COUNTRY COMPASS 41Islamic Republic of Iran and Kashmir; current liveli hood approach to ... of Afghan carpet industry is estimated to be also in export volume US$290–325 million

C O U N T R Y C O M P A S S

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 16 January 2008

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AFGHANISTAN

A land of non-wood forest products Afghanistan is an exquisitely beautifulcountry comprised of mountains, scatteredforests and lakes, located in the HinduKush mountain range and over 500 kmfrom the nearest ocean. It has acontinental climate: summers are warmeverywhere except on the highest peaks,while winters can be extremely cold withconsiderable snowfall at high altitudes; atlower elevations, winters are milder andthe climate is that of the desert or semi-desert.

The country is divided into 34 provinces,with Kabul as the largest city andadministrative capital. Agriculture hastraditionally been the basis of theeconomy, the main crops being wheat, fruitand vegetables, maize, barley, cotton,sugar beet and sugar cane. The rearing oflivestock, mainly sheep, cattle and goats, isalso important, and is the principal activitythroughout the desert and semi-desertareas. The little industrial activityconcentrates on food processing, textiles,leather goods and furniture. Since 1979,most sectors of the economy have beenbadly affected by almost continuous civilwarfare. Eighty percent of the country’spopulation relies directly on the naturalresources to meet their daily needs. Out ofits total land area, only 12 percent (7.9million ha) is arable and 4 percentirrigated. An additional 46 percent is underpermanent pastures and 3 percent underforest cover. The remaining percentage ismountainous.

Afghanistan has a multitude of NWFPs,which could contribute substantially to thenational economy. The country can bedivided into five geographic regionsaccording to their NWFP suitability, asshown in the Table on p. 42.

Potential Ongoing activities of government Activities neededNWFPs and non-government agencies

Fruit and The World Bank’s Poverty and Health Production of quality fruit andtimber Development Profile (PHDP) and the Ministry timber seedlings for bettertrees of Agriculture, United States Agency for utilization as food, fuelwood,

International Development (USAID), German fodder, wood, etc. for localTechnical Cooperation (GTZ) and the Bangladesh consumption and to reduceRural Advancement Committee (BRAC) are forest depletionimplementing a project for quality seedling production with community people, local entrepreneurs and farmers’ associations

Medicinal No detailed information on medicinal plants Explore medicinal plant plants was found but rural people are using herbal potential throughout the country

medicines at large and vendors of herbal as the rural population is medicines exist throughout the country dependent on herbal medicines

Dried Local entrepreneurs produce export quality dried Best-quality fruit fruits figs, black and green raisins, dried apricots production and processingand nuts and pistachios in different parts of the country of dried fruits and nuts

for local consumption and export to the Islamic could constitute importantRepublic of Iran and neighbouring countries export-oriented NWFPs

Saffron Local entrepreneurs produce saffron in some Best-quality saffron productionparts of the country. Major growing areas are the could become an alternativeIslamic Republic of Iran and Kashmir; current livelihood approach toprice/kg of good-quality saffron is US$200 opium cultivation

Apiculture FAO has conducted several exploratory Develop apiculture through assessments for apiculture as a means of research and support of thepotential income-generating activities (IGAs) Ministry of Agriculture and donorfor the landless, disadvantaged and rural poor and development agencies

Sericulture The Ministry of Agriculture has conducted Sericulture could be a majorseveral initiatives to establish this potential income generation for rural industry through research and assessments populations since mulberryin coordination with FAO trees are largely available

throughout the country

Mushrooms USAID-funded projects have initially been carried Mushrooms could be anout in the eastern part of the country, involving export-oriented industry inthe rural population as a potential IGA activity rural areas

Oil crops The Ministry of Agriculture and FAO have Oil crop production, processing (olives, conducted experiments and projects for the to oil and preparation for localalmonds, production of oil crop development; local consumption and exportsunflowers, entrepreneurs and farmers cultivate these cotton, crops but most of the production goes to mustard, etc.) neighbouring countries for processing

Juices and Local entrepreneurs process juice for local Quality juice production frompreserves markets. Export to international markets could abundant fruits and its processingfrom orchard be organized since quality fruits are available could be of high demand on localfruits throughout the country and international markets

Karakul USAID-funded programme includes research Improved production level and to improve the sector; 75 000 lamb pelts are quality of Karakul sheep are

exported per year from Afghanistan at varying needed, with an increase inprices – a very good-quality lamb pelt costs Karakul sheep herders and alsoUS$45 on the EU market in export volume

Wool USAID-funded programme includes research Improved production level andto improve the sector; at present wool is sent quality improvement of Afghan

to Pakistan where carpets are prepared and wool are needed, with an exported as Pakistani carpets. Yearly turnover increase in sheep herders and of Afghan carpet industry is estimated to be also in export volumeUS$290–325 million

Tourism National entrepreneurs are eager to vitalize Exploration of tourism industry, tourism. Afghan Logistics and Tours have already assessment of national begun and, if the security situation economic development from improves, this sector could be of major tourism sectorearning importance to the national economy

NWFPs: present and future activities

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such as an infusion of plantain leaves androots, considered cold, are prescribed toheal sickness caused by cold influences,e.g. respiratory diseases and summerheadaches.

Herbs highly popular among Afghanhealers include the daraona (eyeinflammation), water lily and Zizyphusvulgaris fruits (heart arrhythmia),Plantago ovata (headaches), Capparisspinosa, Condonopsis clematidea andRumex nepalensis (indigestion), Cannabisindica, aloe and Citrullus colocynthis(laxative). An infusion of Rubia tinctorumleaves is used to increase female fertility.Berberis lycium and mirhinz (Hippophaerhamnoides) are renowned panaceas. Thelatter is traded and exported, since it ishighly sought after by traditional healersand the drug industry, especially in China.(Source: a translated extract fromBrandolini, G.V. 2005. Medicinetradizionali. Bergamo, Italy, CRF Press.)(Contributed by: G.V. Brandolini, OrizzonteTerra, via Mazzini 30, I-24 128 Bergamo,Italy. Tel./fax (+39) 035 21 91 42; e-mail:[email protected])

ARMENIA

Armenia Tree Project receives US$100 000grant to partner with Yale University A new partnership between the ArmeniaTree Project (ATP), Yale University’s GlobalInstitute of Sustainable Forestry andConservation International will bringinternational “best practices” of sustainableforestry to Armenia. The joint venture,“Evaluation and Implementation ofSustainable Forestry Models in NorthernArmenia,” involves conducting a state-of-the-art analysis of the forest ecosystems inthe Lori region with the aim of producingthe first sustainable forestry trainingmanual tailored to the specific needs ofArmenia.

The goals of the project are to evaluatethe condition of the forests in northernArmenia, paying particular attention to the

Years ago, Afghan NWFPs – especiallyfruits and nuts – were world famous;however, because of the country’s situationof unrest over the last 25 years, this tradehas been mostly abolished. In addition,during this long period the growinggrounds of these products have beendestroyed. The remaining resources areused by local people who rely on theirtraditional knowledge in the collection,processing and consumption of theirvaluable NWFPs.

NWFPs, which could play a vital role inthe economy of Afghanistan, need toreceive intensive attention and increasedimportance from the Government anddevelopment agencies working in thecountry. A multitude of NWFPs could beexported. The successful development ofthese products could have a profoundimpact on Afghan farmers, the economyand their international marketability. Bybeing involved in NWFP cultivation andmanagement, Afghan farmers could findan alternative livelihood to divert themeventually from illegal opium cultivation.

In order to achieve national economicobjectives the potential NWFP sector mustbe transformed in the best way as soon aspossible. (Contributed by: MohammadMuktadir Hossain, Sector Specialist(Forestry), Agriculture DevelopmentProgramme, BRAC Afghanistan, House 45,Lane 4, Baharistan, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Fax: 00 93 798 125 100; e-mail:[email protected]; www.bracafg.org)

Medicinal herbs, an asset for localmedicine and the export tradeHerbs are a key resource for mostAfghans, both as domestic drugs and astraditional healers’ remedies. Medicinalplants are also harvested, dried andexported. A flourishing trade existstowards Tibet and India. Herb shops areoften run by herbalists of Hindu or Sikhdescent, called pansar.

In Afghanistan, Ayurveda conceptionsare combined with Arabic influences. Thus,the diagnosis and therapeutic principles ofAfghan herbalists are often ascribed to thefour elements: heat, cold, moisture anddryness (air, earth, fire and water).

Home care is the first resort in illness.Where this fails, the family of the patientasks for the advice and help of a spiritualleader (mullah) or exorcist (jenkash). Anaromatic seed called asfand (Peganumharmala) can be burned, in order to purifyhomes and persons from the evil eye.Afterwards, or as an alternative to thisspiritual intervention, a healer (hakim inDari or tabib in Arabic) prescribes theappropriate drugs and gives dieteticadvice.

Food and drugs with opposite humourssuch as cold and hot, are used to re-establish body balance. Bitter concoctions

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Capparis spinosa

Region Province covered Potential NWFPs

East Nangarhar, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman Oil cropsApiculture and sericultureSkins/hides/leatherDried fruits and nutsWool and carpets

West Hirat, Farah, Badghis, Ghor SaffronCashmereDried fruits and nuts

Central Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Logar, Skin/hides/leatherBamyan, Daykundi Juices and preserves

Orchard fruit (juicing)Dried fruits and nuts

North Balkh, Faryab, Saripul, Jawzjan, Samangan, Orchard fruit (juicing)and northeast Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Kunduz Weaving and embroidery

KarakulWool and cashmereTourismDried fruits and nuts

South Kandahar, Paktika, Paktya, Ghazni, Khost, Orchard fruits/dried fruitsand southwest Zabul, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimroz Forestry

Red meat/casingSkins/hides/leatherCarpets

NWFP potential in different regions of Afghanistan



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factors that are limiting the ability forregeneration. An assessment will be madeof plants, herbs and other NTFPs that maybe sustainably harvested for generatingalternative income for residents living inclose proximity to the forests. Training onrotational grazing will be held withlivestock owners to prevent soil erosionand further degradation of forests.

This two-year $100 000 project is beingfunded by the Critical EcosystemPartnership Fund.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Armenia Tree Project, 65 Main Street,Watertown, MA 02472, United States ofAmerica. E-mail: [email protected];www.armeniatree.org

AUSTRALIA

Double gain for tea tree oil industry A nine-year breeding programme hasresulted in a new “breed” of tea tree thatcould increase the Australian industry’scompetitiveness by dramaticallyincreasing production volumes of high-quality tea tree oil.

Tea tree oil is a significant part ofAustralia’s essential oil industry – it isincorporated into many personal care andhousehold products and is also used in avariety of agriculture and veterinaryapplications. The Australian industry isslowly recovering from several years ofdecline when the prices of this oil fell belowthe cost of production for many producers.Recent increases in demand and higherprices have seen renewed interest ingrowing the tea tree. Other challenges facethe industry, however, such as the threat ofincreasing overseas competition.

The breeding programme forms part ofan industry strategy developed by Ensisscientist, Dr John Doran. He says that ifAustralian producers are to maintain theircommercial viability, they need to giveserious consideration to replanting with thebest material the breeding programme canprovide. “The improved seed will be able toproduce plants that are capable ofproducing 270 kg of oil/ha from paddocksthat would otherwise yield 148 kg/ha, ifestablished with unimproved seed,” he says.

The principal source of oil is Melaleucaalternifolia, a medium-sized tree from thecoastal plains of New South Wales.(Source: North Queensland Register[Australia], 10 July 2007.)

TFS sandalwood Tropical Forestry Services (TFS) is theworld’s leading sustainable and sociallyresponsible producer and manager of Indiansandalwood (Santalum album) with over 1 100 ha established in Kununurra, WesternAustralia’s tropical Kimberley region.

Since 1999 TFS has planted, andcontinues to plant, the prized Indiansandalwood using seeds originally sourcedfrom India. Expert foresters have concludedthat these trees will be suitable forharvesting at age 13 to 15 years based oncurrent rates of heartwood formation. TFSplans to become vertically integrated,consistently to supply large quantities ofhigh-quality plantation-grown Indiansandalwood oil, cultivated and produced inan environmentally friendly and ethical way.

The latest Baz Luhrmann film Australia,starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman,is currently being filmed on the beautifulKingston Rest property purchased by TFSlate last year. TFS believes that this uniquelybeautiful property represents the future ofIndian sandalwood, allowing the company toexpand on its existing 1 100 ha. As part ofthis acquisition, TFS has committed toexpanding its existing training andemployment opportunities for indigenousAustralians. About half of the Kimberleypopulation is of Aboriginal descent. TFS iscommitted to providing employmentopportunities to ensure that at least half ofits Kingston Rest staff is indigenous by 2016.By working with the Kimberley communityand environment we believe we can help toensure shared long-term benefits for thecommunity, the environment and TFS.

TFS has donated the profits from filmingto the Clontarf Foundation, a programmeaimed at encouraging education, goodhealth and relationship-building among theregion’s indigenous children. (Contributedby: Danae Christensen, Research Officer,

Tropical Forestry Services Limited, PO Box3068, East St George’s Terrace, Perth WA6832, Australia. Fax: +61 8 9221 9477; e-mail: [email protected];www.tfsltd.com.au)

BANGLADESH

Hogla (Typha elephantina Roxb.): a potential NTFP for socio-economicupliftment in rural Bangladesh Hogla, the local name for a bush-like smallplant, Typha elephantina Roxb. of the familyTyphaceae, looks like a grass and mayattain heights of 2–5 m. The species showsan encouraging growth performance inwaterlogged, swamp and even under poorsoil nutrition conditions in Bangladesh. Italso provides a satisfactory yield in ruralareas when incorporated with otheragrocrops, without hampering the maincrops. The species could, therefore, be aneconomically viable associate crop in ruralareas since it does not require extra care,fertilizers or other costs involved in thecollection and planting of seeds. The plantcan survive even after a heavy flood.

Dried grasses of the species areextensively used to make prayer mats, andother types of mats, baskets, ropes andvarious handicrafts. The residual matter(i.e. defective leaves, petiole, roots) of theplant is also extensively used as fuel andfor partitioning and thatching purposesamong rural farm holders. Moreover, theplant produces a huge quantity of pollen,which is used to prepare a delicioustraditional food in rural areas.

A recent study of southwestern floodplain areas of Bangladesh reveals that ruralwomen, old people and even children areinvolved in preparing secondary productsfrom hogla leaves, while men are mainlyengaged in the planting, collection, sortingand marketing of the leaves. Women usuallyutilize their leisure time to producesecondary products. The study alsosuggests that planting of hogla just once cansecure the sustainability of plantingmaterials on the same field for at least tenyears. It was also evident that farmers canearn an additional US$5 from a decimal partof their land just from selling hogla leaves.

In Bangladesh – a country with a hugepopulation growth, shrinking income andper capita agricultural land, lowagricultural productivity, acute shortage offuel in rural areas, and where suddenfloods become serious threats –

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incorporating hogla with other profitableagricultural crops can be an advantageoussolution. The massive introduction of thespecies in rural areas will also empowerwomen and old people to contributeincreasingly to their family income and thusto improve their living standards. Theresidual products obtained from thespecies can be used to minimize thedomestic fuel shortfall in rural areas.However, the marketing system, both forprimary and secondary products, needs tobe improved to maximize the profit ofgrowers and producers. (Contributed by:Sharif Ahmed Mukul, Department ofForestry and Environmental Science,School of Agriculture and MineralSciences, Shahjalal University of Scienceand Technology, Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh.E-mail: [email protected])

Murta (Schumannianthus dichotoma)cottage industry in socio-economicdevelopment of rural people in thenortheastern region of Bangladesh A recent study has attempted to generateinformation on the status of theSchumannianthus dichotoma (murta)cottage industry and its contribution to theincome and employment of rural areas inthe northeastern region of Bangladesh withthe aim of improving the databasenecessary for any socio-economicdevelopment programme. This survey wascarried out at Gowainghat thana(subdistricts) in Sylhet district.

The forest-based cottage industry is oneof the major sources of off-farm income forthe rural population of Bangladesh. NWFPscould generate potential income for thelocal people and provide employment forabout 229 000 of them, which wouldcontinue throughout the year, or at leastduring the agriculture off-season.

Murta, an important NWFP belonging tothe family Marantaceae, is a clump-formingshrubby plant, dichotomously branched,with green cylindrical stems of 3.7–4.6 m in

height and a diameter of 2 cm. Local namesfor this NWFP differ throughoutBangladesh, e.g. patipata and pati-jung inthe Chittagong region, mostak in Noakhali,pat-bat and murta in the Sylhet and Tangailregions and paitrabon in Barisal.

The species is generally grown in low-lying marshy areas of greater Sylhet,Mymensingh, Barisal, Noakhali, Chittagongand Pabna districts and covers sizeableareas in the forest of Sylhet division. It issporadically planted along roadsides andaround ponds and, formerly, fallow andunproductive paddy fields were used for itslarge-scale cultivation.

Murta is extensively used as a rawmaterial in cottage industries, especially forfloor mats, prayer mats and woven utensils,and is adopted by both the rich and the poor.A recent valuation study revealed that thestem (culm) harvested from 100 ha of land,worth 65 lakh taka (US$108 300) canproduce products (such as shitalpati prayermats) worth 1 crore 80 lakh taka(approximately US$300 000). Thus, it plays asignificant role in generating income andproviding employment opportunities, aswell as improving the socio-economicstatus of the rural people.

A large number of local peoplethroughout the country have adopted themurta-based cottage industry as eithertheir part-time or full-time profession andhave earned a substantial income. Variousnovelty items produced from it are verypopular with both the people of Bangladeshand also abroad, where it is in great demandand earns foreign currency. But, this is allabout to be ruined since more and morefallow land is now being converted foragricultural production, considerablyreducing murta production. The productivityand sustainability of the industry are,therefore, becoming uncertain because ofthis shortage and artisans are consequentlysuffering the curse of poverty. If this processcontinues, production of the popularshitalpati prayer mat will decrease andultimately be lost forever, makingthousands of people jobless.

Our study revealed that 77 percent of thetotal population are directly involved in thiscottage industry and that each articlefetches a different price, depending on totalrequirements for murta and othermaterials, market demand and workdaysrequired to produce an article. The netaverage profit/workday on various articlesvaries from Tk16 to 51, with net profit/articlevarying from Tk25 to127. Entrepreneurs

manufacture articles according to seasonalrequirements and local market demand.

The murta-based cottage industry,therefore, can improve rural livelihoods,help to generate additional employmentand income, contribute to foreign currencyand support biodiversity conservation.Murta can play a vital role in the economyand environment of the country. It ispossible to develop the cottage industry toa profitable international standard throughthe scientific cultivation of murta on privateand government forest lands. It isnecessary to look not at the product orcommodity in isolation, but at a wide rangeof factors that would enable it to beexploited, managed for sustainability andmarketed for profit. The government andother national and international agenciesshould come forward to motivate and assistinterested farmers through technicalsupport and financial assistance to help theindustry flourish. If managed properly, itwill not only attract foreign currency butalso create employment opportunities forthousands of unemployed villagers inBangladesh. (Contributed by: RomelAhmed, Mostafizur Rahman, A.N.M.Fakhrul Islam and Mohammad Redowan,Department of Forestry, ShahjalalUniversity of Science and Technology,Sylhet 3114, Bangladesh. E-mail: [email protected])

BHUTAN

Grow bamboo, save trees In Bhutan, bamboo is seen as a possiblealternative to wood to reduce the pressureon forests. The Forestry DevelopmentCorporation Limited (FDCL) office inPhuentsholing distributed 10 000 seedlingson 2 June 2007 to government agenciesand interested private individuals inSamtse and Chukha dzongkhags (districts)to start large-scale cultivation of bamboo.The bamboo seedlings were raised lastyear mainly in Samtse.

More than 866 acres (approximately350.5 ha) of degraded land under Samtseand Chukha dzongkhags were identified lastyear for plantation of various bamboospecies and other valuable tree species thatwere of commercial value according to thedivisional manager of FDCL, Tashi Peljore.Bamboo helped to conserve soil and waterin catchment areas such as Balujora inPasakha and Dam Dum in Samtse byminimizing the downstream flow of silt.

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Bamboo products such as flag postswith reti and khorlo supplied by FDCL havebeen extremely effective as a substitute forwood. Since the establishment of bambooplantations in mid-2006, 1 500 flag postshave been supplied to the public atreasonable rates, said Tashi Peljore.Bamboo is now also used by architects anddesigners in the construction of airysummer houses as well as for furniture.Gardeners in the southern region growbamboo for screening and greening, and tobe used as flagpoles and scaffolding.

Phuentsholing is the second highestconsumer of timber after Thimphuaccording to FDCL officials. (Source:Kuensel [Bhutan], 28 June 2007.)

BOLIVIA

Caiman (Caiman yacare) in Bolivia: aCITES success After a long period of overexploitation ofcaiman (Caiman yacare) for its leather inBolivia, the Government installed a generalprohibition against hunting of the animal in1990 – having signed the Convention onInternational Trade in Endangered Speciesof Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1987 –and this resulted in the population’srecovery. It has now grown strong andhunting is again possible, although it isregulated by quotas that assure it cannotbe overexploited once again.

CITES set a quota of 50 000 caimanleathers that can be exported per year,which until now has been respected andgave estimated returns to the local peopleof around US$0.38 for 40 062 skins in 2003,and US$0.44 for 46 720 skins in 2004.

The preliminary results of an evaluationundertaken by the National Programme ofCaiman Management in 2005 indicate thataround 1 750 people are employed in thecommercialization of caiman leathers.(Source: Trade measures – tools topromote the sustainable use of NWFPs?FAO Non-Wood Forest Products WorkingDocument 6.)

BRAZIL

Top-selling products at Mercadão Floresta One of the main purposes of MercadãoFloresta (Forest Market), organized by theNGO Amigos da Terra–Amazônia Brasileiraand held from 25 May to 3 June at theMunicipal Market of São Paulo, was topresent the enormous range of productsbased on Brazilian biodiversity and theimportance of protecting Brazilian biomesfor residents of São Paulo. For the firsttime, these products were made availablefor retail and, simultaneously, renownedchefs took turns in providing taste tests andtalks in a gastronomical venue establishedat the market.

One of the highlights of the fair, forexample, was a sweet made from umbú(Spondias tuberosa) and organic sugarproduced by the Canudos, Uauá and CuraçáFamily-Based Agricultural Cooperative,which works in the semi-arid Braziliannortheast.

Another top seller was organic powderedcocoa from the Atlantic rain forest,produced by the Cabruca Cooperative ofOrganic Farmers in southern Bahia inpartnership with the Belgian firm, BarryCallebaut, a worldwide leader in theproduction of cocoa and chocolate goods.Certified by the Biodynamics Institute (IBD),the product is obtained by processing 100percent organic cocoa seeds, without theuse of any pesticides.

Baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) nuts were alsomuch sought after among theagroecological products. Produced at theCerrado (savannah) Center for Studies andSustainable Use, their sustainableeconomic use helps preserve the speciesand aids local communities directly involvedin production.

One of the market niches offered was anextra virgin, cold-pressed Brazil nut oil.Produced by Ouro Verde, it is perfect forsalads, risottos, fish and complex recipes.Rich in omega 6, omega 9 and vitamin E andwith no cholesterol, it helps to prevent heartdisease, stimulates the immunologicalsystem and increases longevity.

Another hot item was honey vinegar,from the Fernão Velho bee farm. A naturalproduct, it is made from water andfermented hydromel (mead) acetic acid, anddoes not contain preservatives or artificialaromas.

The event was an important opportunityfor companies from northern Brazil tomarket their products. José Luiz Felício,

manager of Miragina, said that “the fair isan excellent way of bringing our productsand making them known”. The companyfrom Acre, founded in the 1960s, makesBrazil nut-based products. Generatingincome for traditional populations, deliciousbiscuits are made from Brazil nuts. Thesewere one of the top sellers at the fair, withfour extra shipments being brought in tosupply the demand generated by the event.

The same happened with frozen açaí(Euterpe oleracea) from Fruitamazon, acompany from Pará, which transferred itsactivities to the neighbouring state ofAmapá and is known for offering the bestaçaí pulp available on the Brazilian market.The company has 30 ha planted and alsobuys from riverbank communities in placessuch as Calçoene, Porto Grande, Serra doNavio, Ferreira Gomes and Mazagão inAmapá. Açaí has been arousing interestaround the world because of its nutritionalvalue. In addition to having become a fadamong youths throughout the country,several products that include açaí arebeginning to appear abroad.

Besides açaí, names such as cupuaçu(Theobroma grandiflorum), pequi (Caryocarbrasiliense), taperebá (Spondias mombinJacq.), buriti (Mauritia vinifera and M.flexuosa), tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum)and bacuri (Platonia insignis) have nowentered the vocabulary of Brazilianproducts. Chocolate sweets with fruitfillings from Amazonia, chocolate pralineswith forest fruits prepared by chef DanielBriand and native fruit hand soaps fromAtelier Especiarias also were part of the mixof top-selling products at the fair.

Setting records in terms of public andsales, the fair demonstrates the hugepotential of forest products and howproduction and sales of these products arethe means to keep the forest standing.(Source: Amazonia.org.br, 4 June 2007.)

BULGARIA

President affirms Bulgaria’s forests as national symbol Bulgaria’s forests should be regarded as anational symbol, President GeorgiPurvanov said, during a regionalconference about forest preservation andrestoration issues in the southeasternBulgarian town of Yambol. Purvanov addedthat the Bulgarian forestry sector needs aclear strategy and also a real governingpolicy that could yield visible results.

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He called for reforms that would combineexperience and tradition. “I hope theestablishment of the State Agency forForestry will revive the love of forest andcare of its fate,” Purvanov said. He alsoexpressed his hope that next year’s budgetwould allow this agency to be financiallyindependent. (Source: Sofia Echo [Bulgaria],24 August 2007.)

CAMBODIA

Searching for the secret of sustainablerattan use NTFPs are important resources for localCambodian communities, since theyprovide people with many necessities suchas food, income, medicine and shelter.Rattan is one of the most important NTFPs;in some communities selling rattan is thesecond major source of a family’s income.Unfortunately, an increasingly high demandfor rattan and other NTFPs threatens forestresources and local livelihoods.

Under sound management, rattan canprovide a sustainable income for manycommunities. The WWF Greater Mekong’sCambodia Country Programme is workingwith the Preak Thnot commune, locatedaround Bokor National Park in easternCambodia, to develop a suitable rattanmanagement model. The aim of the projectis to develop economic incentives for localpeople to manage rattan sustainably insidethe forest or Community Protected Areas.

A rattan management group, composedof two subgroups – the handicraft group andthe nursery group – has been established. Itis estimated that through value-addedprocessing and market linkages, groupmembers could generate an additionalUS$600–800 per year. Part of this extraincome could be used to administer thegroup and also fund the cost of establishingrattan plantations inside the forest, whichprovide local people with a renewablesource of rattan.

To support plantation activities, WWF hasestablished Cambodia’s first rattan nursery.Covering an area of more than 200 m2, thenursery can produce around 20 000–30 000rattan seedlings per year. Under themanagement of the rattan group, localvillagers have received training on the day-to-day management of the nursery,collection of seeds and transplantationtechniques. The villagers are collectingseeds and seedlings from areas of the forestwith high densities of rattan. In six months

time, the seedlings will be planted inspecific areas in the forest and once theplantation is established the nursery willsell its seedlings to other villages. (Source:WWF Cambodia, 28 June 2007.)

Flourishing trade in Cambodian cane Home to a number of indigenous tribes,Ratanakiri Province lies nestled in the lushupland forests of northeast Cambodia.Communities eke out a living by growing ricefor half of the year, but food shortagescaused by low yields and increasing familysize are common. One source of income iscashews, grown in fields created out of theforest through the slash-and-burntechnique. However, this practice isthreatening forest biodiversity as well aslimiting availability of other NTFPs on whichvillagers depend for nutrition, buildingmaterials, medicines and money to buy foodand other household essentials.

