary and a souvenir gift shop an area of the Coast province where poverty and envi- selling items made from materials found in the reserve are ronmental degradation were particularly severe and local amongst the projects that have been set up in the Sanctuary NTFP initiatives have strongly emphasize the importance to make it attractive to tourists. Amongst the gifts offered for of conservation. The Sanctuary was once populated by sale in the small shop attached to the reserve, for example, small-scale farmers but as deforestation, soil erosion and are notebooks, picture frames and calendars made from pa- conflicts between humans and wildlife increased, Kenya per produced from elephant dung collected in the Sanctuary. Wildlife Service and local communities came together to There are also facilities for providing visitors with informa- work out a plan that would enable farmers rebuild their tion about the reserve and demonstrating how some of the livelihoods and allow wildlife, soils and vegetation to come products available for sale have been made. into a better balance. An elephant sanctuary was proposed. This would provide Challenges the animals with the territory they needed and enable One of the principal challenges facing the project is attract- farmers to re-establish their livelihoods in locations pro- ing sufficient numbers of tourists to the area to ensure the tected from animal intrusions. Sanctuary continues to be economically viable. Plans to Funds for the creation of a sanctuary were provided by deal with this problem include increasing tourist facilities by East Africa Wildlife and the project involved both the reloca- setting up tented camps within the reserve and establishing tion of farms and the opening up of new livelihood oppor- closer contacts with tour operators and travel agents so the tunities. Today, community members derive an income from Sanctuary becomes better known. More attention is also be- the shares they received for participating in the develop- ing paid to market research in order to get a better impres- ment of the reserve – one share per acre of land – and sion of consumers needs. 50 Millennium woodcarvers: creative conservation The Millennium Woodcarvers Cooperative is located at Uku- nda showground along Ukunda- Beach road. They special- ise in making handicraft out of wood and non wood materi- als such as reeds. The Cooperative makes innovative use of many domesticated wood sorts as well as fallen timber from hardwood trees. The cooperative has established itself away from the highly competitive and oversaturated market in souvenirs and carvings that characterises the main centres along the Kenyan coast. Their target custom- ers are tourists visiting places of interest in the vicinity or who are just passing through en route to other destina- tions. With 85 members, the cooperative has a well-appointed show room and when a carving is sold 30% of the pro- ceeds goes to the cooperative and 70% to the carver. For their wood requirements, they rely on fast growing tree species such as neem, jacaranda, coconut and mango. This they buy from local farmers. Sometimes – when it is available - they use fallen indigenous hardwood trees for their carving work. The cooperative encourages members to shift from using slow growing indigenous trees to fast growing exotic trees and in this way help conserve endan- gered and valuable species. The cooperative’s long-term plan is ensure a steady supply of wood from their own plantations or to partner with local farmers who will grow the trees they need. The carvers are proud of the fact that they are able to transform any piece of wood into an object of interest. In this way no wood is wasted and left-over wood shavings are used by local people as fuel. Marketing is essential given the strong competition from well-organised groups of carvers in popular tourist resorts such as Mombasa. Therefore, the cooperative advertises extensively in local hotels, guest houses and other tourist destinations. The shop where members of the Millennium Woodcarvers Cooperative sell their work 51 5Not just for export Wealth from Africa’s aloes: aloe promotion and utilization Aloe vera potential yet to be exploited in Dida Butterfly farming: habitat development strengthens biodiversity A question of marketing Getting to grips with the challenge 52 Wealth from Africa’s aloes: the conditions for harvesting and export defined by CITES aloe promotion and utilization must also be drawn up. In this context, KEFRI and its partners initiated a collabo- rative research programme on community-based, partici- There are over 450 groups of aloe species worldwide. patory Aloe promotion. The programme focused on the Three-quarters of them are found along the Eastern and identification and ethno-botanical description of indigenous Southern coasts of Africa and Madagascar. About eight aloes in Kenya, establishing the current status of Aloe species are traded internationally for gels, aloe bitter gum products and identifying markets trends and potential. A and other derived products. Most of the commercial aloes resource inventory and quantification of commercial and are traded under CITES Appendix II, with the exception of indigenous aloes was drawn up and this is now being used Aloe vera. Trade in Aloe vera gel has an annual value of to guide the development of commercial aloe cultivation in about US$123.5 million and derived products are worth Kenya’s dry-land areas. Market and product development US$110 billion. initiatives have also been undertaken. One of the commu- Aloes are highly adapted to dry lands. Promoting the nity groups that has benefited from this programme is the commercialization of aloe in these areas will improve Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise. livelihoods, the environment and rangeland rehabilitation. In a recently released state of the environment report, Already aloe gum processing involves thousands of poor Baringo was identified as one of the poorest districts in inhabitants in the drier parts of Kenya and the Eastern Kenya. It is also an area of important dryland biodiversity Cape of South Africa. conservation. The district is occupied by agro-pastoral Research undertaken by Kenya Forest Research Institute Tugen, Njemps and Pokot communities whose main liveli- (KEFRI) shows that aloes have been exploited in Kenya hood is their livestock, beekeeping and small-scale agri- since the early 1950s in both the coastal region and the culture along the more fertile slopes. However, population interior. Traders were mainly Arabs and Somalis and the pressure has lead to the cultivation of less fertile slopes, trade was largely unregulated until CITES came into force the destruction of fragile vegetation and - as desertifica- in 1978 making it illegal. The gum trade has continued tion spreads – rising silt levels in Lake Baringo. disguised under different trade names and it is this illegal Aloes are being harvested commercially in several parts trade that is mainly responsible for poor prices and unsus- of the district but until now East Baringo has been the tainable exploitation. most important source of supply. Exploitation, however, Studies show that there is a significant illegal trade in has been uncoordinated with no facilities for processing aloe gum. This illegal smuggling threatens wild stocks and the raw product. Women and children spend many days especially wild population that have a small and specific harvesting the sap and there is always the danger that the habitat. Illegal gum is sold internationally at lower prices whole plant will be cut down in the process. than gums of similar quality coming from South Africa. The Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise - a partnership project between pastoralists who harvest the sap illegally are poorly paid Government - represented by KEFRI – a private investor and the Government losses revenue because export taxes Landmawe and the community represented by KOKISA are avoided. was a twelve-month project funded by the European Union There is a need to establish quotas for sustainable har- through the development trust fund for biodiversity con- vesting based on resource assessment and the monitoring servation. The project was expected to end in November of trade volumes. Support for and the establishment of 2005, but due to technicalities that delayed its implemen- plantations that comply with CITES guidelines is an impor- tation an extension has been requested. tant first step towards conservation. Regulations based on The main objective of the project was to develop the 53 CITES Appendix II: regulating the trade in aloes Trade in aloe products are regulated by CITES Appen- dix II where it states that: trade in species in Appendix II shall require the prior grant and presentation of an export permit. Conditions for an export permit include proof that the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species and that the specimen has not been obtained in contravention to the laws that protect fauna and flora. Scientific authority will be responsible for monitoring export permits granted by the State for specimens in Appendix II and establishing the impact of these exports on sustainability. The aloe plant: a source of income for Kenya’s dryland communities Aloe plantations in Baringo District 54 sustainable utilization of Aloe resources in Baringo and Challenges neighbouring districts to improve livelihoods and stimulate One of the most significant challenges in setting up an biodiversity conservation. The strengthening of KOKISA as enterprise that involves changes in production practices a CBO made it possible to manage the on-farm cultivation, is to ensure that ownership is defined at an early stage. production and marketing of aloe products. The different levels of partnership need to be handled with The Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise focuses on the indigenous care and in an atmosphere of mutual trust, understand- aloes