NTFP Resource Assessment_Report_Final.pdf

USAID Zimbabwe Resilience through Accelerating New Community-based Holistic Outcomes for Resource Sustainability (ANCHORS) Project

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Resource Mapping, Assessment and Identification of Commercial Development and

Conservation Enterprises Opportunities in 7 wards of Bikita, Chipinge and Chiredzi Districts

REPORT

Submitted to ECODIT by Bio Innovation Zimbabwe December 2021

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 2

List of Figures 3

List of Tables 3

List of Annexes 3

List of Acronyms 4

Acknowledgements 4

Executive Summary 5

1 Introduction 8

2 Background 9

3 Objectives and Scope 11

3.1 Overall objectives of the assessment 11

3.2 Geographical area assessed 11

4 Methodology 11

4.1 Predictive modelling of distribution and density of high-potential NTFP species 12

4.2 Ground truthing of NTFP distribution and density 12

4.3 KIIs and FGDs 15

5 Limitations 17

6 Key Findings 17

6.1 Predictive modelling of distribution and density of high potential NTFP species 17

6.2 Ground truthing of NTFP distribution and density 17

6.3 KIIs and FGDs 17

6.4 Further short listing of NTFPs with commercial potential 18

6.5 Commercialization roadmaps, including identification of potential private sector actors 20

List of Figures

Figure 1: Limited agricultural opportunities make NTFP commercial development an attractive alternative livelihood strategy. 8 Figure 2: Map showing study Wards 9 Figure 3: Examples of food products based on baobab fruit 10 Figure 4: Has the Zumbani plant been overharvested? 10 Figure 5: Map of Wards 29 and 30 Chipinge, showing theoretical distribution of some key NTFPS in relation to roads and waterways 12 Figure 6: "Bead” transect walk model 13 Figure 7: Example of a transect in Ward 23, Chiredzi 14 Figure 8: Field team during a transect walk 15 Figure 9: BIZ team member showing images of shortlisted NTFP species to community members in FGD groups 16 Figure 10: Focus Group Discussions 16 Figure 11: Harvesting of Cassia petersiana pods for beverage-making 18 Figure 12: Black monkey orange (Mukwakwa) 19

List of Tables

Table 1: Number of transect walks per ward 14 Table 2: Alphabetical shortlist of NTFP species 18 Table 3: Scoring for 10 shortlisted NTFPs 19 Table 4: Potential private sector partners for NTFP value chains 20

List of Annexes

Annex 1 TOR for NTFP resource assessment in SEL Annex 2 List of species to look out for during fieldwork NTFP resource mapping SEL Annex 3 Examples of population prediction maps for baobab, marula, ilala palm, sour plum, wild melons, and black monkey orange in wards 29-30, Chipinge, wards 1 and 23, Chiredzi and wards 24-26, Bikita

Annex 4 Itinerary fieldwork NTFP resource assessment Annex 5 List of species and species numbers encountered during transect walks Annex 6 Questionnaires for key informant interview and focus group discussions Annex 7 Report KII and FGD findings NTFP resource assessment SEL Annex 8 BIZ Species Selection Matrix Annex 9 Matrix scoring and ranking for 10 post-fieldwork shortlisted NTFP species Annex 10 Info sheets for each of the final 5 NTFP species Annex 11 Commercialization roadmaps for the 5 selected NTFP species Annex 12 Description of identified private sector actors Annex 13 References

List of Acronyms

ANCHORS Accelerating New Community-based Holistic Outcomes for Resource Sustainability

AWF African Wildlife Foundation BIZ Bio Innovation Zimbabwe COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019, an infectious respiratory disease caused by the

SARS-CoV-2 virus DEM Digital Elevation Map EMA Environmental Management Agency FC Forestry Commission FGD Focus group discussion GIS Geographic information system GCT Gonarezhou Conservation Trust GNP Gonarezhou National Park GoZ Government of Zimbabwe GPS Global Positioning System KII Key informant interviews NGO Non-governmental organization NTFP(s) Non-timber forest product(s) RDC Rural District Council SEL Southeast Lowveld SVC Save Valley Conservancy UEBT Union for Ethical Biotrade

Acknowledgements

This study could not have been undertaken without the support of the Resilience ANCHORS team, whose assistance in facilitating the complex logistics of the multiple field teams was invaluable. Grateful thanks are also extended to Liberty Chauke (Gonarezhou Conservation Trust) and Shepherd Mazivire for their assistance in the field. Finally, thanks to all members of the field teams (Scott Richardson, Margo Potgieter, Tracy Mapfumo, Charlie Chisvo, David Brazier, Gus Le Breton) for their enthusiasm and energy, and to Caroline Jacquet, without whose unflappable leadership and administrative oversight, none of this could have happened.

Executive Summary

This report was prepared by Bio Innovation Zimbabwe (BIZ) on behalf of ECODIT LLC, primary contractor for the Resilience ANCHORS project, financed by USAID. Resilience ANCHORS focuses on improving and strengthening the resilience capacities of communities in the Southeast Lowveld of Zimbabwe (SEL). The Resilience ANCHORS project has an explicit component in its program that aims to provide support for community income-generating initiatives that utilize natural resources in a sustainable manner.

One of the most significant opportunities around natural resources derives from the commercial potential of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). NTFPs are biological materials (other than wood) which are extracted from an area of natural forest or woodland for human use. Zimbabwe has a particularly rich history of traditional use around indigenous plants and NTFPs. Of the nearly 6,000 species of indigenous plants found in the country, some 900 of them have traditional use as food, cosmetics or medicine. The Southeast Lowveld is an especially productive area for these products, and is already the center of the country’s burgeoning baobab fruit industry.

This report outlines the findings of the NTFP resource mapping conducted in selected wards of Bikita, Chipinge and Chiredzi districts and recommendations for NTFP commercialization opportunities for local communities adjacent to the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) and Gonarezhou National Park. These should ultimately lead to the Resilience ANCHORS project playing a facilitatory role in developing new NTFP-based business opportunities for communities adjacent to these important protected areas.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the assessment (see Annex 1 for a full set of Terms of Reference) were to:

1. Map the occurrence and density of high-potential NTFP species within 7 target wards of Bikita, Chiredzi and Chipinge districts.

2. Identify and prioritize 5-10 NTFPs that might be successfully commercialized.

3. Develop preliminary commercialization roadmaps for each of these species including potential private sector actors who might be engaged for the development and value addition of the prioritized NTFP products.

Key Findings

Predictive modelling of distribution and density of high potential NTFP species A full set of theoretical population maps for each of the pre-identified high potential NTFP species were developed for each of the targeted wards.

Ground truthing of NTFP distribution and density The full breakdown of species and species numbers encountered in the transect walks is attached as Annex 5.

KIIs and FGDs The full report of the KIIs and FGDs is attached as Annex 7.

Further short listing of NTFPs with commercial potential Combining data from the sociological and ecological teams, the list of promising species was narrowed down to 10. Although the original study had called for the identification of NTFPs other than baobab, baobab was included because of its widespread prevalence in several wards and the fact that it represents an obvious underexploited resource for communities.

The shortlisted species, presented alphabetically, are as follows:

Botanical name English name Local name

Potential uses

1 Adansonia digitata Baobab Muuyu Fruit products, seed oil 2 Berchemia discolor Bird plum Munyii Fruit products, dye 3 Citrullus lanatus Kalahari melon Muvembe, Mushamba Fruit products, seed oil

4 Cyperus esculentus Tiger nut, yellow nutsedge

Tokodo, Chitokwe

Food and beverage

5 Friesoldielsia obovata Monkey finger Mushinga Fruit products 6 Hyphaene spp Ilala palm Murara, Muchehwe, Mungwarara

Beverage, basketry and other crafts

7 Sclerocrarya birrea Marula Muganu Fruit products, seed oil 8 Strychnos madagascariensis Black monkey orange

Mukwakwa Fruit products

9 Syzygium cordatum Waterberry Mukute Fruit products

Ximenia americana Sour plum Mutsvanzva Seed oil

The next step was to score and rank each using the BIZ Species Selection Matrix. This matrix, adapted from a scoring system developed in the 1990s by FAO for NTFP viability assessment, has been used for over 20 years in Southern Africa and has a strong track record of successful use.

The full scoring tables are attached as Annex 9 and summarized below:

Rank Species Marketing Ecological Socio-Econ Technological Score 1= Baobab 27 15 18 15 75 1= Marula 30 15 15 15 75 3 Sour plum 28 16 15 13 72 4 Kalahari melon 26 15 13 14 68 5 Ilala 21 16 16 13 66 6 Tiger nut 20 14 13 12 59 7 Mukwakwa 16 15 12 14 57 8= Water berry 16 15 12 13 56 8= Monkey finger 16 15 12 13 56 10 Bird plum 14 15 13 13 55

The top 5 species were selected as being the optimal candidates for commercial development in the targeted wards. Information sheets on each of these species, highlighting presence in targeted wards, basic botanic characteristics, the history of each species’ uses and potential commercial uses, are included as Annex 10.

Commercialization roadmaps, including identification of potential private sector actors With final NTFPs identified, commercialization roadmaps for each were developed (see Annex 11). The NTFP commercial development roadmaps follow a format developed by PhytoTrade Africa (the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association), in conjunction with the Geneva-based International Trade Centre, and outline the key steps required to bring each of these NTFPs through to successful commercial development.

The development of successful NTFP conservation enterprises depends heavily on the identification and engagement of appropriate private sector partners. Discussions were held with potential private sector partner to establish opportunities for collaboration around the establishment of new enterprises or the incorporation of selected NTFP value chains from the SEL into existing enterprises. A short description of each of the identified partners is included as Annex 12.

1 Introduction This report was prepared by Bio Innovation Zimbabwe (BIZ) on behalf of ECODIT LLC, primary contractor for the Resilience ANCHORS project, financed by USAID. Resilience ANCHORS focuses on improving and strengthening the resilience capacities of communities in the Southeast Lowveld of Zimbabwe (SEL). Resilience capacities enable communities to cope with, and recover from, shocks and stresses while conserving the natural resource base upon which their livelihood options can be diversified and sustained.

The Resilience ANCHORS project has an explicit component in its program that aims to provide support for community income-generating initiatives that utilize natural resources in a sustainable manner.

One of the most significant opportunities around natural resources derives from the commercial potential of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). NTFPs are biological materials (other than wood) which are extracted from an area of natural forest or woodland for human use. Zimbabwe has a particularly rich history of traditional use around indigenous plants and NTFPs. Of the nearly 6,000 species of indigenous plants found in the country, some 900 of them have traditional use as food, cosmetics or medicine. The Southeast Lowveld is an especially productive area for these products, and is already the center of the country’s burgeoning baobab fruit industry.

With limited livelihood options, it is essential for local farming households to return to these useful plant species for nutrition and income generation. However, before commercializing plant species in a particular area, there is need to ascertain availability in harvestable quantities to ensure sustainability.

This report outlines the findings of the NTFP resource mapping conducted in selected wards of Bikita, Chipinge and Chiredzi districts and recommendations for NTFP commercialization opportunities for local communities adjacent to the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) and Gonarezhou National Park. These should ultimately lead to the Resilience ANCHORS project playing a facilitatory role in developing new NTFP-based business opportunities for communities adjacent to these important protected areas.

2 Background Districts in the SEL fall under Natural Regions IV and V. The SEL is characterized by an average annual rainfall below 650mm and high temperatures; droughts are common. The high temperatures and low rainfall bestow an immense stress on plant growth, particularly rainfed crops. Although considered unsuitable for dry land cropping, smallholder farmers in these areas rely on rainfed agriculture as a source of food and grow drought-tolerant varieties of maize, sorghum, pearl and finger millet. Groundnuts, round nuts, sugar beans, cowpeas, pumpkins and watermelons are also cultivated. Crop yields are extremely low and the risk of crop failure is high.

As a source of cash, farmers grow crops such as sesame and cotton, rear cattle and weave baskets. The main markets are within the wards, local towns and business centers, traders from Mozambique and abattoirs from Harare e.g. MC Meats.

This study was undertaken in 7 wards in Bikita, Chipinge and Chiredzi districts within the SEL. In these wards livelihoods have become particularly difficult due to increasing populations (agricultural and grazing land cannot meet food security requirements), high dependency on remittances (from NGOs, donors and GoZ), extreme weather conditions (climate change) and human-wildlife conflict.

The Resilience ANCHORS project has identified that the SEL has economic development potential with wildlife, conservation agriculture and NTFPs as key drivers. There is need to focus on and intensify activities already being carried out in the communities, as well as diversify into NTFP processing within these wards.

Globally, studies have found that woodland and forest species support the livelihoods of millions of people and that NTFPs are vital in generating income for marginalized people.

Forest resources have been important to people living in the areas in which they are found for generations. Their uses include a variety of food products, animal fodder, medicine, and skin care. Some species, like baobab and marula, provide the raw materials for hunting and fishing equipment, weaving, rope-making, and crafts. Some trees and plants are also important in the folk traditions and myths of local cultures.

Demand for NTFPs has increased dramatically in recent years on the national and international markets. For example, over the past decade, baobab fruit has achieved the status of “superfruit” for its nutritional and health benefits. Baobab fruit has been granted a novel foods clearance by the EU and can be exported from Zimbabwe. Markets for other products are still under development and these are sold in more limited quantities. There are several companies in Zimbabwe and the region that buy and process NTFPs and are ready to offer markets to rural producers. Most of these markets are young and can offer long-term incomes to producers if resources are managed responsibly.

Figure 3: Examples of food products based on baobab fruit

NTFP harvesting can have positive or negative impacts on the conservation of biodiversity.

The risk of overharvesting resources when moving from domestic, small scale, traditional harvesting to commercial off-take is a concern. Harvesters may remove more from the environment than is sustainable. Maintaining a reliable income flow over time therefore requires that the forest resource upon which this flow is based be maintained without over-exploitation or destructive harvesting. Currently, in Zimbabwe, there is no documented evidence of overexploitation of NTFPs, mainly because traditional harvesting occurs at low volumes and commercial off-take by the few buyers currently operating in Zimbabwe is based on quotas, local laws, resource assessments, and community input. However, in the last two years, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, zumbani herbal tea (Lippia javanica) became popular in Zimbabwe, which led to destructive harvesting of the shrub. An assessment would need to be done to check the impact this has had on the resource.

To create sustained revenue opportunities for marginalized families through commercialization of NTFPs, it is crucial to consider:

● availability of raw material within the communities and harvesters’ willingness to collect the raw material;

● technology and/or skills within the community to undertake preliminary processing and value-addition;

● existence of an accessible market for the NTFP or products derived from it; and

● entrepreneurs within the community able and willing to invest in NTFP enterprises, or private sector partners from outside the community with a potential interest in engaging with community suppliers.

3 Objectives and Scope

3.1 Overall objectives of the assessment

The overall objectives of the assessment (see Annex 0 for a full set of Terms of Reference) were to:

1. Map the occurrence and density of high-potential NTFP species within 7 target wards of Bikita, Chiredzi and Chipinge districts.

2. Identify and prioritize 5-10 NTFPs that might be successfully commercialized.

3. Develop preliminary commercialization roadmaps for each of these species including potential private sector actors who might be engaged for the development and value addition of the prioritized NTFP products.

3.2 Geographical area assessed

The assessment focused on high-potential areas within 3 wards (24, 25 and 26) of Bikita district, 2 wards (1 and 23) of Chiredzi district and 2 wards (29 and 30) in Chipinge district.

The assessment focused on communal forests and semi-cultivated zones within these wards, while factoring in considerations such as accessibility (roads) and proximity of homesteads to collection sites. Access to NTFP resources should allow for manageable time and labor spent by collectors and buyers should have reasonable access to supply.

4 Methodology The resource assessment made use of existing maps, data collected during transect walks, GIS analysis, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. This triangulation of data helped in providing usable and real information about the commercial viability of the species in the wards.

A thorough literature review and KIIs conducted with Forestry Commission, National Herbarium, Department of Seed Services, Environmental Management Agency, National Parks and Wildlife, Gonarezhou National Park and ICRAF helped determine the presence of potentially marketable species (fruits, nuts, medicine, ornamental, bee fodder and ecotourism) in the targeted wards. This led to the preparation of a list of some 22 different plant species and 3 edible insect species which were considered likely to be found within the areas (see attached Annex 2). Two further more generic sets of NTFPs were added in the form of bee fodder (which could be comprised of a wide range of different flowering plants) and edible fungi.

