Combining land restoration and livelihoods - examples from Niger
Session 3.3 indigenous trees incubators in kenya
1. “Trees For Life: Accelerating the Impact of Agroforestry”
World Congress on Agroforestry
Delhi, India
10-14 February 2014
Anja Oussoren
Ivory Consult Ltd.
“...for a better world.”
Indigenous Trees Incubators in Agro-
Ecological Zones in Kenya for the
Commercialization of Nutritional Foods
2. Outline
Introduction
Indigenous Trees in Africa
• Opportunities and Gaps
The Innovation Strategy
• Indigenous Trees Incubators (ITIs)
• Seven Step Strategy
Collaboration
• The Hub
• KARI
Closing Remarks
3. Introduction
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease,
stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are
the leading cause of mortality in the world…………. Common,
modifiable risk factors underlie the major NCDs. They include
tobacco, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, insufficient
physical activity, overweight/obesity, raised blood pressure,
raised blood sugar and raised cholesterol. The NCD threat can
be overcome using existing knowledge. The solutions are highly
cost-effective. Comprehensive and integrated action at country
level, led by governments, is the means to achieve success.
(WHO, 2011).
4. Introduction
At the same time, trees are essentially pharmacies. People in
Africa harvest, consume and market the fruits, nuts, vegetables,
and teas from indigenous plants, 2/3 of which are trees and
shrubs. These products are used by at least 80% of Africans
because they are effective, accessible, and affordable. They have
a long history of preventative (nutritional) and curative purposes.
Maswa Town, Tanzania. Photo: AO, 1995
9. Name of Tree Family of Tree Known use (Fruit /
Medicine)
Stored at Kenya National Gene Bank
(Yes / No)
Adansonia digitata Bombaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Azanza garckeana Malvaceae Fruit, Medicine Yes
Balanites aegyptica Balanitaceae Fruit, Medicine Yes
Canthium burttii Rubiaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Diospyros fischeri Ebenaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Lantana camara Verbenaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Sclerocarya birrea Anacardiaceae Fruit, Medicine Yes
Sclerocarya caffra Anacardiaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Tamarindus indica Fabaceae Fruit, Medicine Yes
Vitex mombassae Verbenaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Ximenia caffra Olacaceae Fruit, Medicine No
Ziziphus mauritiana Rhamnaceae Fruit Yes
Priority Indigenous Trees as Stored at the National Gene Bank in Kenya
Indigenous Trees in Africa
Conservation Gap
10. Kitale County, Kenya. LW, KARI, 2012
Supply and
demand gaps
The Daily Nation, 2 February 2014
11. Indigenous Trees in Africa
Nutritional and Medicinal value gaps
• Knowledge, appreciation, belief
Kitale County, Kenya. LW, KARI, 2012
12. Longonot, Kenya. AO, 2013
Innovation Strategy
Objective:
• To conserve the indigenous trees in Kenya while
commercializing their products for improved human
health, through the establishment of Indigenous
Trees Incubators in each
of the agro-ecological
zones of Kenya.
13. Innovation Strategy
Seven Step Strategy (long term, integrated)
1. Ethnobotanical surveys
2. Conservation of Germplasm
3. Identification of Desirable Traits
4. Development of Propagation Protocols
5. Regeneration of Indigenous Trees
6. Development of Nutritional Products
7. Benefits sharing
Each Step with Objectives and Expected Results
ITI
14. Innovation Strategy
Inspired by:
Research in Miombo, Tanzania
• University of Guelph and ICRAF
Medicinal Plant Incubator, South Africa
Gap between results of research and
sustainability in the market place.
Photo: Roodeplaat, RSA. AO, 2008
18. Closing Remarks
Pilot at two KARI centres for proof of concept
ITI Strategy to be scaled up in other parts of Africa
Highly collaborative due to systems approach
Brings together science, business and people
ITIs is an innovative, multi-pronged approach for public
and private sector to pool their resources together to fight
poverty and disease.
