What We Do
We take neglected species that have the potential to generate benefits for rural people and their environment and transform them into commercial “crops” that actually do generate these benefits.
Our activities include:
- Identifying species in dryland areas of Zimbabwe with particular potential to benefit small-scale producers.
- Mapping NTFP resources and identifying high-potential source areas for commercialization based on resource densities, market proximities, and above all, community interest.
- Providing technical assistance to small-scale producers in the sustainable harvesting and management of indigenous plants and traditional crops.
- Working with government and district authorities as well as communities and other stakeholders to establish transparent processes around Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and certification.
- Research into the commercially relevant properties of these species, and facilitating new product development to enhance their market appeal.
- Undertaking consumer awareness campaigns, media programming and events to raise the profile of underutilised species amongst consumers.
- Providing direct technical assistance to SMEs in the natural products and traditional foods sectors.
- Facilitating profitable, reliable relationships between small-scale producers and commercial buyers.
We work not only with food plants, but also with plants with medicinal, cosmetic, health ingredient, and even ornamental applications. And everyone benefits: our bodies are healthier, we conserve biodiversity (making our planet healthier) and we create new livelihood options to bring people out of poverty.