4.1 Predictive modelling of distribution and density of high-potential NTFP species

Using a method derived from Jacana Education and Twisisa, theoretical distribution maps were developed for these pre-identified species (see Figure 5 and Annex 3 for examples). To construct these maps, the following information is used:

● Geological data, allowing for the characterization of different ecozones based on soil and rock type;

● Slope data, derived from a DEM of Zimbabwe which indicates the gradient of the slope (flat, inclining, slope, and high slope).

Depending on the drainage and root system a plant will be adapted to certain categories of slope;

● Land use data, relevant because human influence has a large impact on tree distribution (e.g.

certain trees are cut for firewood or kept due to fruit);

● Altitude (with certain species only occurring at certain altitudes);

and

● Rainfall data, with rainfall also being a key determinant of plant distribution and occurrence.

4.2 Ground truthing of NTFP distribution and density

For the physical NTFP mapping (ground-truthing), transect walks were conducted by an ecologist and a GIS specialist in the company of local field assistants. The transects are intended to cover each of the main land use systems in place within the target ward, with the objective of recording the presence of the shortlisted NTFP species. Transect walks give valuable data, either validating or contradicting the theoretical model’s predicted presence and density.

The team used “bead transects”, a method developed and refined by BIZ over several years of field-based resource assessments. These transects involve walking a path, stopping at 50m intervals and counting all the plants of interest within 25m, measured with a laser rangefinder. Data was entered in a spreadsheet so that a population can be represented for each circle. All useful plants in the blue circle were counted and measured.

Figure 6: "Bead” transect walk model

GPS was used to record the position of trees.

Benefits of the ‘bead’ method are:

● there is no need to move in a perfectly straight line;

● it is unlikely that trees are missed, since the 25m radius can be fully explored while one member of the group stays marking the center location; and

● it is adaptable to local terrain and available time - the total number of ‘beads’ can be lowered if time is short. The team typically aimed for 60 areas (3km of transect).

The main limitation of the ‘bead’ method is that, although it gives good information on the population demographics, it covers a relatively small total area. A 3km transect walk is under 12ha total. This means that the density estimates have a high degree of uncertainty.

However, they are enough to give a point of comparison with the predicted population maps, and to catch places where density is drastically higher or lower than expected.

For a visual example of a transect walk, see Figure 7.

Figure 7: Example of a transect in Ward 23, Chiredzi

A total of 28 transects were undertaken across the 7 wards; an average of 4 per ward.

Table 1: Number of transect walks per ward

District Ward no Number of transects

Chipinge 29 3 Chipinge 30 4 Chiredzi 1 4 Chiredzi 23 3 Bikita 24 4 Bikita 25 2 Bikita 26 8

Figure 8: Field team during a transect walk

4.3 KIIs and FGDs

Concurrent with the transect walks and ecological ground-truthing, another team was busy collecting socio-economic and cultural data through key informant interviews (KIIs) with relevant available local stakeholders and focus group discussions (FGDs) within the adjacent communities.

Engagement began with KIIs at a national level, followed by interviews with key informants at district and community level. These interviews helped deepen the understanding of relevant policies, rules, and laws that govern management, access and use of the target species by the communities. The interviews also assisted in understanding current harvesting and use of the target species.

A total of 9 key informants were interviewed at national level, representing key institutional stakeholders in potential NTFP harvesting (including the Forestry Commission, National Herbarium, Environmental Management Agency and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management).

At district and ward levels, a further 40 key informants were interviewed, representing various relevant central and local government bodies, traditional authorities and some selected local community members.

FGDs were held in multiple locations in each of the target wards. A total of 375 people participated in the FGDs, of which 74% were female and 26% male. 28% of the participants were in the youth category (between the ages of 18 and 35).