Cambodians have traditionally harvesteda wide variety of NTFPs, including numerousspecies of wild fruits and nuts, resin, honey,mushrooms, medicinal plants, bamboo andrattan. But untapped potential exists forincreasing the value of many of theseproducts for rural communities. Bambooand rattan, in particular, have a range ofdifferent uses – as raw materials for buildinghouses and for household furniture.

In addition, bamboo and rattan are oftenfashioned by villagers into baskets, boxes,musical instruments and other handicraftsand sold on a limited basis. However, bylearning the technical skills needed tomanufacture high-quality goods, gainingdirect access to markets and learningsustainable cultivation and harvestingpractices, villagers could achieve consistentprofits while maintaining the forest habitat inwhich rattan and bamboo flourish.

In order to provide support to forestcommunities in Ratanakiri, several NGOs inCambodia have formed the National NTFPWorking Group. For example, theCommunity Handicraft Initiative Project(CHIP), recently launched by the CambodianNTFP Development Organization (CAN-DO),

aims to revive and preserve the skills neededto create traditional arts and crafts amongthe indigenous Kreung people, while alsoproviding training in forest conservation andbusiness skills. CAN-DO executive directorSarim Heang reports that the organization issupporting two village NTFP enterprises(VNEs), set up in late 2006, where membersparticipate in workshops, demonstrationsand informal discussions to learn how toharvest bamboo and rattan in a sustainablemanner.

At the NTFP workshop in December 2006attended by CAN-DO and others, techniqueswere shared for sustainable harvesting andcultivation of bamboo and rattan. MarkPoffenberger, director of CommunityForestry International (CFI) – anothermember of the National NTFP WorkingGroup – emphasized that regular trimmingof bamboo is necessary to maintain highlevels of plant productivity. Poffenbergeradded that the practice of culturing rattanand bamboo is also growing in Cambodia.For example, training is given on how toseparate and prepare bamboo seedlings forplanting, when to plant and how to plantthree bamboos in a triangle to improve windresistance. Amanda Bradley of CFI reportsthat community forestry groups are alsoprotecting the bamboo and rattan habitat byorganizing patrols to prevent burning andlogging.

To enhance development of bamboo andrattan handicrafts each VNE, supported byCAN-DO, holds regular gatherings todiscuss methods for improving quality,colouring, patterns, product size anddelivery. More formal monthly meetings areheld where producers review theirachievements and develop action plans forthe following month.

Heang notes that VNE members arebeginning to understand that customerpreferences must be taken seriously toimprove profitability. In addition to customerfeedback, producers receive support andregular field visits from CAN-DO. Thesestrategies are also endorsed byPoffenberger who believes “improvedprocessing can substantially enhance NTFPvalues, often raising the gate price of aproduct by 300–1 000 percent”.

Creating direct market access is alsosupported by CAN-DO, particularly withrattan back-baskets sold in Banlung town.Producers are now transporting their goodsdirectly to two retailers, cutting outintermediaries and thus increasing profits.In addition, with partners such as the

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Artisans’ Association of Cambodia, CAN-DOis assisting producers to design more value-added products, including musicalinstruments and home accessories. Duringthe last six months, Heang reports that VNEmembers have begun to realize that bambooand rattan will provide significant income fortheir families, but only if they continue toprotect the forest, adopt sustainablemethods of cultivation and harvesting, andwork continually to improve product quality.

CAN-DO is part of a collaborative networkof NGOs and community-basedorganizations. It works closely with the Non-Timber Forest Products ExchangeProgramme for South and Southeast Asia,the National NTFP Working Group, andsome handicrafts-based NGOs andenterprises in Cambodia to enable the CHIPendeavour to move forward. (Source: TreenaHein, New Agriculturist Web site, viewed 8October 2007.)

CAMEROON

Bee farming and honey marketingorganizations in the Northwest ProvinceTwo types of honey are extracted from theKilum-Ijim forest of the Northwest Province:light brown and cream white honey. Thelight brown honey is more popular in theNorthwest Province and other parts ofCameroon. The cream white honey,principally extracted from the highest peaksof the Kilum-Ijim forest, is less popular andtherefore scarcer in the province. Indeed,this honey, which looks like cream butter, isunknown not only to many consumers in theprovince but also to many Cameroonians.

As quality is a key element in productmarketing, honey is no exception. Each ofthe marketing organizations assesses thehumidity level of their honey usingappropriate instruments. In addition todetermining humidity levels, the differenthoney types are sold in measurementsranging from 100 g to 30 kg. While dealers incream white honey present it in open-mouthed containers, those of light brownhoney do not have any standard measures.

A recent paper assessed the efficiency ofhoney marketing organizations in theNorthwest Province, while raisingawareness on the economic and ecologicalpotentials of bee farming. Data werecollected on the type and form of honeymarketed, as well as the costs and pricesusing a structured questionnaire. Secondarydata were obtained from the sales records of

the market dealers covering a period of fiveyears. Costs and profit margins wereanalysed. Irrespective of type of honey, themarketing organizations were judged to bemore efficient dealing with comb honey thanpartially drained honey when used as rawmaterial. Furthermore, the honey marketingorganizations are profitable with a netmargin of at least 18 percent, the minimuminterest rate charged by microfinanceinstitutions across the Northwest Province.

Results of the study suggest that profitmargins of the product marketed could beincreased if market dealers interact andshare experiences. While there is an obviousneed for improving the technical capacitiesof actors of the subsector, more specificinformation on the cost structure of theentire value chain would shed more light onthe potential and actual contributions of beefarming to emerging regional and nationaleconomies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACTTHE AUTHORS: Dorothy Kenyi Malaa, AgriculturalEconomist, Institute of Agricultural Research forDevelopment (IRAD), PO Box 44, Dschang,Cameroon; e-mail: [email protected] orMichael Boboh Vabi, Socio-economist,International Institute of Tropical Agriculture(IITA), PO Box 2008, Messa, Yaoundé, Cameroon.E-mail: [email protected],[email protected]

Exhibition of local indigenous cropsimpresses population It was a day for local/indigenous crops andNTFPs recently in Bamenda with anexhibition to raise awareness about theirvalue and importance. The welcomeinitiative by the Network for SustainableAgriculture (NESA) and the WesternHighlands Nature Conservation Network(WHINCONET) assembled rare local andindigenous food crops from the WesternHighlands: pumpkins, bambara groundnuts,cowpeas, garden eggs, cashew nuts,monkey cola, Bali guava, passion (Adam)fruit, ancop, tree trunk mushrooms, etc.

Fon Nsoh, President of NESA, toldparticipants at the exhibition about the needto encourage the consumption, promotion,cultivation and preservation of indigenousfood crops. Fon Nsoh revealed that about100 million Africans suffer from foodinsecurity which exposes them to serioushealth risks and famine. He blamed it on theunderuse or misuse of existing foodresources and expressed the conviction thatthe base of Africa’s food supply could bebroadened by growing its almost forgottenindigenous food crops and also by thesustainable exploitation of NTFPs. It wasevident during the exhibition that Africa’sindigenous knowledge base for foodproduction and especially traditional foodcrops is being lost and that is why most ofthe major foods cultivated and consumedhave their origins elsewhere.

The exhibition also offered a rare momentfor lessons on the advantages of indigenouscrops over exotic ones as many wereencouraged to consume, to give farmers achance to improve their standard of living.

The NESA exhibition was organized underthe combined theme “Valuinglocal/indigenous food as a right for peopleliving in poverty, rural women as agents ofchange, producing and providing”. Theexhibition was organized on the heels of the2007 Rural Women’s Day, World Food Dayand the International Day for the Eradicationof Poverty. (Source: Cameroon Tribune, 29October 2007.)

CANADA

Forestry funding coming to Chapleau,Ontario A northeastern Ontario mill town will be theepicentre of a movement to harvest thewealth of northern Ontario’s alternativebioproducts commercially on a regionalscale. With $1.6 million in seed funding fromOttawa, the town of Chapleau has beenchosen to make it happen.

The forestry town of 2 300 people wasselected in July as one of 11 sites acrossCanada for Natural Resources Canada’s(NRCan) new Forest Communities Program(FCP). The potential in developing NTFPscaught the attention of NRCan officials. The11 communities and their yet-to-be createdregional organizations will be able to tap intoa $25 million fund dispensed over five years.The idea behind these organizations is todevelop and share knowledge, tools andstrategies to help hard-hit forestry towns

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make a transition into value-added andemerging new forest-based opportunities.

The programme, to be known as theNortheast Superior Forest Communitypartnership, may be headquartered inChapleau but project manager Sylvie Albertwants to cast a wide regional net and buildas much collaboration as possible. Armedwith $325 000 for each of the next five years,Albert says that the programme emphasisis beyond just building bricks and mortarand making inventories of what is availablein the bush. She wants to see a new wave ofinnovative forest projects come through toproduction. For some small producers, themoney will be a final incentive to take theirfledgling enterprises to the next step.

Besides Chapleau, five othercommunities of Dubreuilville, Hornepayne,White River, Manitouwadge and thetownship of Michipicoten will be involved inthe partnership, which includes involvementwith three area First Nation communities.They will have at their disposal universityacademics and community developmentpersonnel as well as government, businessand industry experts in value-addedforestry.

Combined with the NRCan money, Alberthas raised a total of $2.3 million withadditional community contributions and sheis looking for more. Other players such asthe Northern Ontario School of Medicine(NOSM) and Laurentian University’s Schoolof Management, where Albert teaches, arecoming on board as collaborative partners.NOSM is interested in using plants in theboreal forest for medicinal and nutraceutical(natural health products) uses.

Albert says that one of the mostadvanced projects is the newly created Non-Timber Forest Products Corporation. Highon its agenda is finding new and promisingNTFPs to commercialize, such asblueberries. Quebec, Nova Scotia and NewBrunswick have already done so with greatsuccess, she says.

There are other promising natural cropssuch as Canada yew (an ingredient used tofight cancer) and fireweed (a skin carenutraceutical).

“If you have pockets of producers acrossthe north, it would certainly support whatother provinces are trying to do on aworldwide scale,” says Albert. “There aremany things the forest has to offer beyondjust cutting lumber that could be utilized tostart up cottage industries.” (Source:Northern Ontario Business, 6 September2007.)

Maple syrup harvest bittersweetDespite a disastrous maple syrup crop inthe lower St Lawrence region this year, theproduct’s provincial marketing boardpredicts the overall 2007 harvest will stillyield a record $200 million plus in sales.Charles Felix Ross, Secretary-General ofthe Fédération des producteurs acéricolesdu Québec said it will mark the secondconsecutive year that a below normal sizecrop sets a new sales mark after the 2006harvest sold for the previous high of $180million.

Even though a recent survey of thefederation’s 7 300 maple production farmoperators calculated a yield of 61.7 millionlbs (1 lb = 0.45 kg), a 10 percent drop fromlast year, there is an equal percentageincrease in sales and exports. Ross creditsstronger promotions domestically andgrowing interest in the health benefits ofmaple syrup south of the border for theproduct’s increasing popularity.

An average crop is 78 to 80 million pounds,while a bumper crop is 100 million pounds,so Ross called this year’s yield very small.

Quebec accounts for 93 percent ofCanada’s maple syrup and produces 80percent of the world’s supply, 60 percent ofwhich is consumed in the United States ofAmerica. About 2 000 maple farmoperators produce 80 percent of Quebec’smaple syrup. (Source: Montreal Gazette, 17July 2007.)

COSTA RICA

Manejo y conservación de Ryania speciosaen el trópico húmedo de Costa Rica Ryania speciosa Vahl, es un arbusto de laFamilia Flacourtiaceae; constituye uno delos muchos productos forestales nomadereros (PFNM) de América tropical quees objeto de comercio en el mercadointernacional.

Es propio de los bosques tropicales enAmérica, generalmente se encuentra aorilla de ríos en bosques primarios y la

distribución va desde Nicaragua, CostaRica, Panamá, Trinidad, Venezuela,Colombia, Ecuador, hasta Perú y Brasil.

Una investigación realizada por elCentro Agronómico Tropical deInvestigación y Enseñanza (CATIE)determinó su presencia en los bosqueshúmedos de Costa Rica. El estudioetnobotánico realizado en 1989 mostró eluso tradicional por parte de un gruponativo de la etnia Bribri, establecido enTalamanca, Costa Rica, quienes emplean lamadera en la construcción de viviendas porsu resistencia al comején, lo que determinasu empleo milenario por parte de lascomunidades nativas de América.

La presencia de ingredientes químicos,tipo alcaloide en la madera y hojas cuyosprincipales componentes son ryanodina(C25H35NO9); 9, 21-didehydroryanodina,contribuyó a que se emplee desde el siglopasado en Europa y Estados Unidos para elcontrol de plagas en la agricultura.

Dada su importancia económica en elcontrol de plagas en la agricultura y elaprovechamiento comercial de su madera,condujo al CATIE a realizar investigacionesenfocadas a su manejo sostenible dentrodel Proyecto de Conservación y DesarrolloSustentable para América Central.

Los resultados de la ejecución deestudios ecológicos condujo a determinarque R. speciosa es una especie esciófitapor su característica de crecer ydesarrollarse a la sombra del dosel delbosque y presentar madera dura. Ladistribución de las poblaciones silvestrespresenta un patrón espacial agregadoúnicamente para los brinzales, siendo paralos latizales el patrón al azar y para lapoblación total un patrón agregado en elbosque húmedo tropical de Costa Rica, conuna densidad de poblaciones silvestres dehasta 874 ind/ha y capacidad de rebroteposterior a su cosecha.

El auge de la agricultura orgánica haconducido a un mayor aprovechamiento delos PFNM como sucede con Quassia amara(Familia Simaroubaceae), R. speciosa,situación que está provocandovulnerabilidad en poblaciones silvestres,como respuesta se han implementadoinvestigaciones para el manejo depoblaciones silvestres y acciones dedomesticación en Costa Rica.

En la actualidad, el abastecimiento de lamateria prima (madera) de Ryania para elmercado internacional proviene de Trinidady Tabago. El principal importador es Italia yEstados Unidos de América. En América

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existen productos comerciales en EstadosUnidos y Argentina.

