A review of Production, Value addition and Marketing of Non Wood Forest Products (NWFPS) from Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASALS) in Kenya

Abstract

Kenya‘s arid and semi-arid areas (ASAL‘s) cover about 80% of the total land surface; hold 25% of the human population and 65% of the wildlife. The future for sustainable development of the drylands lies in the rational use of natural resources. In recent times it has been noted that the ASALs have enormous economic potential and are the home of vital non wood forest products such as dyes, medicines, resins, gums, perfume, honey, fruits and other important emerging natural products that are made from indigenous plants. At international level, the natural products market from such pure and unpolluted sources has risen quite high with bio-enterprises capable of offering new sources of livelihood to the population of the ASALs areas. In Kenya, the level of NWFPs utilization varies from one region or community to another, and in line with the ecological zones differentiation. Utilization is more in the drylands than high potential areas where modern agricultural crop production dominates land use decisions. IGAD has recognised that promoting sustainable land use in the dry lands requires a regional perspective on the challenges that pastoralists face with greater attention on transboundary ecosystem management, markets and service provision. The 2nd IGAD/IUCN conference of Directors of Finance & Planning and Directors of Conservation Ministries held on 9 -13 March 2010 in Entebbe, Uganda recommended a proposal that IGAD formulates a strategy to look into the potentials and products of arid and semi-arid areas, looking at marketing chains and value addition. In identifying useful plant crops for ASALs, it is necessary to take cognisance of other plants of economic importance that are threatened by climate change, predatory exploitation and desertification. There is also need to undertake feasibility studies and develop business plans in order to understand the opportunities, the challenges involved, cost benefit and definition of business case scenarios appropriate for each ASALs product in the Member states. The proposed overall objective of the programme is to contribute to food security, income generation and alternative livelihoods in the ASALs by exploiting and promoting eco-(bio) enterprises from non wood forest products existing in the ASALs. The specific objectives of the programme are expected to contribute to the diversification of the livelihood systems in the ASALs by creating new opportunities for trade and availability of foods and products from ASALs. It is expected that the artificial and misplaced prejudice to these products as inferior should end due to their publicity, marketing, popularization and availability in the form of that is acceptable to the local and international markets. Development of the national strategy for production, value addition and marketing of products from arid and semi-arid lands is to be implemented in four phases. The current study was the first phase and involved review of literature and documentation in this subject and production of a national report. The key non wood forest products in Kenyan ASALS include: gums, resins, indigeneous fruits, aloes, dyes, tannins, medicaments, essential oils, honey and bee products. These are mainly associated with a number of plant species growing in the ASAL areas. This paper reviews the ecology of the plant species, NWFP resource mapping, production, processing, marketing, commercialization and their economic contribution. Associations along the value chains, policy and legal frameworks, research and development and constraints to optimal utilization are also dealt with. Recommendations and the way forward are also highlighted. Some of the key constraints on the commercialization of NWFPS identified in the study include: inadequate quality control of the products, un-streamlined supply chain, poor pricing and linkages with markets, lack of clear policy on the development of NWFPs, lack of product standards, lack of access to capital, poor production practices, inadequate data on some of the products and the markets among others. It is concluded that the following interventions should be undertaken in order to enhance the sustainable commercialization of NWFPS in Kenya:  Re-emphasize development of the NWFPs in the national forestry plans, enshrined in the cultural heritage, health, food, wildlife and gender empowerment policy plans, the national economic recovery action plan, the strategic rural poverty alleviation schemes, and other established human and development initiatives.  Collaborative resource surveys (particularly in NWFPs endowed regions) to ascertain and identify indigenous (as well as exotic) NWFPs‘ ecological niches and their potential for promotion.  Build information, seed databases and technological transfer networks among different NWFPs producers and users and to enhance NWFPs development at both the local and national levels.  extension education programmes to safeguard, integrate, raise awareness on and transfer existing indigenous NWFPs use-wisdom amongst the different consumers, particularly the youth,  Capacity building on micro-credit, entrepreneurial and NWFPs processing skills, hygiene, and bookkeeping.  Legal mechanisms for the standardization and certification of processed NWFPs, with well defined patent rights  Commercialization of NWFPS Germplasm production and exchange