The FGDs were looking to interact with 16 participants at each center, with 3 centers per ward, covering all villages within a ward. This allowed the BIZ team to identify any socio-economic, cultural and/or behavioral differences within a ward as well. A request was made during mobilization for the groups to comprise of 8-12 females older than 35 and up to 8 males. Participant selection was based on their roles in the community; most respondents were lead farmers, village heads, herbalists or traditional leaders familiar with NTFPs in the area.

The FGDs helped in understanding farmers’ activities at different times of the year, including current income-generating activities within the targeted communities, the occurrence and distribution of specific NTFPS, communities’ access to targeted species, traditional knowledge on the species and their uses. The discussions also informed the team on hazards experienced and community responses to these hazards. Potential spots for ecotourism were also noted during the discussions.

Copies of KII and FGD questionnaires are attached as Annex 6.

The teams would meet up at the end of each day to compare notes and cross-reference each other’s findings, enabling the gradual collation of a reasonably accurate picture of NTFP availability within each of the targeted wards.

5 Limitations The study took a two-pronged approach to identifying NTFPs. The first was through physical resource assessment activities based on remote sensing and predictive modelling of species occurrence, backed up by limited ground truthing activities. The second was through KIIs with selected resource people from within and outside the targeted communities, and FGDs with community members.

Limited time obviously restricts the available scope of these, especially in terms of the ground truthing. Whilst the methodology used has been developed and refined over several years, it is not fool proof. Many commonly-used NTFPs seem so self-evident to community members they are overlooked in discussions. If these species are picked up during the ground truthing they can then be cross-referenced with community members. If not, they may be completely missed. By the same token there are some NTFPs to which communities ascribe special importance (e.g. for medicinal use) but which are not encountered at all during the ground truthing. This also creates uncertainty as to whether they simply occur in other locations (not ground-truthed during the assessment) or whether they are rare and hard to find. This is a question that could only be resolved through more exhaustive ground-truthing.

Nevertheless, these limitations notwithstanding, the methodology developed and used by BIZ has been found to be the most accurate and effective means of identifying NTFPs as candidates for commercial development within the budgetary constraints typical of a short term (i.e. less than 5 years) donor-funded project.

6 Key Findings

6.1 Predictive modelling of distribution and density of high potential NTFP species

A full set of theoretical distribution maps for each of the pre-identified high potential NTFP species was developed for each of the targeted wards and are available from BIZ on request. Examples of the maps can be found in Annex 3.

6.2 Ground truthing of NTFP distribution and density

The full breakdown of species and species numbers encountered in the transect walks is attached as Annex 5. Although there was a significant degree of convergence with the theoretical distribution maps, there were some notable differences. The distribution of plant species is dependent on a variety of complex and inter-related factors, not all of which can be picked up by predictive modelling.

6.3 KIIs and FGDs

The full report of the KIIs and FGDs is attached as Annex 7. Essentially these confirmed the following:

● The main livelihood activities within these wards relate to agricultural production, mainly rainfed arable agriculture, some irrigated horticultural production, livestock and poultry.

● The majority of agricultural production is for household consumption. Small volumes of certain crops are also grown for sale, although the markets are often unreliable and unpredictable.

● Considerable amounts of NTFP harvesting are already undertaken. However, this is again almost entirely for household consumption rather than revenue generation.

● There are some revenues from tourism and hunting accruing to some communities, mostly through the CAMPFIRE program.

However, this income is also irregular and unpredictable (not least because of the impacts of COVID-19 on both tourism and hunting).

● Livelihoods have been impacted in recent years by a number of shocks, including floods, drought, pest outbreaks (locusts, quelea, fall army worm), and crop raiding and livestock predation by wildlife.

These community consultations helped identify and further shortlist the NTFPs with specific commercial potential.

6.4 Further short listing of NTFPs with commercial potential

Combining data from the sociological and ecological teams, the list of promising species was narrowed down to 10. Although the original study had called for the identification of NTFPs other than baobab, baobab was included because of its widespread prevalence in several wards and the fact that it represents an obvious underexploited resource for communities.