Por esta razón Bougainvillea ExtractosNaturales, empresa establecida en CostaRica realiza acciones de manejo depoblaciones naturales y domesticación con laparticipación de agricultores dueños debosques para su comercialización comobiopesticida en forma de extractoestandarizado en el control de mariposas.(Aportación hecha por: Rafael A Ocampo S.,Jardín Agroecológico Bougainvillea.Apartado Postal 764-3100. Santo Domingo,Heredía, Costa Rica. Correo electrónico:[email protected]; www.bioextractos.com)

Costa Rica and the United States ofAmerica swap debt for natureCosta Rica and the United States havesigned an agreement to swap US$26million of Costa Rican debt for funds toprotect more than 1 000 acres(approximately 404.7 ha) of tropical forest.The move will protect biodiversity in theregion and help thousands of indigenouspeople to maintain sustainable livelihoods.

The two countries made the agreementthis month (October), with Costa Ricaagreeing to spend the swapped amount onforest conservation over the next 16 years.The United States of America will contribute$12.6 million, with the environmentprotection organizations The NatureConservancy and ConservationInternational each providing $1.26 million.

Six areas have been designated forprotection, based on a scientific analysis todetermine gaps in forest protection, saysZdenka Piskulich, director of The NatureConservancy in Costa Rica. The swap willtarget forest protection in some of CostaRica’s best known biodiversity hotspots,such as Tortuguero, a system of naturalwaterways near the Caribbean Sea. The areasurrounding the Rincón de la Vieja volcano,home to over 300 species of birds, and theOsa Peninsula, home to 2.5 percent of theworld’s animal and plant species, will alsobenefit, together with ecosystems in theAmistad region, which contains 90 percent ofCosta Rica’s known plant species.

Piskulich said in a press release that thefunding will also allow indigenouscommunities, many of whom live in theAmistad region, “to pursue sustainable andeconomically viable livelihoods, thusimproving their lives and sustaining thediverse biological resources on which theydepend”. (Source: SciDev.Net, 24 October2007.)

CZECH REPUBLIC

A new season begins for Czech mushroompickers Twenty-six million kilograms ofmushrooms – that’s how much Czechspicked in the forests across the country in2006. According to a survey carried out bythe University of Agriculture, an averageCzech family collected about 8 kg ofmushrooms last year. It seems thatmushroom-picking remains one of themost popular Czech pastimes.

One proof of the continuing popularity ofmushroom-picking is the number ofmushroom-devoted Web pages providingdetailed information about the currentsituation in different areas of the CzechRepublic. You can even download a so-called “myco-map” – a map indicating theoccurrence of individual mushroom speciesin different regions. (Source: Radio Prague[Czech Republic], 17 August 2007.)

EGYPT

Wild aromatic, culinary and medicinalplants of Egypt Egypt is characterized by a variety ofclimatic and environmental conditions thathave helped in the distribution of numerouswild aromatic and medicinal plants aroundthe country. These plants have been usedfor various therapeutic and economicpurposes throughout history and are nowreceiving increased interest in Egypt andelsewhere.

Great efforts are being made to increaseawareness of aromatic and medicinal plantproducts in Egypt and to strengthennational collaboration between the regionaldesert areas. Accordingly, the Aromaticand Medicinal Plants Department, DesertResearch Center (DRC), in collaborationwith FAO, invited local communities, privateenterprises and other socio-economicactors involved in collecting, processing,trading, marketing and sustaining of wild

aromatic and medicinal plants to attend astakeholders’ workshop in early September2007 to discuss the wild aromatic, culinaryand medicinal plants of Egypt.

The specific objectives of the workshopwere to gain a better insight into thepresent resource situation and utilizationstatus of medicinal, culinary and aromaticplants in Egypt, their potential, and theproblems and issues to be addressed fortheir sustainable development; and identifyand propose priorities for action at variouslevels and programmes and projects tosupport national/regional efforts forresource conservation and sustainabledevelopment of these products in thecountry.

The focus of the workshop was onaromatic and medicinal plants gatheredfrom wild sources (such as on forest and/orrangelands) in the Egyptian desert, so as todifferentiate these products from thoseobtained as agriculture cash crops (onirrigated lands).

The workshop provided a usefuloverview of the specific characteristics ofmedicinal, culinary and aromatic plantsand their resource/utilization status inEgypt. The outcome of the workshop waspresented and discussed in plenary until anagreement by consensus was reached onall recommendations. At the closingsession, a proposed project with the keyrecommendations (“Survey, sustainabilityand conservation of the wild aromatic andmedicinal plants in Egypt: protecting theirgenetic resources and evaluating theireconomic values”) was introduced by thechairman of the workshop Prof. Dr InasAbd El Moati Tolba, Professor of Ecologyand Phytochemistry, Head of the Aromaticand Medicinal Plants Department, DRC.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Prof. Dr Inas A. Tolba, Head of the Aromatic andMedicinal Plants Department, Desert ResearchCenter, PO Box 11753, Cairo, Egypt. Fax: 0226357858; 02 2 6370788; e-mail: [email protected]

FINLAND

Reindeer ecotourismHalf of our income comes from reindeerhusbandry, half from reindeer tourism,says reindeer herder and entrepreneurAnssi Kiiskinen. “The ultimate reason tobranch into tourism was to increase ourincome from reindeer, so they would

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provide for us.” Kiiskinen says that theincome from reindeer meat is not enoughto offset the costs of the increasinglymechanized reindeer husbandry. That iswhy he and his uncle set up a joint reindeertourism enterprise, the Kopara reindeerfarm, on the flanks of the Pyhätunturi Fellin Lapland.

In the Kiiskinens’ business, reindeerherding and reindeer tourism complementone another. In reindeer herding, thebusiest seasons are spring and autumn,and in tourism summer and winter. Themeat from the herd of reindeer is served asappetizing dishes in the farm restaurant.During winter the customers are offeredreindeer safaris, usually consisting of a fewhours’ ride across the snowy wilderness ina reindeer-drawn sleigh. Kiiskinen has 40reindeer trained for the purpose. Insummertime, visitors can walk the“reindeer trail” which provides informationabout reindeer and reindeer husbandry –and feed the reindeer themselves.

The last five years have been a time ofinvestments in the enterprise. Each year,the turnover has grown by 20 percent.

The assets of Kiiskinen’s firm consist ofreindeer, ideas, enthusiasm, labour andcustomer contacts. But not the land. Thebuildings and the reindeer enclosures arebuilt on land rented from the state-ownedforestry enterprise Metsähallitus. Theroutes of the reindeer safaris run incommercial forests managed byMetsähallitus. This is frequently the case innorthern Finland. According to PerttiSarajärvi, Land Use and EnvironmentManager for Metsähallitus in easternLapland, tourism supports Metsähallitus’soperations. “Tourism helps to keep thearea inhabited and so ensures potentialemployees for us.” (Source: Krista Kimmo,Pelkosenniemi, Finnish Forest AssociationWeb site, 4 October 2007.)

INDIA

Tackling poverty through internationaltrade of forest products: a case study ofCassia tora Cassia tora, commonly known as tora,sickle senna, sickle pod, coffee pod, tovara,chakvad and foetid cassia, is a wild weedcrop growing luxuriously in some parts ofIndia, including Madhya Pradesh, duringthe period October to February.

A natural gelling agent that hasindustrial and food applications is madefrom the seed. The primary chemicalconstituents of the seed includecinnamaldehyde, gum, tannins, mannitol,coumarins and essential oils (aldehydes,eugenol and pinene); it also containssugars, resins and mucilage, among otherconstituents.

Cassia tora has many uses. It is used asa natural pesticide in organic farms;roasted seeds are substituted for coffee; itspowder is most popularly used in the petfood industry; it is mixed with guar gum foruse in mining and other industrialapplications; its seeds and leaves are usedto treat skin disease; and its seeds act as alaxative. This weed could also become areliable cheap supply of nutritious fodderfor Ctenopharyngodon idella, a fast-growing exotic carp.

Cassia tora tea is a herbal, pure, natural,non-polluted green health beverage. In theRepublic of Korea, it is believed to refreshhuman vision. Moreover, the tea hascreated a new term “coffee-tea”, becauseof its mysterious but very rich taste and itscoffee aroma. It is made from 100 percentCassia tora, with no artificial colouring andno caffeine, and could be a great substitutefor coffee and sodas.

The edible part of the plant varies from30 to 40 percent. Because of its externalgermicide and antiparasitic character, ithas been used for treating skin diseasessuch as leprosy, ringworm, itching andpsoriasis and also for snakebites.Galactomannans from Cassia tora (CT-gum), after proper processing andchemical derivatization, could function as abetter and more economical thickener thanlocust bean gum for textiles, because of thelatter’s current high price ($18/kg) andlimited availability.

Most of the CT-gum processing plants inIndia are located in Gujarat state becauseof the availability of Cassia tora beans inthe neighbouring states, but thewidespread use of these beans as

vegetables and seeds as cattle feed havebeen pushing up the raw material cost forthe CT-gum industry. The total installedcapacity in the country is 0.2 million tonnesfor splits and 59 000 for powder based onCassia tora seeds. The capacity utilizationin the industry has been around 70 percentfor the last three years.

Apart from domestic consumption, thereare now significant exports of cassiapowder of international standard to variouscountries, such as the United States ofAmerica, Australia, Germany, France,Spain, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands,Belgium, New Zealand, the UnitedKingdom, Singapore and Japan. The exportvalue of Cassia tora has been graduallyincreasing over the last five years. Detailedexport data revealed that Japan and theUnited Kingdom receive a regular supply,while the United States market fluctuates.However, the export growth rate of Cassiatora clearly shows the difference betweenquantity and value, which leads to a lowprice per unit price. (Contributed by: DrParag Dubey, Faculty of Forest ProductMarketing, Indian Institute of ForestManagement, PO Box 357, Nehru Nagar,Bhopal 462003, Madhya Pradesh, India. E-mail: [email protected])

Jharkhand: rich in NWFPs yet not fullytapped Jharkhand state was formed on 15November 2000 after its separation fromBihar state. Jharkhand literally meansforest and plateau. Its total geographicarea is 79 714 km2, 22 716 km2 of which isforest. It has 18 districts, eight of which aretribal. Tribals are an inseparable part offorests so they are given special rights andprivileges.

Previously this area was very rich inforests, but over time this has changed andnow most of the natural forest is in adegraded state and reduced (however,Asia’s famous Saranda Sal forest belongs tothis state). State population has increased(18.82 percent from 1991 to 2001) andaverage population growth rate is morethan the national average. This is animportant factor that has contributedsignificantly to the conversion of forest land.

In spite of this, Jharkhand is rich innatural resources. Its main NWFPsresources can be categorized as:

• kendu leaf (Diospyros melanoxylon),used as a smoking stick, locally calledbidi;

• sal seed, from which oil is extracted;

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• Terminalia bellerica, locally calledharnat, used in medicine; and

• Madhuca indica: its seed is used forextraction of oil, its flower in thepreparation of local wine and its leaf inthe preparation of a dish locally calleddonna patta.

Realizing the importance and potential ofNWFPs, in February 2002 Jharkhand’sMinistry of Environment formed JSVVNLimited, which is the sole agency for theauthorized collection and marketing ofNWFPs. JSVVN manages its NWFPcollection work through two circles, sixdivisions and 45 regional offices. In2002/2003, the net profit earned by JSVVNwas Rs773.345 lakhs, with Rs2 051.196being shared among the people engaged inNWFP collection, and it was able togenerate 31.56 lakh/workdays.

The collection of NWFPs is time -consuming work and delays in collection andmarketing cause losses. Kendu leaf and salseed collection starts in May and continuesup to the first week of June. During thisperiod poor rural and tribal people do nothave any work in their agriculture fields orelsewhere and so JSVVN provides them withemployment. In this way, they earn money(kendu leaf collection generates 31–32lakh/workdays) and also eliminate theintermediaries. Therefore, NWFPs can haveenormous scope in the state and are both agood source of revenue for the stategovernment and a source of income for ruraland tribal people.

The state has another opportunity tostrengthen the NWFP area by raisingbamboo and medicinal plants, both of whichcould generate income and employment forthe state. (Contributed by: S.K. Singh,Forest Survey of India, Kaulagarh Road, PO-IPE, Dehra Dun 248195, Uttaranchal, India.E-mail: [email protected])

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAP)certification – its importance andrelevance in an Indian background The importance of good collectionpractices, storage and maintenance inmedicinal plants has been felt from timeimmemorial. The rich traditional Ayurvedicheritage and folklore practices in Indiareflect the understanding of the ancientsregarding the sustainable utilization ofnatural resources. However, with themassive expansion of the medicinal plantbusiness as well as changing socio-economic conditions, rapid depletion ofnatural resources and diverse sociocultural

practices, it has been felt that there shouldbe national-level guidelines for wildcollection of medicinal plants. Theseguidelines should be in parity withinternational norms and regulations aswell as satisfying Indian demands.

In view of these increasing demands, theInternational Centre for CommunityForestry (ICCF) at the Indian Institute ofForest Management (IIFM) has started aMAP certification project sponsored by theNational Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB).This project is designed to:

• evaluate the potential for MAPcertification in an Indian context;

• create awareness among gatherers,foresters and other stakeholdersabout MAP certification and itsimplication for sustainablemanagement of wild MAP resources;

• document and analyse currentpractices in the MAP sector in the lightof certification requirements;

• develop national-level genericstandards for MAP certification, withspecial emphasis on raw materialcollection to marketing; and

• establish demonstration plots to testthe sustainable collection conceptsthrough a participatory approach andinformation dissemination.

Four states were selected for the pilotstudy (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissaand Uttarakhand) based on their MAPresource richness, livelihood dependenceand available institutional framework.Important steps have already been taken forthe implementation of the project, e.g. fieldsurveys, interviews with multiplestakeholders and local- and regional-levelconsultations/meetings with socialorganizations. A draft standard has beenprepared in the light of current internationallyavailable standards, as well as socio-economic parameters relevant to the Indianscenario. The parameters/ statements of thedraft standard are under evaluation with stateexisting practices. Thrust areas of the studyinclude legal and policy framework, wild areaconservation and sustainable management,responsible collection practices, economicdevelopment and benefit sharing.