found in the Baringo district. Indigenous aloes – if ing and respect. A well-established community structure cultivated – are less likely to have a detrimental effect and incentives are important when introducing this type than alien species. The main commercial species found in of change especially if the adjustment involves not only Baringo are Aloe secundiflora and Aloe turkanensis. product development but also conservation. A recent survey revealed that in addition to East Baringo, In Baringo, the development of strong community institu- Central and North Baringo and Koibatek districts also have tions, the establishment of aloe management units and ex- production capacity. Together they could support an annual tensive education and awareness activities combined with export of between 22 and 50 tonnes of aloe gum. research and development have been of key importance in Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise has brought the unrestricted introducing a new approach to aloe-based economic activi- collection of sap under control. Certification and environ- ties and resource conservation. mental mechanisms have been put in place and in future The promotion of aloe species can provide cash incomes aloes will be harvested from Aloe Management Units to in communities living in unfavourable arid condition and be set up by Kenya Wildlife Services. These units will be this is particularly important for young people. For this monitored and supervised by the village elders involved reason the experience of the Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise in the Baringo Aloe Bio-enterprise. Kenya Wildlife Services is being closely monitored. Up-scaling and replication are and other partners have also developed guidelines for the important options and various exchange programmes have export and import of aloe raw materials and other derived been arranged between dry-land communities and more products. A working framework for benefit sharing has community-based processing plants are being established. been agreed upon between the communities, government and the private investor. A factory to process aloes has been established in the Kerio Valley. Initially, this processing plant will produce crude aloe gum but later it will be used for the production of other aloe products as well. Currently, two main aloe products are being traded globally: aloe gel and aloe bitter gum and its derivatives. Potential products include aloe dyes and live aloe plants. In this context marketing chan- nels that ensure fair prices and equitable benefit sharing between partners are being explored. Community aloe nurseries have also been set up to conserve aloe diversity and ensure the Baringo enterprise has a secure and sus- tainable resource base. 55 Preparing aloes for processing Aloes processing Aloe Vera potential yet to be collaborative meetings held between the communities, exploited in Dida Government and other development institutions includ- ing Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), NMK and Nature Kenya. Dida Forest Adjacent Area Forest Association (DIFAAFA) - a Anticipating real and tangible benefits from Aloe vera farm- CBO - was founded in 1997 and has 398 members drawn ing the DIFAAFA group was set up to utilize the existing from the Giriama, Kikuyu, Kamba and Luhyia communities. natural resources of the Dida Forest and to manage the It registered itself as a Community Forest Association in equitable distribution of benefits among adjacent commu- 2003. Each member pays a standard registration fee of nities. Ksh100 and the Association is piloting Participatory Forest Initially plans were made to plant and cultivate some Management (PFM) in Dida. 200 acres of Aloe vera so it would not be necessary to The Dida forest is located 32km from Kilifi town and has harvest wild forest stocks. In collaboration with the KEFRI, a population of about 6000 people living in 780 house- KWS, Nature Kenya and NMK the group has gradually holds. It is part of the Arabuko Sokoke Forest – the largest diversified its activities and while some of its members remaining block of an indigenous lowland forest that once continued to cultivate Aloe vera on their individual farms, stretched along the East African Coast. The forest is man- others have branched out into other NTFP activities such aged by Kilifi and Malindi district forestry offices. as butterfly rearing, beekeeping and agro-forestry activities including selling seedlings on the local market. Initiating the process Over the last four years DIFAAFA has managed to plant a The cosmetic and medicinal potential of Aloe vera for the total of 50 acres with Aloe vera suckers. KEFRI provided production of herbal soaps, shampoos, lotion, creams, suckers to a few members who then multiplied them and disinfectants and detergents had been highlighted during sold them to other group members. Members who could 56 extraction is done using hand tools and as a result only small amounts of sap can be extracted. This