Devil's claw brings dignity
About 800 harvesters from the Nyae Nyae and N#a Jaqna conservancies have sold more than 32 tonnes of devil's claw, which generated a combined income of close to N$2 million.
The devil's claw harvested in both conservancies is certified organic.
Annual inspections ensure sustainability, traceability and quality standards and this compliance has ensured that its price has more than doubled since 2011.
Xoa//an /Ai!ae, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy chairperson, says devil's claw harvesting provides the women of the community with an opportunity to earn money.
“In an area with precious few employment prospects, this income is an important source of much-needed supplementary cash.
“This is a very significant way of empowering the conservancy members, especially women, and proves that marginalised communities do not have to live off handouts if they are given the means to produce for themselves.
“Our members, and especially women, do not have many opportunities to earn cash income and this provides them with an opportunity to do this.” /Ai!ae says.
N/haokxa Kaqece and Xoan Kxam
/oo are harvesters from the village Ben se Kamp.
They believe it is important to harvest the tubers carefully so that the plant does not die.
The harvesting of devil's claw offers only one small opportunity for the members of these conservancies to generate much-needed cash income.
Therefore, the creation of other income-generating opportunities is a priority.
“It is a medicine that goes out to help others and we are happy about this but we also want to ensure that we benefit fairly.
“Harvesting devil's claw is difficult, it is far, you need water and food and we take great care to harvest sustainably and produce a good quality product.
“The income from devil's claw is for many of our members the only source of income,” says Anna Mathias, a member of the N#a Jaqna Conservancy committee.
STAFF REPORTER
The devil's claw harvested in both conservancies is certified organic.
Annual inspections ensure sustainability, traceability and quality standards and this compliance has ensured that its price has more than doubled since 2011.
Xoa//an /Ai!ae, the Nyae Nyae Conservancy chairperson, says devil's claw harvesting provides the women of the community with an opportunity to earn money.
“In an area with precious few employment prospects, this income is an important source of much-needed supplementary cash.
“This is a very significant way of empowering the conservancy members, especially women, and proves that marginalised communities do not have to live off handouts if they are given the means to produce for themselves.
“Our members, and especially women, do not have many opportunities to earn cash income and this provides them with an opportunity to do this.” /Ai!ae says.
N/haokxa Kaqece and Xoan Kxam
/oo are harvesters from the village Ben se Kamp.
They believe it is important to harvest the tubers carefully so that the plant does not die.
The harvesting of devil's claw offers only one small opportunity for the members of these conservancies to generate much-needed cash income.
Therefore, the creation of other income-generating opportunities is a priority.
“It is a medicine that goes out to help others and we are happy about this but we also want to ensure that we benefit fairly.
“Harvesting devil's claw is difficult, it is far, you need water and food and we take great care to harvest sustainably and produce a good quality product.
“The income from devil's claw is for many of our members the only source of income,” says Anna Mathias, a member of the N#a Jaqna Conservancy committee.
STAFF REPORTER
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