A comparative analysis of the availableinformation based on the above-mentionedissues reflects prominent differences inpolicy-level interventions and socialunderstanding of MAP resourcemanagement, as well as conservationmeasures. Further study and research aretaking place to make the draft more flexible

and acceptable to the diverse MAP sectorsin India. (Contributed by: Dr ProdyutBhattacharya, International Centre forCommunity Forestry (ICCF), Indian Instituteof Forest Management (IIFM), PO Box 357,Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462003, MadhyaPradesh, India. Fax: +91-755-2772878; e-mail: [email protected])

Medicinal plants of the KashmirHimalayasMedicinal plants have assumed asignificant importance in the recent pastowing to the growing appreciation ofhuman health care through herbalmedicines. The Kashmir Himalayas housea diverse variety of plants of medicinalvalue. A recent paper (Traditionalmedicine: some plants of the KashmirHimalayas) by Gulzar Ahmad Sheergojri,Nelofar Lolapuri and Efath Shahnazpresents the results of a survey carried outin 2006 and discusses some of themedicinal plants identified and theirimportance in traditional medicine.

The Kashmir Himalayas – thenorthwestern region of the Himalayas –represent a rich repository of diverse plantspecies that have been used by the locals totreat their ailments since time immemorial.They have also served as an importantsource of raw material for variouspharmaceutical units. About 28 percent ofall the plants on Earth have been used forcuring various human ailments. Nearly 40percent of the known medicinal plants of theKashmir Himalayas are used in the Indianpharmaceutical industry alone. Globalimports of medicinal plants increased fromUS$335 million in 1976 to $551 million in1980. However, non-judicious exploitation,habitat destruction and the absence ofcultivation programmes have put atremendous pressure on these greendispensaries, especially in developing andunderdeveloped countries. Furthermore,



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poor infrastructure and scarcity of funds indeveloping states such as Jammu andKashmir have made these plants vulnerableto biopiracy.

Consequently, the authors carried out asurvey to underline the importance of someof the plants of the Kashmir Himalayas intraditional medicine so that adequatemeasures may be taken to save them.Information was collected on manymedicinal plants and their traditional useswere documented. The study revealed thatthese herbal medicines provide remediesfor a significant number of ailments,especially in remote areas where healthcare facilities are meagre. A comprehensivestrategy for the conservation anddevelopment of these medicines would notonly widen the forest-based economy, butalso provide important raw materials forimmunomodulation. (Contributed by:Gulzar Ahmad Sheergojri, M.Sc.(Agriculture), Sheri Kashmir University ofAgriculture Sciences and Technology, R/OInder Pulwama, J & K, India 192301. E-mail:[email protected])

KENYA

KEFRI wants ban on bamboo lifted The Kenya Forestry Research Institute(KEFRI) wants a ban on bamboo harvestinglifted to enable farmers to enter themultibillion Kenyan shilling global bambootrade currently dominated by China, Japanand Thailand. Samson Mogire, a bambooproduct expert at KEFRI, said they had sentfact finding missions to the Asian nations tolearn methods of sustainable exploitationof the forests.

The ban on bamboo harvesting wasimposed in 1989 by former President Moiand its use later restricted to select publicinstitutions. KEFRI said the fear ofoverexploitation that led to the impositionof the ban no longer held, since the plant

had rejuvenated into extensive bambooforest cover. To mitigate against possibleoverexploitation, KEFRI is teaching farmershow to propagate the plant in centralKenya, with financing from the UnitedNations Development Programme.

A bamboo tree takes an average of threeyears to mature and is a good protector ofwater catchment areas. To increase thecommercial value of the tree, KEFRI istraining artisans on the use of bamboo inthe making of furniture and office fittings.

Locally, the tree does well in theAberdares, Olengurueni, Molo, WesternProvince and parts of the coast.

Despite the promising prospects,exploitation of bamboo still faces a numberof hurdles, including lack of awareness ofits potential among local communities.(Source: Business Daily Africa [Kenya], 26July 2007.)

Tribe of honey hunters fights extinction Kiangwe. The marginalization of Kenya’sBoni tribe, known for their unique traditionof whistling to birds that guide them tohoney, has raised fears that theirmellifluous song will soon be silenced.With little or no access to health care andother resources, the Boni’s ranks havesteadily dwindled and the tribe is now onthe verge of extinction.

The semi-nomadic Hamitic tribe nestledbetween the Indian Ocean and the Somaliborder in northeastern Kenya’s Lamudistrict numbers barely 4 000, comparedwith 25 000 half a century ago, according tothe Organization for the Development ofLamu Communities (ODLC).

“We depend entirely on nature for foodand medicine," said Nur Mohamed, a Boni.The central ingredient in the Boni’s diet ishoney, which they track down with the helpof birds – known by locals as mirsi andcommonly described as honey guides –who feed on wax and bee larvae. Thepeculiar species has been scientificallyproven to lead animals and humans to beenests. On a good day, the mirsi will noisilyalert the Boni by landing on a treeconcealing honey. The Boni then hack atthe tree trunk and smoke it up to numb thebees before retrieving the bounty.

Members of the hunter/gatherer tribealso eat wild fruits, roots and a variety ofgame – which they say has put them atodds with wildlife officials. “Nowadays, Ihunt secretly and I eat secretly. Otherwise,the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will beatus and arrest us," said Sadi Jumaa, who

wears a belt made of baobab bark.However, Mohamed Ali Baddi, who heads alocal development organization, says“Hunting is a way of life. For them, it is notpoaching. But for the KWS, they arepoachers.”

Some of the Boni’s other traditionalpractices are a far cry from modern life, forbetter or worse. “We know the herbs totreat malaria, stomach aches andsnakebites. But some of the herbs are toostrong for children. Sometimes they die,”Mohamed says. The nearest hospital to hisvillage of Kiangwe is several hours’ walkaway.

While they are keen to preserve theirancestral way of life, the Boni feel ignoredby the Kenyan Government, as do othertribes of honey hunters across the country.Kiangwe is a small village of 360inhabitants living in mud huts with nodispensary, no road, no running water andno shops. Residents say travelling vendorspass through on average twice yearly.“Maybe the government should come upwith a policy for a Boni reserve so that theycan preserve their culture,” said OmarAliyoo, one of two Boni tribesmen to sit onthe local municipal council. “Our way of lifeis disappearing. There is a danger that theBoni people will disappear.” (Source:Independent Online [South Africa], 10 July2007.)

LEBANON

Illegal imports undercut local pine nuts Chouf. Lebanon’s pine nut cultivatorsdenounced the government’s lack ofinterest in putting an end to the illegalimporting of pine nuts, saying they facethreats to their businesses as a result ofthe invasion of Turkish and Chinese pineseeds into the local market. Consequently,the problems of cultivators eased over thelast three years following the government’sdecision to halt imports in an attempt tocultivate the local market. The Syndicate ofPine Nut Cultivators, however, recentlydiscovered that several dealers have beenillegally given licences to import the nuts.Cultivators in the Chouf, Jezzine, Metn andAley are therefore facing a problem thoughtsolved just a few years back.

“The cultivation of pine trees is a reallycostly business,” said cultivator AbdullahHassan. “The cost of the harvest is veryhigh and therefore the price of pine seedsis relatively high. However, with the market

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flooded with imported pine seeds, ourbusiness might collapse at any moment.”

Pine trees are abundant across Lebanonand have also long been considered as atourist attraction and an economicresource. However, cultivators fear pinetrees will not be cared for as much asbefore because of the smuggling,endangering pine tree woods in the country.

“We need to find a solution to the currentsituation by forbidding the illegal import ofpine seeds, especially since pine seeds are abasic ingredient of Arab sweets,” saidAhmad Awar, a cultivator. “But unfortunatelythe owners of such sweet shops do not careabout quality and prefer using the cheaperimported seeds instead of the finelyharvested Lebanese pine seeds.” (Source:Daily Star [Lebanon], 5 July 2007.)

LIBERIA

Promoting ecotourism Conservation International (CI), an NGOworking in Liberia since 2002, hasdeveloped a scheme to bring tourists intothe country. Russell A. Mittermeier,President of CI, has been discussing withtop government officials on how the forestsof Liberia can be conserved and used tomake a profit for the country. MrMittermeier said that Liberia’s forests arein a “hotspot”, i.e. “an area where most ofthe animal species that live there cannot befound anywhere in the world. This means itis the most important spot in the WestAfrican region”.

He said an ecotourist would be willing topay up to US$500 to visit Liberia’s naturalwildlife and see at first hand how theseanimals live in the wild. (Source: TheInquirer [Monrovia], 23 August 2007.)

MADAGASCAR

Beekeeping, poverty alleviation and forestconservation in Imadiala Beekeeping is an important source oflivelihood in Imadiala, an easternsubdistrict of Ambositra. However, in spiteof the efforts made by beekeepers andnumerous organizations to improvebeekeeping in the region, the negativeeffect of deforestation on beekeepers’activities is increasing.

Approximately 90 percent of Madagascar’sflora and fauna is endemic. Eleven millionhectares (20 percent of Madagascar’s

surface area) are forest and 350 000 ha areEucalyptus species and pine plantations.However, loss of species, including thedecrease of honey bee populations on theisland, is closely related to the loss of forests.

In September 2003, President MarcRavalomanana committed to increasingprotected areas in Madagascar from 1.7 million to 6 million ha by 2008. NowMadagascar is attempting to reducepoverty and increase the areas underconservation. Beekeeping has the potentialto play an important role in theseprocesses, both for poverty alleviation andthe conservation of natural environments.

The remaining natural resources and thewillingness of beekeepers to improve theiractivities make beekeeping possible on alarge scale in Ambositra. However,Imadiala, which is the most advantagedbeekeeping area in the whole region, hassuffered serious deforestation by fellingtrees to make planks, charcoal andsculptures or to make space for cultivation,causing severe negative effects forbeekeeping. This process is ongoing andforest degradation remains one of themajor problems for beekeeping, honeyhunting and swarm catching in Imadiala.(Source: Bees for Development Journal,Issue 84, September 2007.)

MALAWI

Miombo woodlands In her recent short essay, Miombowoodlands and rural livelihoods in Malawi,Janet Lowore cites a study of 36 farminghouseholds which revealed that during aperiod of 25 months, local people collected37 different species of leaf vegetables, twospecies of root vegetables, 21 of fruit, 23 ofmushroom and 14 of caterpillar.

Between 1946 and 1996, Malawi lost 2.5million ha of woodland, most of which wasconverted into farmland. The loss ofwoodland means many things for local

people. Women must walk further andspend more time searching for firewood.Households have to buy wood forconstruction, and as a substitute for treefibres they must buy sisal or use the wirefrom old car tyres. Without the forest, theymust also go without wild game,caterpillars, medicinal plants, fruits andmany other things.

Lowore stresses that it is impossible tocome up with a simple blueprint ofrecommendations for improving dry-forestmanagement. However, her study confirmsthat Malawi’s miombo woodlands are vitallyimportant, both as a resource that satisfiesthe subsistence needs of the rural poor,and for the many environmental benefitsthat they provide. (Source: Building onsuccess. Center for International ForestryResearch (CIFOR) Annual Report 2006.http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/AReports/AR2006.pdf)

MALAYSIA

Malaysia is taking steps to ensure thattrade in gaharu is sustainable Gaharu, the aromatic resin from Aquilariatrees, was previously regarded as worthlesswoodchips but authorities are fast realizingits value and are tightening the relevantregulations. States in Peninsular Malaysiahave been told to keep a close eye onextraction of the heartwood by emphasizingenforcement of Section 15 of the NationalForestry Act 1984, which requires anyremoval of the valuable product to beaccompanied by a removal pass.

The latest move by Peninsular MalaysiaForestry Department is to develop auniform grading system for the fragrantresin. Deputy director-general (planningand development) Datuk Dahlan Taha saysthe absence of a standardized grade hashampered administration and regulation ofthis NTFP. “The 10 percent royalty paymentis currently based on weight and not onquality. The government is losing out onrevenue collection. Hence, we organized aworkshop in June and produced a gradingsystem. We are recommending fourgrades: A Super, A, B and C,” says Dahlan.

He is also encouraging all states to payattention to this NWFP, which is coveted byboth local and foreign poachers. He claimsthat greater awareness has led to betterprotection of the heartwood against illegalcollection, as indicated by zero arrests inthe last two years.

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The department is also directingreplanting of gaharu species in loggedproduction forests. So far, 215 ha havebeen planted. The oldest is a four-year-oldplot in Kelantan. The lure of the highlypriced resin has also promoted commercialplanting of the species as well as researchinto artificial inoculation of the stem. In thewild, a gaharu tree produces the resin as abiological response to contain infectionfrom bacteria, fungi and pathogens. Theresin covers wounded areas and blackensthe whitish heartwood to produce gaharu.

Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, gaharu isbeing introduced as a potential income-generating crop to be planted alongsidevegetable farms in agroforestryprogrammes. Meanwhile, the government iscapping export of gaharu, internationallyknown as agarwood, at 200 tonnes this year.

In 2004, all eight Aquilaria species and aspecies of Gyrinops that also producesaromatic resins were included in AppendixII of the Convention on International Tradein Endangered Species of Wild Fauna andFlora (CITES) to ensure survival of thespecies in the wild. A listing in Appendix IIsubjects trade in the species to the CITESpermit system that covers export, importand re-export. However, oil products fromgaharu still escape CITES scrutiny becauseof its exclusion from the Customs exportprohibition order. The Customs and ExciseDepartment is in the final stage ofamending the order to control the export ofprocessed gaharu in oil form.

As high-grade agarwood becomesscarce, local collectors are resorting toprocessing lower-grade woodchips into oilto increase their profit margins. Gaharudistillation plants have sprouted in severalparts of the country. Although states in thepeninsula are trying to monitor the amountof extraction through its licensing scheme,it is believed that various amounts areslipping through the cracks and theseunspecified volumes are turned into oilproducts that elude the CITES permit andthe government taxation system. Hence,accuracy of the official extraction volume isdoubtful.

While the export loophole is likely to beplugged soon, a similar effort was notmade simultaneously to address the issueof import. The Customs import prohibitionorder does not cover gaharu oil products.Therefore, the Malaysian Timber IndustryBoard (MTIB) has not issued any CITESimport or re-export permits to date.(Source: Malaysia Star, 31 July 2007.)

MAURITANIE

Les PFNL en Mauritanie La Mauritanie pays désertique membre duSahel et Maghreb dispose d’une couverturevégétale non négligeable sous forme desavanes arbustives ou de savanesherbeuses.

Les principaux produits forestiers nonligneux (PFNL) de la Mauritanie sont lesplantes alimentaires (par exemple Adansoniadigitata et Zyzyphus mauritiana), les plantesfourragères (Acacia spp.), les gommes(Acacia senegal) et les plantes médicinales(par exemple Acacia albida, Balanitesaegyptiaca et Salvadora persica). Les PFNLde moindre importance au niveausocioéconomique sont les colorants (Acaciaseyal, Anogeissus leiocarpus), les tannins(Acacia nilotica), les produits cosmétiques,les outils et les résines.

Les PFNL ont une importance particulièreen Mauritanie dans la mesure où ilscontribuent à la nourriture humaine et aufourrage pour les animaux. Ils sontégalement utilisés pour des soins par lestradipraticiens, dans la cosmétologie, dans laconstruction et chez les artisans maiségalement comme boisson. Parmi les PFNLen Mauritanie, seule la gomme arabique faitl’objet d’importantes activités commercialesstructurées.Nourriture: Les arbres produisant des fruitscomestibles incluent Boscia senegalensis,Balanites aegyptiaca, Adansonia digitata,Zizyphus mauritiana et Sclerocarya birrea.Les fruits de Sclerocarya birrea font l’objetd’un commerce local. La pulpe des fruits,riche en alcool, est fermentée et transforméeen bière. Du fruit, on peut faire des jus et desconfitures. L’amande du noyau deSclerocarya birrea contient des matièresgrasses et beaucoup de vitamine C. Elledonne aussi une huile comestible. Lesgraines de Boscia senegalensis donnent uneexcellente farine pour la fabrication desrepas. En outre, on consomme l’albumen des

graines et les feuilles d’Adansonia digitata.Fourrage: les plantes fourragèresimportantes sont Acacia albida, Acaciaraddiana, Acacia nilotica, Acacia senegal,Acacia seyal, Boscia senegalensis, Balanitesaegyptiaca et Prosopis juliflora. Ces plantesfournissent des feuilles, de jeunes rameaux,des gousses et l’écorce qui constituent desfourrages pour les moutons, les chèvres, lesdromadaires et les chameaux.Médecine: les écorces, les graines, lesfeuilles, les racines, les fruits et les branchesd’Adansonia digitata, Acacia albida, Acacianilotica, Boscia senegalensis, Balanitesaegyptiaca, Anogeissus leiocarpus,Salvadora persica, Commiphora africana,Prosopis juliflora et de Sclerocarya birreasont utilisés pour le traitement des maladiesvariées telles que le rhume, la grippe, lesmaux de dents, les hémorroïdes, lesdouleurs rhumatismales, l’impuissancesexuelle, le diabète, l’asthme et autrescomplications respiratoires, la fièvre, ladiarrhée, la fatigue générale, etc.Parfums et cosmétiques: les racines deBalanites aegyptiaca rentrent dans lafabrication du savon.Colorants et tannins: les fruits d’Acacianilotica constituent le principal produit detannage chez les cordonniers. L’écorced’Acacia seyal fournit une teinture rouge quisert à teindre les vêtements. Les feuilles etl’écorce d’Anogeissus leiocarpus fournissentune teinture jaune pour les peaux et lestissus.Ustensiles, artisanat et matériaux deconstruction: l’écorce du tronc d’Adansoniadigitata fournit également des fibres utiliséespour tisser les nattes et confectionner lescordes. Le tégument d’Acacia senegal estutilisé pour la fabrication des cordes. Lemacéré du fruit de Balanites aegyptiaca estichtyotoxique (poison à poisson).Exsudats: la gomme, exsudant du troncd’Acacia nilotica, sert à fabriquer uneboisson rafraîchissante. La gomme arabiqueest fournie par l’Acacia senegal. L’exsudationest causée par des fentes dues à lasécheresse et des blessures. Quatre-vingt-dix pour cent de la production de la gommearabique est commercialisée. L’Acacia seyalest une gomme arabique de qualitéinférieure. La résine de Commiphoraafricana est utilisée comme encens, parfumet insecticide.

Malgré le rôle important que jouent lesPFNL en Mauritanie, la filière économiquedes PFNL généralement très confinée dansl’informel demeure peu développée. La filièreéconomique des PFNL nécessite une

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valorisation et un développement. L’Etat doit,en collaboration avec la FAO et les autrespartenaires de développement, sensibiliserles populations sur l’importance des produitset surtout des coopératives féminines enmilieu rural.

En effet la promotion, la gestion et ledéveloppement des PFNL pourraientpermettre de réaliser une importante activitégénératrice de revenus pour les femmesrurales. Cela pourrait aider à la réalisationde certains objectifs clés des OMD: réduirel’extrême pauvreté et la faim, promouvoir legenre et le développement et protégerl’environnement. (Source: Gestionparticipative et développement des produitsforestiers non ligneux comme moyen deréduction de la pauvreté des femmesrurales: cas du Maghreb et du Sahel parMme Hawa War, Volontaire, FAO, Le Caire.)

POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS CONTACTER: Pape Djiby Koné, Forestier principal, Bureaurégional de la FAO pour le Proche-Orient,PO Box 2223, le Caire, Egypte. Courriel:[email protected]

MEXICO

Mexican palm fronds for the United Statesfloral industry: opportunities and threats A recent study on the camedora palm(Chamaedorea elegans, C. concolor, C.oblongata) was undertaken in twoindigenous Chinantec communities locatedin the river basin of Papaloapan, on theAtlantic slope of the Sierra Norte, Oaxaca,situated some 300 km from the city ofOaxaca. Both communities are situated inisolated mountainous locations, withlimited access to the nearest road.

The camedora palm, also known as xate,represents a set of species that belongs tothe genus Chamaedorea and dominatesthe herbaceous field layer of montaneforests. Access to the resource is relativelyequitable, since it is largely collected from

communal land with free access. However,over the last ten years, distances to harvestsites have increased to three hours’ walkbecause of land conversion for maize andcoffee, and as a result of overexploitation ofthe palm.

The species reproduces easily via seed,requiring little light and possessing a hightolerance for humidity. For these reasons,several communities in the study area andother regions – Veracruz, Chiapas and SanLuis Potosí – have begun to domesticate viaunderstorey cultivation. When leaf fertilizeris applied in plantations, each plant can beharvested every three months. In the wild,peak harvesting, between April andOctober, follows the rains, when the qualityand quantity are most readily available fortwo to three cuts. Some camedora palmspecies are on the Mexican protectedspecies list and thus require an extractionpermit. However, because of the costinvolved in acquiring a permit, somecommunities cut leaves illegally and manyhave established small plantations.

The palm leaves are used fresh infloristry and have been exported from thehumid tropical regions of Mexico andCentral America since the 1940s. Mexico isthe leading world exporter of the leavesand seeds of different species of camedorapalm, predominantly to the United States. Itis estimated that the global production ofthis foliage currently meets only one-thirdof the international demand.

In Mexico, the leaves are used infloristry, wreaths and bouquets; astraditional adornments for Easter andPalm Sunday; as a fresh base for exhibitingproduce in supermarkets; and as gardenplants. The leaves are highly sought afterbecause once cut, they remain green for upto three weeks.

Market access for communities dependslargely on production capacity: commercialintermediaries are attracted to areaswhere there is sufficient volume to maketrade worthwhile. Many families have toovercome several obstacles to accessregional trade centres, including low-quality roads and lack of access forvehicles. Monte Tinta overcame this barrierby designating one community member topool together the leaves and transportthem, by donkey, to the road on the trader’sroute. In return the trader pays on time andcompensates for the costs of accidentsduring collection.

Because of the market demand for palmleaves, retailers need to work with a large

number of community suppliers. Theviability of this commercial activity and theability to obtain significant profits are aresult of traders sourcing from numerousproducer communities. In Chinantla, as inother regions of Mexico, six different actorsare involved in the commercialization ofpalm leaves. Men collect the foliage andwomen grade it, preparing bushels of 140leaves that sell for up to US$1.30 to a localstockist. A second actor transports theproduct to a regional wholesaler, whomanages a centre where he accumulates,grades, packs and sells the product towholesalers in Mexico City. Leaves are soldto the Mexican consumer at 12leaves/US$1, and sold on to a foreignbuyer, who retails them to the UnitedStates consumer at six leaves/US$1.

There are very few companies dedicatedto the export of palm in Mexico, owing tothe existence of a monopoly; the nationalmarket is concentrated in the hands of asingle successful entrepreneur who hadsufficient capital to invest in refrigeratedtransport and storage facilities. Thisindividual is the sole representative of theNorth American company that importscamedora. The existence of a singlecompany buying leaves makescommunities somewhat vulnerable. Thissingle buyer supplies half of the productfrom his own plantation. While this isimportant to maintain the value chainthroughout the year, it can also pose athreat to wild palm collectors who arerestricted mostly to cutting only a fewmonths in the year. Even though there issmall-scale domestication of camedorapalm in southern Mexico, these poorlyorganized communities are finding itdifficult to compete with the industrial-scale plantations being established in the United States – with seed exportedfrom the Chinantla region. (Source:extracted from Marshall, E.,Schreckenberg, K. & Newton, A.C., eds.2006. Commercialization of non-timberforest products: factors influencingsuccess. Lessons learned from Mexico andBolivia and policy implications for decision-makers. Cambridge, United Kingdom,UNEP World Conservation MonitoringCentre.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Elaine Marshall, Independent Consultant,Heywood House, Crawley End, Chrishall,Royston, Herts SG8 8QN, United Kingdom.E-mail: [email protected]

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MOROCCO

300 ha of argan trees to be reforested in thesouth of Morocco Essaouira (south). Some 300 ha of argantrees will be reforested in the south ofMorocco, under a cooperation agreementsigned in 2002 between Midi Pyreneesregions and the region of Marrakech-Tensift-El Haouz, revealed the Mohammed VFoundation for Research and Argan TreePreservation. The foundation, which held itsthird general assembly, underlinedachievements, mainly those pertaining to thenotion of the geographic indication, whichrepresents an important step in the processof the protection of the argan tree.

The foundation’s director-general, MsKatim Alaoui, noted that the agreement alsoprovides for the upgrading and marketing ofargan oil by women’s cooperatives.

This project aims at saving firewoodthrough the use of solar energy, with projectofficials estimating that the setting up of 500solar ovens will result in avoiding a loss of 50to 100 ha of argan trees per year.

Set up in May 2004, the foundation aims atguaranteeing a legal protection from argantree exploitation, promoting and protectingnatural equilibrium, improving the standardof living of the population working on argantrees and guaranteeing the quality of itsproducts.

A forest, fruit and fodder tree, the argantree covers currently some 870 000 ha, whichis around 10 percent of Morocco’s forestareas. (Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse[Morocco], 11 June 2007.)

NICARAGUA

Elementos de la legislación nacional sobreProductos Forestales no Madereros En Nicaragua, no está muy difundido elmanejo y aprovechamiento de los productosforestales no madereros (PFNM). Sinembargo, existe el aprovechamiento de estosrecursos en algunos departamentos como el

de río San Juan, Jinotega y las RegionesAutónomas del Atlántico.

No se cuenta con suficiente informaciónsobre volúmenes y valor comercializado deestos productos; se conoce su uso a nivelartesanal, en comunidades cercanas a losbosques o en zonas urbanas, y en general soncomercializados de manera informal. Laactividad productiva de estos productos hasido de carácter extractiva y los volúmenescomerciales no han representado un flujocomercial de importancia. En relación con suaprovechamiento, la Ley General del MedioAmbiente y los Recursos Naturales N°217/1996 establece que «para el uso yaprovechamiento de las áreas de producciónforestal de productos maderables y nomaderables, éstas deberán ser sometidas amanejo forestal con base sostenible, con laaplicación de métodos y tecnologíasapropiadas que garanticen un rendimientoóptimo» (Art. 100).

Por otro lado, a través del Acuerdo IRENA(Instituto Nicaragüense de RecursosNaturales y del Ambiente) del 1990, se creóel Centro de mejoramiento genético y bancode semillas forestales cuyo objetivosprincipales son: la protección de áreasforestales de interés científico, elmejoramiento genético de especies deimportancia económica y científica a travésde la instalación de viveros, huertossemilleros o clónales, tanto de latifoliadoscomo de coníferas, la recolección de semillaspara suministrar material genético óptimopara los proyectos de reforestación, así comopara el manejo sostenido de los bosques.

El Centro será el responsable degarantizar la calidad y pureza de las semillasforestales exportadas e importadas aNicaragua a través de controles fitosanitarios(Art. 1).

El Centro que goza de autonomíafinanciera, estará sujeto al control de unaauditoría externa nombrada por el IRENA(Art. 5) quien nombra también a su director(Art. 2).

