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1.2 NORTHERN CAPE BIOPROSPECTING RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT HUB

Succulent: kanna (Sceletium tortuosum)

Output 1.2 of the UNDP/GEF6 Project, is being implemented by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), which aims to support bioprospecting R&D in the Northern Cape, by boosting the local bioprospecting economy through establishing a strategically located 'bioproducts R&D hub'.

The outlook is to support the province and country to sustainably transition from wild to cultivation supply of market relevant quality ingredients. The hub will also support community based organisations to ensure ABS compliant value chain development.

The hub will represent the central point where project activities will be undertaken and include three key phases:

PHASE 1: ESTABLISH THE HUB

The establishment of the hub, requires securing the site, establishing relevant infrastructure and obtaining and producing relevant biological material.

PHASE 2: CONDUCT RESEARCH AND PRODUCE OUTPUTS

Research and production of outputs involves the development and implementation of yearly research plans for the 3 priority species as well as the production of seedlings. 

The research will aim to develop best management practise (BMP) documents that inform and support communities in key cultivation practises on the focal species. The key areas of research include:

• Cultivation and harvesting planning (testing approaches, techniques and methodologies)
• Grading, traceability, quality control and phyto-sanitary systems
• Agro-processing support and quality control for product application

The production of seedlings will aim to supply to agricultural communities in the following phase.

PHASE 3: COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Phase 3 aims to support value chains for sustainable production in local communities in NC. This will be done through creating market linkages through the development of a website and by providing support services to community projects through which i) the various BMP's will be transferred at a regular basis ii) seedlings will be supplied.

PROJECT MANAGER

Professor Stephen Amoo, ARC

RESOURCES / USEFUL LINKS and IMAGE CREDITS