By Kaleb Nghishidivali
Okakarara, July 21 – Namibia has solidified its position as the world’s leading exporter of Devil’s Claw, boasting an impressive market share of 95% and annual export volumes ranging between 400 and 600 tons.
However, recent concerns have been raised by Bennett Kahuur, the Director of Wildlife and National Parks in Namibia, regarding the decline in export volumes due to the shrinking availability of Devil’s Claw plants. Mr. Kahuur addressed this issue on Wednesday, July 19, in Okakarara town, Otjozondjupa region, during a training and certification program for 40 participants. The participants underwent training on Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP+) to Foster Sustainable Income Streams and Biodiversity Protection.
The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism (MEFT) collaborated with GIZ Biodiversity Economy to facilitate the training, with a focus on promoting sustainable income streams and biodiversity protection in Namibia. Benefitting individuals from four conservancies within the Okakarara constituency, the initiative aimed to equip aspiring harvesters and those already engaged in harvesting and trading activities with essential knowledge. As part of the program, the participants also received equipment donations.
Director Kahuure revealed that the export value currently stands at approximately N$80 to N$100 million annually, with 50% of the revenue being directly allocated to rural producers and local traders. Traditionally, Devil’s Claw export activities have been centred around regions such as Zambezi, Kavango (east and west), and partly Otjozondjupa.
“To maintain its leading position in both quantity and quality of supply, Namibia must prioritize sustainability considerations,” emphasized Kahuure.
During his remarks, Kahuure highlighted the fact that Devil’s Claw is already a regulated resource, and in 2010, Namibia updated its Devil’s Claw policy to focus on sustainable harvesting practices and broader community involvement. He stressed the importance of supporting rural communities in achieving sustainable harvesting practices while protecting this valuable resource for present and future generations. Capacity-building efforts, according to Kahuure, should concentrate on improving processing techniques, implementing good hygiene and packaging practices, and establishing sustainable market linkages.
To achieve these goals, the director suggested the implementation of various measures, such as providing training and designating Devil’s Claw communities, closely monitoring harvesting for sustainability and traceability purposes, and conducting inspections and documentation through reliable sources. Mr. Kahuure also called for cooperation between Devil’s Claw harvesters and ministry officials to ensure the long-term viability of the industry.