En fin, el Decreto 50/2001 sobre la políticade desarrollo forestal de Nicaragua,actualmente modificado y en fase deaprobación por parte de la ComisiónNacional Forestal (CONAFOR), puntualizaque «se promoverá la diversificación demercados y productos, incluyendo mercadosa futuro, para mayor número de bienes yservicios provenientes del bosque y el apoyoen la inserción en los mercadosinternacionales. Además para ampliar yfortalecer los mercados, se promoverá através de incentivos el sometimiento

voluntario de bosques bajo manejo, a lacertificación forestal para garantizar unmanejo eficiente del mismo» (Art. 4).(Aportación hecha por Francesca FelicaniRobles, Consultora legal, FAO, Via delleTerme di Caracalla, Roma 00153, Italia.Correo electrónico:[email protected])

PAKISTAN

Indigenous use of non-timber forestproducts in the Kalash valley, Chitral The Kalash valley is located in the remotesouthwestern part of Chitral, an area ofunique cultural and biological diversity. Thenatural forest of the area mainly consists of

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A variety ofmushrooms/morels arefound in the Kalashvalley, includingMorchella esculenta, M.vulgaris, M. deliciosa and other morelssuch as oyster. Their local names arequchi, brangalu and shunti. Local peopleoften hide the place where they pickmushrooms. The Kalash community havetheir own indigenous knowledge formushroom collection; for example, it isbelieved that mushrooms often appearunder various trees such as Juglans regiaand Pinus wallichiana. Morels arecollected mostly for marketing purposes,but are sometimes also used as atraditional medicine or flavouring agent.

Morel collectors are usually poorvillagers who collect morels as their part-time activity besides farming andlivestock keeping. The collectors – 27percent women, 33 percent men and 40percent children – collect morels duringspring and early summer, from March toJuly, and sell them in the local market toearn a livelihood. Morel collection is ahectic job and requires a lot of physicalexertion, devotion and passion.Sometimes the collectors spend days inthe forest collecting morels. In most cases,they sell the morels in fresh form to thelocal Pathan dealers or in the markets ofChitral after drying the morels.

Morchella fetch high prices and thusplay an important role in the economy ofthe Kalash valley.

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pine (Pinus wallichiana), chlghoza (Pinusgerardiana), deodar (Cedrus deodara) andbroadleaf species such as oak (Quercusincana).

The forest of the whole Chitral district(including the Kalash valley) is estimated tobe 41 949 ha and is mainly used for timberextraction. The natural forest is under thecontrol of the Chitral Forest Department butvillagers have certain rights. Up to 25 000tonnes of forest wood are used annually asfuelwood. Almost 13 percent of thepopulation use the forest for generating theirfirst cash. Additionally 80 percent of localpeople are, in one way or the other,dependent on NTFPs.

Some of the important NTFPs in theKalash valley are wild mushrooms(Morchella esculenta, M. vulgaris, M.deliciosa), honey (Apis cerana), medicinalplants (Ferula narthex, Paeonia emodi, Inularecemosa), pine nuts (Pinus gerardiana) andsilk cocoons.

The people of this remote area rely ontheir indigenous knowledge to collect, packand dry these NTFPs and most of the localpeople are dependent on the products forincome generation.

A recent research paper by Ajaz Ahmedinvestigated the situation of NWFPs andsuggested future guidelines for properplanning and management.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Ajaz Ahmed, Directorate of Non-Timber ForestProduce, Forest Department, NWF Province,Peshawar, Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]

PARAGUAY

Sweet herb may begreen gold forParaguay Paraguay is hoping asmall herb that is nottrafficked, addictive,or even fattening,could prove to be the real thing that thefood industry has been waiting for.

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana bertoni) hasbeen used for centuries by the Guaraninative people to sweeten their drinks, sinceit is 300 times sweeter than sugar withnone of the calories. Now the 60-cm highshrub has caught the eye of Coca-Cola, andits small Latin American home is hopingthe cash tills will soon start ringing.

Coca-Cola and Cargill, one of the topUnited States food companies, recently

unveiled plans to make a stevia-basedsweetener under the trade name Rebiana.

And even though the herb is not yetauthorized for consumption in the UnitedStates and has only a limited use in theEuropean Union, it is already popular inAsia where China has planted thousands ofhectares of rural land with the shrub.

“World demand is enormous,” saidNelson Gonzalez, head of the SteviaChamber of Commerce, a trade group ofproducers under the aegis of Paraguay’sMinistry of Industry. “But the sugar lobbywants to stop the importation of thisnatural, safe, revolutionary product.”

Studies at the medical school at theUniversity of Asunción found that steviahad a long list of beneficial properties,being an antioxidant, anti-inflammatoryand an antibacterial agent useful in thebattle against diabetes, high bloodpressure and tooth decay. But it is finding ithard to shake off fears over carcinogenswhich have dogged its sister, chemicallymanufactured sweeteners, saccharin andaspartame.

In ten years, plantations of stevia, whichis native to northwest Paraguay, havegrown from 350 to 1 500 ha. Officials hopeto increase this figure tenfold over the nextfive years through cloning, which is moreeffective than planting the seeds. However,the largest producer of stevia is notParaguay, but China, which has 20 000 haunder cultivation.

Paraguay’s stevia pioneer, the companyEmporio Guarani, grows the plant andextracts the sweetener in its plant inLuque, 10 km outside Asunción, and is notworried by China’s influence on themarket. “The land of stevia is right here,”said manager Maria Teresa Aguilera,whose phone has not stopped ringing withcalls from companies around the globe,following Coca-Cola’s announcement.“Thanks to our climate, we can raise threecrops while China grows one,” she said.

Besides its claims to safety, stevia hasanother advantage over aspartame: it isstable to 200°C so it can be baked.

A kilogram of stevia crystals, extractedfrom 12 kg of leaf, is worth US$40 to $100,depending on its purity.

Knowing that Paraguay, half of whosesix million inhabitants live in poverty, maybe sitting on a gold mine, authorities arenow launching a bid to win internationalrecognition as the stevia plant’s country oforigin. (Source: Independent Online [SouthAfrica], 18 July 2007.)

PERU

Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) benefitsUnited States consumers and Peruvianeconomy Nine years after medicine hunter ChrisKilham took an exploratory trek to thePeruvian highlands, a treasured traditionalsuperfood called maca has entered theUnited States consumer mass market. NowWal-Mart has placed Medicine Hunter MacaStimulant® on the shelves of 3 480 stores,coast to coast.

According to ethnobotanist Kilham, who isExplorer in Residence at the University ofMassachusetts, “Maca is one of the greatestsuperfoods of all time and makes people feelvery good very quickly.”

Two thousand years ago, the legendarymaca root was valued as gold and traded ascurrency in the ancient Incan culture. Historybooks record Incan warriors eating it to attainfearsome prowess in battle.

A member of the mustard family, the plantgrows under the most inhospitableconditions, in poor “moonscape” soil wherethe air is thin and the sunlight and wind areextremely harsh. Local harvesters todaygrow maca for its medicinal root, which theyuse as a staple in their diet and exportworldwide as a mega-energy food and potentsex booster for both men and women.

In addition to the United States consumer,the beneficiaries of Kilham’s work are thePeruvian harvesters who can now earn adecent wage from cultivating maca, which isa better option than the gruelling, dangerousand low-paying toil of mining, their only othersource of income. (Source: ENN News, 27September 2007.)

PHILIPPINES

Establishment of a rattan plantation A Japan-based international agency hasprovided a financial grant to helpunderwrite the establishment of a rattanplantation in Mindanao. The plantation willbe set up at a government experimentalforest in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato,with the support of the InternationalTropical Timber Organization (ITTO). Thegrant was provided by ITTO to theDepartment of Environment and NaturalResources-Ecosystem Research andDevelopment Services (DENR-ERDS) inRegion 12 (central Mindanao).

Dr Bighani Manipula, acting regionaltechnical director for research of DENR-

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Region 12, said that the project will showcasethe rattan seedling technology developed bythe research sector and will employ thecommunity-based approach in managing theplantation. Immediate stakeholders will betapped as partners in developing, managingand protecting the plantation instead of justtreating them as “resource users andbeneficiaries”, Manipula said.

As an initial activity, the projectmanagement team recently met the localcommunity to brief them on the project.The stakeholders will also be taught aboutrattan production – from seed harvesting tonursery management and plantationdevelopment. The project is expected toenhance and rehabilitate the 30-ha teakand rubber plantation that DENR-ERDS setup in 1985. (Source: The Philippine Star, 5October 2007.)

The Bulacan Province aggressivelypromotes bamboo farming The Bulacan government has launched anaggressive campaign to boost the bambooindustry, especially targeting regions alongthe rivers.

Global demand for bamboo has suddenlysurged as its fibres can now be transformedinto cloth. Cultivating bamboo in test tubesnot only yields large amounts but has alsobeen perceived as an easier method.Researchers have developed innovativemeans of cultivation that result in swiftproduction of the plant. Bamboo hasgenerated curiosity in the textile industry; itsfibre has been recognized as both durableand soft and can also be produced at low cost.

Not only this, bamboo is one of the mostenvironmentally friendly products. Expertssay that bamboo releases almost 35 percentoxygen and helps purify the air. Plantationson riverbanks also help control floods.

Recognizing all the benefits, thegovernment is encouraging local people toindulge in bamboo farming. This will alsoprovide livelihoods in the domestichandicraft industry. (Source:Fibre2fashion.com [India], 29 August 2007.)

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Korean ginseng products receiverecognition as distinct food The Republic of Korea’s ginseng-derivedproducts have received initial recognition asdistinct foods by an international standard-setting commission, the Government said onSunday.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestrysaid that the Codex AlimentariusCommission (Codex) had approved foodstandards forwarded by the country on driedand liquid extracts of ginseng. The ministrysaid that the decision made by a gathering offood experts in Rome to pass the foodstandards for ginseng is positive for exports.The Republic of Korea considers the root ahealth food but some countries classify it asa medicinal substance. Medicinalsubstances operate under different importrules from ordinary food, which makestrading them more difficult.

The latest decision by Codex will beforwarded to member countries of theorganization for feedback. That feedbackand the initial review will then be examinedin detail by a subcommittee board before aninternational standard is established.(Source: Yonhap News [Seoul], 15 July 2007.)

SOUTH AFRICA

Recipe for making traditional “mukumbi”marula beer Marula beer is brewed from the fruits ofSclerocarya birrea. Drinking marula beeris a social and cultural event in SouthAfrican rural areas, and people gatherevery year to drink it.

Currently, commercialization of marulabeer is growing in most urban areas.People, especially women, sell the beer forincome generation. A litre costs R2 on theurban market.

Making the beer is a skill, but that skillcan be transferred to others. Thefollowings are simple steps on how to makemarula beer.

• Collect fallen Sclerocarya birrea fruitsand allow them to ripen fully at home.They will change their colour to yellow.

• Use a fork to remove the outer layerand squeeze it from side to side.

• Put only the juice and seeds in a 20-litre bucket, until it is about 15 litres.

• Add 5 litres of water to the bucket andpress down to mix with a woodenspoon.

• Remove the seeds by squeezing thejuice from them.

• Leave the juice in the bucket left forabout four days to ferment.

• Before drinking marula beer, the thickdangwa layer on the top must beremoved although some people drinkwith it to clean their digestive system.

• Sometimes the beer is preserved forseveral months in a big clay pot calledmvuvelo and then drunk as a fullymatured beer – lutanda.

(Contributed by: Rudzani Makhado, PO Box395, Council for Scientific and IndustrialResearch (CSIR), Pretoria 0001, SouthAfrica. Fax: 012 841 2689 or 0866179355; e-mail: [email protected])

Traditional medicine for HIV to go on trial Clinical trials to test a traditionalmedicine’s effectiveness in delaying theonset of AIDS in HIV-positive patients willbegin in South Africa within weeks,according to researchers.

Approximately 125 HIV-positive patientsat Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg inKwaZulu-Natal Province will take part intrials of the herb Sutherlandia frutescens,a well-known South African traditionalmedicine. The purpose of the trial will be totest the safety and effectiveness ofcapsules of Sutherlandia in patients newlydiagnosed with HIV. Results are expectedby August 2009. The research will beconducted by the South African universitiesof KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape,along with the Traditional Healers’Association of South Africa and theUniversity of Missouri in the United Statesof America.

Traditional healers use Sutherlandiafrutescens, sometimes known as “cancerbush”, to treat a host of ailments fromweight loss to aches and pains.Sutherlandia has several activeingredients, said Quinton Johnson, one ofthe study researchers and director of theInternational Centre for IndigenousPhytotherapy Studies at the University ofthe Western Cape. The plant containspinitol (a compound with antidiabeticproperties), canavine (used by traditionalhealers to treat wasting diseases such astuberculosis) and the amino acid GABA,which produces a feeling of well-being.

Nceba Gqaleni, Deputy Dean of theUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal’s Nelson R.Mandela School of Medicine, said this wasthe first collaboration between scientistsand traditional healers to assess the

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soon will result in the country being de-listed. If this happens, it will not only ruinthe country’s reputation and lose trust inthe EU market, which is still Uganda’slargest single exporting destination, but isalso frustrating in the efforts to eradicatepoverty.

Stakeholders are blaming thegovernment’s failure to help local farmersto access facilities that could help themharvest and produce the honey in a mannerthat is recommended by EU certificationstandards. For commercial purposes, asingle farmer may require up to USh4million to produce high-quality honey.

The trend in world supply has continuedto rise, but earnings have declined by aboutUS$20 million (USh35 billion). (Source: TheMonitor [Kampala], 3 October 2007.)

UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

Beekeeping in Umalila Beekeeping is an important secondaryindustry in Umalila. Many of thebeekeepers are elderly, however, andbeekeeping does not appear to beattractive to most young people. In addition,much of the original forest is in a degradedstate and is being gradually lost to loggingand cultivation.

As the forest has traditionally producedthe bulk of the honey, the future forbeekeeping is uncertain. This is more thanunfortunate for three reasons.

• Beekeeping could provide a usefulincome, particularly for young people,many of whom do not have access toland unless they hire it.

• Bees are important for the adequatepollination of crops such as passionfruit.

• It is traditional to site hives in areas offorest thus affording some protectionfor the remaining patches of

indigenous forest. One tree inparticular, impembati (Polyscias fulva),is frequently used and even plantedbecause of its branching habit and thusits suitability for the placement ofhives.

Beehives are traditionally constructedfrom iliogoti (Hagenia abyssinica) andIlangali (Euphorbia nyikae). Now they areusually made from Euphorbia nyikae andCupressus lusitanica.

The hives are approximately 1 m longand divided into two halves. These arebound together with a cord made fromisintu (Ipomoea involucrata) or othercreepers. Hives are always placed in trees,mainly to keep flying bees above peopleliving nearby or cultivating surroundingcrops; to catch the warmth of the early sun,particularly during the dry season when itcan be cold at over 2 000 m; and to providesome protection from pests. The two halvesof the hive are hauled up and assembledhigh in the tree and then covered over withbamboo sheaths, supported and held downwith sticks. The hive is baited withbeeswax, which is normally effective inattracting a colony to enter.

When harvesting honey, the beekeeperuses lit pieces of bamboo of ipekeso(Conyza bonariensis) stalks surrounded byigawo (Ensete ventricosum) wild bananaleaves to produce smoke, but he cannevertheless get badly stung. Sometimeshe will lower the hive to the ground wheretwo forked sticks are used to support thehive. Harvesting can then be carried outmore easily as most of the flying bees willreturn to the original hive site in the tree.Not all combs are taken during harvest.Some of the honey is left, together withbrood combs.

There is normally a small harvest at theend of June (up to 10 litres) but the mainharvest takes place in November andDecember when between 18 and 25 litrescan be collected.

Honey has a ready local market, mainlyeaten in the comb. Wax is sold separatelyfrom the honey and is used by localcarpenters and for shoe repairs. (Source:extracted from Latham, P. 2007. Plantsvisited by bees and other useful plants ofUmalila, Southern Tanzania.)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Paul Latham, Croft Cottage, Forneth,Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 6SW, Scotland, United Kingdom. E-mail:[email protected]

effectiveness of indigenous practices intreating such a serious health issue.

According to Sazi Mhlongo, Chairman ofthe Traditional Healers’ Association ofSouth Africa, the plant is “the mostpowerful of our herbs, which we mix withother herbs to treat a lot of differentproblems”. Mhlongo, who has practised asa traditional healer in KwaZulu-Natal for 34years, said traditional healers have becomeincreasingly aware of the herb’s success intreating HIV-positive patients. Patients whotook it “felt better”, he said. (Source:SciDev.Net, 4 September 2007.)

UGANDA

Uganda’s “sex tree” under threat The soaring demand for a tree which someUgandans believe can boost a man’s libidoand virility, may lead to its extinction,researchers warn. The most popular partof the slow growing Citropsis articulatatree, locally known as omuboro, is its roots.Ugandan lecturer Maude Mugisha says thismeans the whole tree is uprooted to satisfyconsumer needs.

Found mainly in forest reserves, thetree’s aphrodisiac qualities are yet to bescientifically proven.

The experts’ concern was revealedduring a symposium in the Ugandancapital, Kampala, on conserving andimproving the use of endemic plantspecies. A by-product of the tree wasactually on sale outside the conferencevenue. The vendor said he had beengrowing the tree himself and extracts apowder that is steeped in hot water anddrunk as a beverage.

It is said that the tree’s stimulatingeffects are only evident in men. (Source:BBC News [United Kingdom], 25 July 2007.)

Uganda risks losing EU honey deal It has been two and half years since theEuropean Union listed Uganda amongthose countries entitled to export honey butnot one single consignment has ever beensent. After listing, Uganda was given anopportunity to export 200 tonnes of honeyannually but this volume has never beenrealized, despite the good quality of thehoney present in the numerous tests andcertification procedures undertakencountrywide and verified in Germany.

The President of the Uganda NationalApiculture Development Organization(Tunado) is worried that failure to comply

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shrubs for fuel. This is mainly recorded inremote saxual forests in deserts far fromforestry enterprises and forest guards.(Source: United Nations EconomicCommission for Europe (UNECE)/FAO.2006. Forest and forest products countryprofile. Uzbekistan. Geneva Timber andForest Discussion Paper 45.EC/TIM/DP/45.)

VIET NAM

Salt-marsh forests threatened by illegaldigging for impotence-curing worms Increasing numbers of people are visitingthe Can Gio salt-marsh forest to dig for DiaSam (Sipunculus). According to Tran MinhLong, the leader of Loi forest guards at AnBinh Hamlet, An Thoi Dong Commune in HoChi Minh City, this activity seriouslydamages the forest’s ecological system.

Dia Sam is a type of worm that plays animportant part in enriching the ground andhelping forest trees to grow better.

“Recently, Dia Sam has become aspecial dish in Ho Chi Minh City and is alsoexported to China. That’s why digging forworms in the forest has become sopopular,” said resident Sau Xe. Dia Samoften hide on wet land under bushes.People can dig them up easily and onlyneed to use a hoe. A regular digger cancollect 3 kg of Dia Sam per day. As 1 kg ofthe worms fetches VND12 000, a digger canearn a generous income that pays muchmore than other jobs.

Rach Moc, a protected forest, is consideredthe best place to dig for Dia Sam. More andmore people are visiting the area to dig forthe worm illegally. “It is difficult to arrestpeople because they go further and furtherinside the forest and use sophisticatedcamouflage to hide in the bushes and trees,”said the leader of Thanh Nien Guard.

Because of lack of knowledge about forestprotection, most diggers just think of theirown immediate benefits. They do not realizethat digging Dia Sam damages forest landand tree development or that their activitieshave a destructive effect on the wholeecological system. Once the Dia Sam arecaught, many old mature forests aredestroyed. The forestry situation is gettingworse without the Dia Sam to help improvethe quality of the soil. Can Gio is crying outfor help to stop widespread hunting of DiaSam. (Source: Vietnam News, 28 July 2007.)

Handicraft exporters target key markets The handicraft industry has increased exportvalue by nearly 30 percent in the last threeyears but needs to reform to compete withother regional exporters, according toindustry insiders. In 2004 the industry earnedUS$450 million and $630.4 million in 2006,which accounted for 3 percent of the country’stotal exports. Since 2000, the industry hasfocused efforts to expand exports to potentialmarkets, including the United States ofAmerica, the European Union, Japan, theRussian Federation and the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.Of these, the EU accounts for 50 percent ofViet Nam’s total handicraft exports, followedby Japan and the United States.

The handicraft industry has created jobs formore than 1.35 million workers, 60 percent ofwhom are women. Most women make rattanand bamboo articles, weave carpets andsleeping mats and make embroidered products.

Nguyen Van Sanh, deputy director of theMekong Delta Development ResearchInstitute, said that despite the industry’scontributions to increase export revenue andhasten rural economic restructuring, thehandicraft and arts industry still faceschallenges. The industry is plagued withoutdated designs and high delivery andtransport fees that make it less competitivethan China, Thailand and other ASEANcountries, particularly in the United States andthe EU. According to Sanh, the industry needsto expand planting areas for materials andreform production and processing methods.(Source: Vietnam Economic Times, 11September 2007.)

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Ginseng labelling act introduced in Congress Legislation was introduced in both the UnitedStates Senate and House of Representativesyesterday that would require that ginseng(Panax spp.), when sold in its whole form, islabelled to identify its country of harvest.

Senate Bill 1953, the Ginseng HarvestLabeling Act of 2007, was sponsored by Sen.Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Sen. Herb Kohl(D-WI), while the companion bill, HouseResolution 3340, was introduced by Rep.Dave Obey (D-WI). In his floor statement,Sen. Feingold noted that the bill has long-standing support from ginseng farmers andthe Ginseng Board of Wisconsin as well asthe support of the American HerbalProducts Association (AHPA) and the UnitedNatural Products Alliance.

Feingold stated that ginseng grown inWisconsin – where 90 percent of UnitedStates ginseng is cultivated – “is of thehighest quality”, but that “smugglers will goto great lengths to label ginseng grown inCanada or Asia as Wisconsin-grown”. Healso stated that this legislation is intended tocorrect the problem and is “a simple buteffective way to enable consumers to makean informed decision”.

“This bill will ensure that buyers of wholeginseng root are given truthful informationas to its source, without creatingunnecessary labelling requirements forother herbal ingredients or for finishedherbal products,” said Michael McGuffin,AHPA’s president. (Source: American HerbalProducts Association, 5 August 2007.)

UZBEKISTAN

Sale of NWFPs The sale of wood and non-wood forestproducts by forestry enterprises generates300–350 million Uzbek sum in annual income(see Table). Currently, more than 500 tonnesof food and medicinal plants (about 35 plantspecies) are harvested from the forests.

NWFPs include plants such ascoriander, basil, fennel, onion anzur, dogrose and raspberries. In addition, saplingsand seeds of various woody and bushspecies are exported. For example, in 2004seedlings of woody and bush species weredonated to Afghanistan for gardening.

A big threat to the sustainability of forestresources is the illegal logging of trees and

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Product or service IncomeUS$1 000 %

Industrial roundwood 184.8 58.8

Woodfuel 49.3 15.7

Medicinal plants 27.02 8.6

Aromatic plants 0.94 0.3

Raw material for colourants and dyes 1.29 0.4

Hunting 38.43 12.3

Fishing 12.31 3.9

TOTAL 314.09 100

Income from forests in Uzbekistan, 2004



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Businesswoman brings Sa Pa medicinalplants to the world A 31-year-old woman, Do Thi Thu Ha, hashelped change the lives of ethnic minoritiesin Sa Pa with her company, tradingmedicinal plants after many years of livingin the mountainous area. In 2002, she wasassigned as coordinate officer to a projecton developing medicinal plants in Sa Pasponsored by the New Zealand Agency forInternational Development and the EU. Theproject aimed to encourage theconservation of endangered medicinalherbs and improve the livelihoods of ethnicminorities in the Sa Pa district of Lao CaiProvince.

After three years’ implementation, theproject saw some fruitful results. Someoverexploited and endangered plants thatused to be seen as weeds had becomemedicinal plants with high prices. The mostsuccessful thing, according to scientificresearchers, is that these plants could helpcure common diseases of a developingsociety such as depression or Alzheimer’s.

The project also discovered a kind of rootcontaining an anticancer active element,which could lead to a turning-point for theinhabitants of Sa Pa, once verified byresearchers. Later, intellectual propertyrights for the project’s products will begranted for the benefits of the Sa Pa ethniccommunity.

In 2005, Ha established a company tosell the products. The company is now busyseeking partners to sell medicinal plants toAustralia and New Zealand. Some foreignpharmaceutical firms have asked to buy thecompany’s registered patent for massproduction.

Ha’s company’s medicinal plantspreservation project was awarded one offive 2007 Global Supporting Entrepreneursfor Environment and Development (SEED)Awards. “Bridging the Gap”, as the projectis called, uses sustainable cultivation oftraditional medicinal plants to develop highvalue-added products, the manufacturingand proceeds of which improve thelivelihoods of ethnic minority communities,according to the United Nations.

Over the next 12 months, each of the fiveSEED award recipients will receive targetedsupport services designed to expand theirinitial ideas and projects into a socially,economically and environmentallysustainable enterprise. With SEED support,exports of medicinal plants in Sa Pa intoforeign markets are quite likely in the nearfuture.

In September 2007, Bridging the Gap wasfilmed for a BBC television programme.(Sources: Vietnam net, 3 July 2007 andSacred Earth, 27 August 2207.)

Traditional medicine in Viet Nam: anoverview Viet Nam has a long history of traditionalmedicine (TM) practices spanningthousands of years. Two, often interlinked,forms exist within the country: thuoc bac,or traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), isthe dominant system in the north and usesmaterials native to China; and thuoc nam,or traditional Vietnamese medicine (TVM),which predominates in the south and usesVietnamese materials.

Traditional medicines in Viet Nam aremade from animal, plant and mineralproducts. Plants are used in far moreremedies (over 90 percent) than animals,and most animal-based medicines alsoinclude plants to neutralize unpleasantodours and increase their overall effect. Allparts of a plant can be used. Similarly,many different animal parts are used, fromwhole bodies to specific organs.

Of the more than 80 million people in VietNam, over 75 percent are estimated to useTVM as their primary source of treatment forcommon health problems. This is perhapsunsurprising considering the prohibitiveexpense of western medicines, combinedwith poor access to hospitals or communityhealth centres. Together with increasingdemand from urban areas, exploitation ofmedicinal plants and animals has risen topose a serious threat to some species in VietNam – around 70 species are listed asthreatened on the World Conservation Union(IUCN) Red List. The current Viet Nam RedData Book lists 359 animals of conservationconcern, many of them traded and used formedicinal purposes, including tigers(Panthera tigris), rhinoceros (Rhinocerotidaespp.) and bears (Ursus spp.).

The impact of exploitation of wildmedicinal plant species is less welldocumented, but may be equally severe,especially as over 90 percent of the 3 900plant species used in traditional medicineare wild harvested. The uncontrolled harvestof wild medicinal plants in Viet Nam,particularly on a commercial scale forprocessing and export by the pharmaceuticalindustry, along with habitat loss anddegradation, are considered to be theprimary causes for the decline of 136species, 18 of them classified as CriticallyEndangered by IUCN. Several other specieshave declined so much in the wild in VietNam that they now have to be imported bythe major pharmaceutical companies.

Regulation and testing (quality control) ofthe trade in medicinal plants and animalsare poor. Current legislation is old and hasmany gaps, and only applies to state-runcompanies and institutions. Within privateindustry there is no official regulation (eitheradministration or enforcement) of activities.With such a complex structure, some of it“underground”, planning to regulate thislarge private industry will be a hugechallenge in the coming years. (Source:Traffic Dispatches, 26, November 2007;http://www.traffic.org/content/1036.pdf)

ZAMBIA

Beekeeping has a long and old record inZambian culture and there are few Zambianswho do not understand about bees beinghelpful to humans. Most of the beekeepingmethods used are of local origin, and mostcommonly used is the bark hive.

A tree is chosen with the desirablediameter and is then utilized to its fullest toavoid deforestation. One fully grown tree canproduce about ten hives each measuring upto 1.2 m in length. This measurement is usedto allow the beekeeper easy access to thecombs from both ends.

When the site for the apiary has beenchosen, the hive is hung high in the tree tosecure it from attack by honey badgers.(Source: Bees for Development Journal, 83,June 2007.) �

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Proverb, Zimbabwe

COUNTRY COMPASS 41Islamic Republic of Iran and Kashmir; current liveli hood approach to ... of Afghan carpet industry is estimated to be also in export volume US$290–325 million

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