is sold to local customers who use it to make cosmetic products and herbal remedies. One promising development, however, is that the Govern- ment of Kenya has recently passed a law that recognizes the important role herbal medicine can play in therapeutic treatment. This has not only created a potential market for producers of plants such as Aloe vera but could also lead to the creation of new employment opportunities for herbal practitioners. Aloes factory Baringo not afford to buy suckers were given them free so all com- munity members could benefit from Aloe vera cultivation. DIFAAFA has developed area forest management guide- lines and an operational management plan. This has contributed to the success of their PFM activities and the group now boasts 10 years experience in the creation of zones, village social mapping, and forest resource assess- ment. It has also produced a 30 minute video to promote its activities. The Group is working towards cultivating the entire 200 acres originally allocated to their project so that they can increase production and attract international buyers. Challenges Although the Group is anxious to increase the area under cultivation, the prevalence of pests and diseases as well as problems of poor drainage and water logging creates difficulties. Another challenge facing members is raising enough money to hire or buy tractors and machines capable of extracting and processing the gel. Currently cultivation and 57 Propagating butterflies on species-specific indigenous trees and Both the farmer and his wife are involved in the consuming and shrubs planted around the homestead delicate job of feeding the butterflies. Butterfly farming: habitat development strengthens biodiversity Conservation and livelihood improvement are strongly linked in many butterfly farming initiatives. These two ele- ments are clearly present in the Shallom Butterfly Farm situated in the Shimba Hills in Kenya’s Coast province. Here a small-holder farmer and his wife breed rare but- terflies that are indigenous to the hills and sell them to American and European customers. Before he became a butterfly farmer, the initiator of this project had spent many years working as an assistant to butterfly researchers in the area. In this way he learned to understand the habitats and habits of the different species. Today, he works with ten other small-holder butterfly farm- Chrysalises packed and ready for market ers and as a group they are able to supply regular consign- ments of chrysalises to overseas buyers. The butterflies environmental degradation. By reintroducing these plants they capture in the forest are used for breeding more into their small-holdings as part of creating a butterfly butterflies on their farms. Many of the plants and shrubs habitat, they are contributing to re-establishing and con- on which specific types of butterfly depend have almost serving biodiversity. disappeared because of deforestation and the effects of 58 The question of marketing to which NTFPs can be developed and efficiently and safely marketed. Pharmaceutical standards and certification procedure are amongst the formal procedures that NTFP As the title of this chapter suggests marketing local NTFP producers often experience as barriers to the further devel- is not an easy business. Finding a market for the products opment of their activities. of NTFP enterprises has been identified as one of the most While NTFP producers need up-to-date market information complex challenge facing community groups. Experience that reflects current demand as well as the potential for shows that the success, continuity and replicability of the growth and diversification within their sector, this informa- innovative use of forest resources is heavily dependent on tion has to be sufficiently comprehensive to support effec- accurately identifying and meeting customer demand. tive planning and decision making. It must also be pack- Initially many non-timber forest products – especially foods aged and disseminated in a way that makes it accessible and medicines - are consumed within the local community. to those most closely involved in managing production and But as expertise grows, producers become increasingly marketing. motivated to enter more regional and even international marketing chains. Here limited experience in assessing consumer tastes and needs and restricted access to market information are critical and constraining factors. This not only makes it difficult to coordinate supply and de- mand, it also makes it difficult to plan product development. Human and physical resources are wasted when com- modities are overproduced or presented in ways that are unacceptable to the consumer. At another level, small- scale producers often encounter problems in ensuring regular supplies of goods of consistent quantity and qual- ity. When supplies are irregular and quality uncertain this has a negative effect on consumer demand and consumer loyalty to a particular product. Seasonal factors