Alternative Income Generating Activities


	Commercial Cultivation of Medicinal Plants
	The uncontrolled collection and sale of large quantities of plant material from the forest leads to the destruction of many forest plants. Local communities, traditional medicinal herbalists and herbal medicine vendors popularly collect roots, bark and whole shrubs. The project has introduced a new action plan to support sustainable utilization of medicinal plants. Farmers have been mobilized to practice on-farm cultivation of selected medicinal plants. This results in reduced pressure on forest herbal medicine while providing alternative income to the local community. Candidate medicinal plants for on-farm cultivation and commercialization were selected on the basis of their product effectiveness, toxicity, propagation potential as well as product market evaluation. Extensive agronomic studies accompanied the selection process. The formulation of the plant products was refined by ICIPE in collaboration with the, Pharmacology Department, University of Nairobi and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). *Ocimum kilimandscharicum*

	*Preparation of a seed bed for Ocimum kilimandscharicum* by community members**



	*Harvesting of O. kilimandscharicum* by community members near Kakamega Forest**
	The forest adjacent farmers have undertaken the commercial cultivation of Ocimum kilimandscharicum and Mondia whytei. O. kilimandscharicum is an indigenous plant that matures within 6 months and is harvested after every 3 months without replanting. M. whytei is a vine, the roots of which have for centuries been extracted from Kakamega forest and other forests in Africa for sale and consumption as a flavouring agent and as medicine. This plant is getting scarce in Kakamega forest and hence besides income generation, cultivation of the plant by the community will also contribute to its conservation. M. whytei matures after 3 years.


	Ocimum Processing Harvested leaves of O. kilimandscharicum is being used in the production of essential oils for the manufacture of aroma therapeutic products by ICIPE and the University of Nairobi. The product treat colds, flu, muscular aches, pains and relief of insect bites. The product is sold widely in grocery stores in Kenya under the brand name "*Naturub*".

	*"Naturub"*

	*"Naturub" is on sale in the major chain of supermarkets in Kenya and in more than 62 other outlets* *Mondia whytei* Mondia whytei root (known locally as mukombera) is being formulated into a high value powder by KEFRI. The plant is used as a natural appetizer, enhancer of cerebral and peripheral blood circulation. It is a source of nutrients such as vitamin A, D, K and E, the minerals, magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium and protein while its aroma makes it useful as a food-flavoring agent. A total of 14,000 M. whytei have been planted by the forest adjacent communities in their farms. The farmers also plant endangered tree species such as Prunus africanus adjacent to the vine to support it.

	Mondia whytei is a slow growing vine that used to be abundant in Kakamega Forest but is now getting scarce

	*The roots of Mondia whytei* are harvested extensively from Kakamega Forest in a well organized trade leading to scarcity of the plant**

	Mondia whytei roots are sold in towns in Kenya and in other African countries. The roots are eaten by the young and old as a flavoring and appetizing agent

	*More than 500 members of the community adjacent to Kakamega Forest were trained in methods of cultivating M. whytei* on-farm**

	*Community members are shown how to prepare seedbeds for M. Whytei* seedlings**

	*Once mature, roots from the farmer's plots of M. whytei* will be purchased and used for commercial production of M. whytei in powder and other forms.**

	Home \| Objectives