The shortlisted species, presented alphabetically, are as follows:

Table 2: Alphabetical shortlist of NTFP species

Botanical name English name Local name

Potential uses

1 Adansonia digitata Baobab Muuyu Fruit products, seed oil 2 Berchemia discolor Bird plum Munyii Fruit products, dye 3 Citrullus lanatus Kalahari melon Muvembe, Mushamba Fruit products, seed oil

4 Cyperus esculentus Tiger nut, yellow nutsedge

Tokodo, Chitokwe

Food and beverage

5 Friesoldielsia obovata Monkey finger Mushinga Fruit products 6 Hyphaene spp Ilala palm Murara, Muchehwe, Mungwarara

Beverage, basketry and other crafts

7 Sclerocrarya birrea Marula Muganu Fruit products, seed oil

8 Strychnos madagascariensis

Black monkey orange

Mukwakwa Fruit products

9 Syzygium cordatum Waterberry Mukute Fruit products

Ximenia americana Sour plum Mutsvanzva Seed oil

The next step was to score and rank each using the BIZ Product Selection Matrix. This matrix, adapted from a scoring system developed in the 1990s by FAO for NTFP viability assessment, has been used for over 20 years in Southern Africa and has a strong track record of successful use.

The matrix poses questions in four main areas of importance to NTFP selection. These categories and the broad questions they are intended to address are:

● Marketing: Will the product sell if it is produced?

● Ecological: Can the product be produced in an ecologically sustainable manner?

● Socio-economic: Will this product bring meaningful benefits to low-income rural producers?

● Technological: Are the technologies required to produce this product accessible?

This comparative analysis enabled the preparation of a final shortlist of NTFPs that have the potential to be commercially developed from the targeted communities.

The full scoring tables are attached as Annex 9 and summarized below:

Table 3: Scoring for 10 shortlisted NTFPs

Rank Species Marketing Ecological Socio-Econ Technologica l

Score

1= Baobab 27 15 18 15 75 1= Marula 30 15 15 15 75 3 Sour plum 28 16 15 13 72 4 Kalahari melon 26 15 13 14 68 5 Ilala 21 16 16 13 66 6 Tiger nut 20 14 13 12 59 7 Mukwakwa 16 15 12 14 57 8= Water berry 16 15 12 13 56 8= Monkey finger 16 15 12 13 56 10 Bird plum 14 15 13 13 55

The top 5 species were selected as being the optimal candidates for commercial development in the targeted wards. Information sheets on each of these species, highlighting presence in targeted wards, basic botanic characteristics, the history of each species’ uses and potential commercial uses, are included as Annex 10.

6.5 Commercialization roadmaps, including identification of potential private sector actors

With final NTFPs identified, commercialization roadmaps for each were developed (see Annex 11). The NTFP commercial development roadmaps follow a format developed by PhytoTrade Africa (the Southern African Natural Products Trade Association), in conjunction with the Geneva-based International Trade Centre, and outline the key steps required to bring each of these NTFPs through to successful commercial development.

The development of successful NTFP conservation enterprises depends heavily on the identification and engagement of appropriate private sector partners. Discussions were held with potential private sector partner to establish opportunities for collaboration around the establishment of new enterprises or the incorporation of selected NTFP value chains from the SEL into existing enterprises. Criteria for the selection of potential private sector actors included:

● Prior experience working with the selected NTFPs, or other NTFPs with similar properties;

● An established market presence and track record;

● Demonstrable technical capabilities around production and processing; and

● A prior history (where relevant) of working with value chains certified organic and/or Fair Trade and/or other appropriate Eco-labelling schemes (e.g. Fair Wild, UEBT etc.).

Table 4: Potential private sector partners for NTFP value chains

Product Companies Baobab fruit powder B’Ayoba Baobab seed for oil Kaza Natural Oils, Kupanda Marula nuts/kernels for oil Usafi Oil, Kaza, Mafemo Trading, Grasslands & Kopjes Marula kernels for food Hutano Foods Sour plum seed for oil Kaza Natural Oils, Kupanda Wild melon seed for oil Kaza Natural Oils, Kupanda Ilala palm basketry Mrs Basket Africa, Meltonka Artefacts and Basketware, Collaborative Craft Projects (Jane Taylor), Jane Parsons

It should be stressed that identification of a potential private sector partner does not in itself guarantee either that this partner can be convinced to engage in the enterprise with the target communities or that the enterprise will be successful.