also play an important role here as many NTFPs are only available at certain times of the year. Many NTFP producers strug- gle with problems of harvesting, storage and a saturated market when periods of abundance alternate with periods of scarcity. In targeting unexploited markets - including urban mar- kets – experience shows that much needs to be done to overcome consumer concerns about the safety, quality and suitability of products. Product promotion is an important first step. Ensuring that consumers have information about the products available and their benefits and that they are appropriately packed and clearly labelled can play a signifi- cant part in opening up potential markets. Policy frameworks at different levels also affect the extent 59 Getting to grips with the challenge Natural and geographical conditions determine the extent as market research are strongly influenced by government to which NTFPs can be developed for the benefit of commu- policy and economic conditions. Market opportunities and nities in Kenya. Uncultivated forest and savannah areas are the demand for NTFPs depend heavily on consumer spend- relatively scarce and very scarce indeed in high potential, ing power. When NTFP producers are assured of reliable high rainfall areas. It is in this context that the replicability and accessible markets, they will be more prepared to of documented experiences drawn from the NTFP sector invest in new technologies and equipment. Weak markets should be assessed. Case studies seem to suggest that - in and poor returns, however, often result in irregular supplies some cases - the future of many NTFPs may lie in on-farm of inferior quality products produced with the minimum of cultivation. effort and often in ways that damage the natural resource In forested areas experience shows that motivated CBOs involved. An accurate assessment of the most appropriate and CFAs whose members are willing to invest time in “en- market and consumer group is an essential first step for riching” the forest with useful species or replanting much those considering NTFP activities. sought-after shrubs and trees can have a strong and posi- Many NTFP producers are confronted by extremely non- tive impact on NTFP activity and conservation. It appears transparent market conditions. Producers often do not that it is possible to generate wide support for protecting know the end value of their product especially if it is being forest resources even amongst poor households once they processed and marketed by middlemen. This lack of knowl- realise they have a “unique inheritance” at hand. CFAs and edge also makes it difficult for NTFP producers to deliver CBOs can play an important role in ensuring that gatherers products that conform to the hygiene, storage, packaging and producers are well organised and adopt harvesting in- and presentation standards that would enable them to ask tensities and techniques that protect biodiversity and forest a higher price. resources. When NTFP producers extend market activities beyond Political and legislative factors also have an impact on their own locality, external support is essential. Establishing NTFP activity. Positive state-sponsored regulations that offer reliable market relationships can be difficult. Coordination clear rights to people are essential. Kenya’s new Forest Act is needed to ensure that products of sufficient quantity and is an example of legislation that tries to encourage and appropriate quality enter the market on time. This is espe- regulate community involvement in forest management. cially the case where the export market is concerned. The However, forest access and use regulations continue to quantities required for this type of market are usually more be quite strict and tend to be implemented firmly. This is that small-scale producers and small, community-based an asset as far as biodiversity conservation, wildlife and organisations can produce unless they are well organised in tourism is concerned. But the way these regulations are producer associations. sometimes implemented can create serious difficulties for communities who depend on collecting and harvesting for- What needs to be done? est products for their NTFP enterprises. This highlights the The list of challenges facing the development of NTFP to importance of participative forest management. enhance livelihoods and strengthen biodiversity in Kenya is The success of NTFP activities is, of course, closely related a long one. Most of the difficulties currently facing the sec- to the status of the economy. Consumer demand, the tor require considerable work at the local, national and – in development of transport and communication infrastruc- some case - international level. tures and the capacity to conduct both botanical as well At the local level many of the problems faced by NTFP 60 More attention should be given to research that directly Suggested ways in which marketing difficulties and benefits NTFP producers. This includes yield