Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and the Darwin Initiative

Allu Uararavi and Karen Nott both attended the conservancy bi-annual planning meeting held in Otjitanda from the 17th to 19th July 2017 to share information with the conservancies about the support from the Darwin Project that will involve training to conservancies and Traditional Authorities regarding the new Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Legislation of 27th June 2017.

Harvester meetings were held with Orupembe, Puros, Marienfluss and Sanitatas conservancy in August 2017. At these meetings the harvesters were informed about the new ABS legislation and the activities planned for the Darwin Project. There were also lengthy discussions and updates on the Joint Ventures (JV) with Esse for Myrothamnus spp. (ohandukaze) and Commiphora tenuipetiolata (omumgorwa). It was also discussed that the harvesting activities are done on a commercial basis and that new raw material can only be purchased when material or oil has been sold and a payment made into the revolving fund. Harvester registration lists were left with the buying point managers so that harvesters wanting to participate in activities in 2017 and 2018 harvesting season could register. About 52 men and 61 women took part in the meetings.

An intake of Commiphora resin was done in Puros and Orupembe conservancies in April and May. An amount of N$ 37 760 was paid out to 33 male and 26 female harvesters.

About 130 harvesters from Orupupa Conservancy participated in preparation meetings and training for Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) harvesting for 2017. The annual price was reviewed and the buyer increased the price to N$ 45/kg. The registered harvesters received their permits from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET).