Hoodia Gordonii, known for its remarkable potential in remedying obesity in Europe and America, holds an immense potential in helping towards alleviating poverty and eliminate unemployment in Namibia and throughout the region
The farmers in the rural communities could gain a sustainable and modest income from the proceeds of sale of Hoodia materials to international pharmaceutical companies.
Hoodia Gordonii, a succulent plant primarily grown in South Africa, is being manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and has been classified as a protected species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or C.I.T.E.S. to prevent its extinction through exploitation.
In Namibia, Hoodia is being traded illegally as no export has been authorized. Hoodia seeds and plants shoots are smuggled of the country for cultivation and production purposes somewhere else.
If this illegal practice is not stopped, it may cause the death of the Hoodia industry.
The Namibian government has established the Hoodia Growers Association of Namibia, or HOGRAN, to fight the illegal trade of Hoodia. Its other functions are to monitor and protect the plant and negotiate with pharmaceutical companies on future sale prices and export of Hoodia materials.
According to Hogran, at least two-thirds of Hoodia products in the United States and Europe are fake and do not contain P57, which is found only in genuine Hoodia plants from Southern Africa.
The Convention of Biological Diversity, or CBD, indigenous groups are entitled to a share of the profits from the commercial use of local products. For instance, the San community has not financially benefited from the numerous Hoodia products already available on the Internet and in pharmacies around the world.
Several organizations in Southern Africa condemn the illegal trade of Hoodia. The Working Group of Indigenous Minorities in Southern Africa, or WIMSA, have advised governments in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana to immediately take actions to stop illegal use of Hoodia by pharmaceutical companies. They believe that the San people must be paid for their ancient expertise.
Namibia, on the other hand, is one of the largest producers of Hoodia in the world. The plants grows in abundance in the wilds of Karas, Khomas, Kunene, Erongo and Hardap regions of Namibia.
Hogran is planning to make intensive assistance to interested local producers by giving them the proper training, equipment and seeds.
With appropriate knowledge, Hoodia farming can be fully developed to help improve quality of life among rural communities. Hoodia industry is a multi-million dollar industry which could help the unemployed, elderly, or even the disabled folks in Namibia and across the region, earn a living and become better citizens of the world.
Ma. Roma Agsalud http://primeherbal.com/hoodia |