and regenera- challenges might be overcome include the following: tion studies, harvesting assessments and the study of plant •Marketsurveystoidentifycustomerdemandand species with valuable properties. Efforts should be made to preference as well as the size and location of niche ensure that when research results of value to NTFP produc- markets; ers become available – whether these are agronomic or •Collectivemarketingtoensureadequateandcon- market related – they are disseminated via appropriate and sistent supplies; accessible media and agencies so they reach the communi- •Collaborationandnetworkingtoshareinformation ties concerned. about market opportunities; At the level of financial policy much can be done at govern- •Fairandtransparentmarketingcontractstoprovide ment level to ensure that small-scale producers have ac- motivation and a degree of security. Supermarkets cess to appropriate credit facilities. This will enable them to are amongst the outlets that can be targeted here; invest in the equipment and training they need to enhance •Broadstakeholdercooperationtoeffectpolicychange. their activities and ensure these do not damage the natural and vegetative resources on which they depend. At the international level the procedures surrounding producers have the same cause: isolation. Producers are standards and certification are amongst the issues that isolated from training facilities that could enable them cause NTFP producers the greatest difficulty. Also issues improve their production, managerial and trading skills; relating to the protection of indigenous knowledge and from information about market processes and conditions cultural and traditional rights raise problems for some NTFP and from the technical help they need to reduce harvesting producers. The process involved in patenting and claim- losses and improve output levels and quality. ing Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is often complex and Efforts to support and strengthen the CFAs and CBOs in- expensive and they do not necessarily provide the security volved in NTFP production could have a direct and positive needed to ensure that communities can continue to benefit effect on the organisation and coordination of NTFP activi- economically from their unique knowledge and skills. ties at household level. Community organisations provide Many NTFPs enter the international market as niche prod- a formal structure through which technical, educational ucts. As such they move through channels designed to and market information can be channelled. As recognised ensure that specific standards are met. Examples include community representatives, they can also play an impor- the certification procedures surrounding organic, fair trade tant role in resolving conflicts that may arise over access and so-called green products. Certification is expensive to resources or between community members and external and if these certifying organisations increased their efforts organisations and entrepreneurs. to train local inspectors it would benefit the producers of Questions of land ownership, tenure, access and use are export-orientated NTFP considerably. primarily matters of national concern although customary Despite the challenges facing them, the experiences de- and traditional rights also have to be taken into account. scribed here reflect a motivated and optimistic attitude to National organisations such as Kenya Forest Services and the future and a determination to ensure that NTFP activi- the Kenya Wildlife Service are directly responsibly for imple- ties continue to contribute to livelihood improvement and menting policy in forested areas and are responsibile for biodiversity conservation in Kenya. ensuring that their personnel are fully informed and able to implement and deal with local problems relating to the use and harvesting of forest products. 61 Some useful addresses for further information ACACIA TOTILIS BEEKEEPING IN ARID zONES CTA: THE TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRI- Programme Manager SACDEP-Kenya CuLTuRAL AND RuRAL COOPERATION Meshack M. Nina Wilson M. Kimwea Postbus 380 P.O.Box 585 P.O. Box 1134 – 01000 6700 AJ Wageningen Voi Thika. The Netherlands Tel: 0725636027 Telephone: +31 (0) 317 467100 Email: nguamdt@yahoo.com BEEKEEPING Fax: +31 (0) 317 460067 Wanjuki Self Help Group E-mail: cta@cta.int AGROMISA FOuNDATION P.O.Box 850 www.cta.int P.O. Box 41 Meru 6700 AA Wageningen ECOTOuRISM: The Netherlands BEEKEEPING Elephant Sancturay Telephone/Fax + 31 317 412217/ Mrs Waweru and Ali Salim Mwatenga 419178 the Gatanyu Farmers Group Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary E-mail: agromisa@agromisa.org COSDEP (Community Sustainable P.O Box 167, 80403 www.agromisa.org Development Empowerment Programme) Kwale Cynthia Mwende Matata Email: mes@swiftmombasa.com ALOES P.O Box: 132 -00621, Village Market Kavaka Watai Mukonyi Nairobi ECOTOuRISM Kenya Forestry Research Institute Tel: 0710-251767 KEEP P.O. Box 64636, 00620 Mobil Plaza Email: cynthia.mwende@yahoo.com; Kakamega Environmental Programme Nairobi (KEEP) Email: mukonyi2000@yahoo.com BuTTERFLy FARMING John Luseno Henry Mwawasi P.O. Box 11-50107 ALOES IN DIDA Shallom Butterfly Farm Shinyalu Julius Kadenge P.O. Box 190, 80403 Tel: 0734535600/0735610095/07107 DIFAAFA Kwale 96519 P.O. Box 20 Email: keeporg@yahoo.com Kilifi CASuARINA jluseno@yahoo.com Tel: 0728340335 Patrick K Mutua Email: Juliuskadenge@yahoo.com zuia Ndovu na Casuarina GOOD WEEDS P.O. Box 167, 80407 Shimba Hills Hellen W. Murangiri BEES IN GENERAL Email: musulwaorg@yahoo.com P.O Box 117, Jane Kathure Biashara Runyenjes, INADES Foundation Kenya P.O. Box 1905 Machakos Telephone: 0723325643/0735973293/ Cell phone +254 (0720) 795162 0720716772 Email: biasharaj@yahoo.com Email: murangiriherbalclinic@yahoo.com 62 GuAVAS PELuM (KENyA) Tabitha Tene Pelum Kenya Resources Oriented Development P.O Box 6123 - 01000, Initiatives Thika, Kenya P.O. Box 746 Code: 00232 Tel + 254 – 67 – 31686 Ruiru Fax + 254 – 020 - 2160186 E-mail: Rodikenya@iconnect.co.ke pelumkenya@pelum.net www.pelum.net HANDICRAFT INDuSTRy Milleniun Handicraft Co-operative Society PRuNuS AFRICANA P.O. Box 1282, 80400 Clement Kimone Kariuki ukunda Cofeg Community Forest Association Email: milleniumshowground@live.com P.O Box 293-20106 Molo MORINGA Email:cofegfa@yahoo.com S.J. Amisi, Website: www.cofeg.or.ke P.O. Box 132 Gambogi 50318 STINGING NETTLE Tel: 0720-202798 Network for Ecofarming in Africa Email: ayodef 03@ yahoo.com (NECOFA) Kenya P.O. Box 819 MONDIA WHyTEI Molo Kenya Forest Research Institute Tel: +254 (051) 721048 Kavaka Mukonyi Cell: +254 722 647112 P.O.Box 64636-00620 Email: necofakenya@yahoo.com Nairobi Tel: 0722389819/0202011629 Email: mukonyi2000@yahoo.com ON FARM PHARMACIES Walter Adongo World Agroforestry Centre- ICRAF Western Kenya P.O. Box 2389 Kisumu. Tel: 0721-292-407 63 AGROMISA Agromisa was established in 1934, and is linked to Wageningen University and Research Centre. Our aim is to exchange knowledge information on small-scale sustainable agriculture and related topics. Our target group is the underprivileged population in rural areas worldwide, but with a focus on Africa Agromisa’s main objective is to strengthen the self-reliance of the target group and to improve their livelihood by sharing experience and knowledge. Agromisa’s role in this is a supportive one: we are not a donor organisation, nor do we finance projects directly. It is Agromisa’s belief that the gap between formal (scientific) knowledge and informal (farmers’) knowledge should be bridged. To achieve this, Agromisa collaborates with intermediary organisations. For more specific information about Agromisa’s services, see the inside of the back cover. you can also write for more information to Agromisa. AGROMISA Agromisa Foundation | P.O. Box 41 | 6700 AA Wageningen | The Netherlands Telephone/Fax + 31 317 412217 / 419178 | E-mail: agromisa@agromisa.org | www.agromisa.org CTA The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) was established in 1983 under the Lomé Convention between the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) Group of States and the European Union Member States. Since 2000, it has operated within the framework of the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement. CTA’s tasks are to develop and provide products and services that improve access to information for agricultural and rural development, and to strengthen the capacity of ACP countries to acquire, process, produce and disseminate informa- tion in this area. CTA is financed by the European Union. CTA: THE TECHNICAL CENTRE FOR AGRICuLTuRAL AND RuRAL COOPERATION Postbus 380 | 6700 AJ Wageningen | The Netherlands | Telephone: +31 (0) 317 467100 Fax: +31 (0) 317 460067 | E-mail: cta@cta.int | www.cta.int PELuM (KENyA) Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya is a network of 37 Civil Society Organizations working with grass-root communities in Kenya. It is part of the greater PELUM Association which was started in 1995 and operates in 10 Countries in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. PELUM Kenya promotes participatory ecological land use management in Kenya by building the capacity of members and partners to respond appropriately towards the empowerment of communities and promoting the use of indigenous knowledge and local innovations. In order to strengthen linkages and collaboration, action learning among partners and members is used. PELUM Kenya is also active in campaigning, advocating and lobbying for change of policies in favor of small-scale farmers, in order to increase the visibility of small-scale farmers. All this is dovetailed in three activity based programmes namely; the Campaign, Advocacy and Lobbying (CAL) Programme; the Research and Information Management (RIM) Programme and the Capacity Enhancement (CEP) Programme. PELuM (KENyA) P.O Box 6123 - 01000 | Thika, Kenya | Tel + 254 – 67 – 31686 | Fax + 254 – 020 - 2160186 E-mail: pelumkenya@pelum.net | www.pelum.net