Project history Phase 1

In its first phase from Feb 2018 to Sept 2021, ABioSA worked with 13 biotrade value chains, based on national priority species for sustainable wild harvesting and cultivation, traditional knowledge, ecological sustainability, market demand, potential for value-adding and job creation, and participation of SMMEs and communities.

The project aim was to meet sustainable development goals, improve livelihoods of local communities through productive use of plant biodiversity, and increase permanent and seasonal jobs in biotrade value chains. It sought to boost economic value from biotrade products, prepare SMMEs to grow and become investment ready, and to overcome regulatory hurdles.

See the ABioSA phase I summary report

ABioSA supported sector development plans for six biotrade value chains: Aloe ferox, Honeybush, Buchu, Marula, Baobab and an essential oil cluster with Lippia javanica, Cape chamomile and Helichrysum. The selection was made jointly with ABioSA’s government partner the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), based on the national priority species list below.

Fifteen MSMEs were financially supported by the ABioSA Innovation Fund to access new markets, develop new products and increase capacity. Twenty-one MSMEs got technical support as part of the project’s human capacity development programme.

User-friendly information based on workshops, training and other engagements was collated into guides, case studies, technical briefs and training material for MSMEs and other biotrade stakeholders. This information is available in the knowledge resources section.

ABioSA helped MSMEs to respond to gaps identified for the EU cosmetics and Novel Food regulations and to access new markets. It supported the BioPANZA market access cluster.

A biotrade resource assessment and monitoring methodology workshop was hosted in collaboration with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); and communities were engaged to develop an understanding of biocultural community protocols for Marula, Aloe ferox and Buchu.

Target species and value chains in ABioSA phase I:

  • Baobab (Adansonia digitata)
  • Marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra)
  • Aloe (Aloe ferox)
  • Buchu (Agathosma spp.)
  • Honeybush (Cyclopia)
  • Imphepho (Helichrysum spp.)
  • Umsuzwane (Lippia javanica)
  • Cape chamomile (Eriocephalus spp.)
  • Rose geranium (Pelargonium var Rose)
  • Kalahari melon (Citrullus lanatus)
  • Mafura (Trichilia emetica)
  • Sour plum (Ximenia americana & X. caffra)
  • Wild ginger/African ginger