African Forest Forum · Non-Timber Forest Products

Fair business development for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) based on local knowledge. Tamarindus in Kenya.

Duration

Ongoing

Region

Kenya

Lead

African Forest Forum

Funder

SDC / Formas

Project Manager

Doris Mutta

Project Overview & Context

Ukuzaji wa haki wa biashara kwa Bidhaa za Msitu Zisizo za Mbao na ambazo ni lishe, kulingana na ujuzi wa Kiasili. Mkwaju nchini Kenya

This initiative focuses on promoting sustainable and inclusive bio-enterprises founded on indigenous botanical knowledge, focusing on Tamarindus indica (Mkwaju) across arid and semi-arid landscapes of Kenya.

Background

English	Swahili
This study focuses on one key NTFP species Tamarindus indica (T. indica), with a high market potential in Africa. The project will increase the knowledge about key factors for sustainable, poverty-reducing business models for NTFPs, in particular T. indica, in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has the following sub-goals: Increase knowledge about implied local processes, resources, and skills. Identify criteria for sustainable, good-quality NTFP production. Define key components of sustainable, fair business models.	Utafiti huu unaangazia mti wa Mkwaju, wenye uwezo mkubwa wa soko barani Afrika. Mradi utaongeza ujuzi kuhusu vipengele muhimu vya miundo endelevu ya biashara ya kupunguza umaskini kwa Bidhaa za Msitu ambazo si Mbao, hasa Mkwaju katika Bara la Afrika. Una malengo madogo yafuatayo: Kuongeza maarifa kuhusu michakato ya ndani iliyodokezwa, rasilimali, na ujuzi. Kutambua vigezo vya uzalishaji endelevu na bora wa Bidhaa za Msitu ambazo si Mbao. Kubainisha vipengele muhimu vya miundo endelevu na ya haki ya biashara.

English

Swahili

This study focuses on one key NTFP species Tamarindus indica (T. indica), with a high market potential in Africa. The project will increase the knowledge about key factors for sustainable, poverty-reducing business models for NTFPs, in particular T. indica, in Sub-Saharan Africa. It has the following sub-goals:

Increase knowledge about implied local processes, resources, and skills.
Identify criteria for sustainable, good-quality NTFP production.
Define key components of sustainable, fair business models.

Utafiti huu unaangazia mti wa Mkwaju, wenye uwezo mkubwa wa soko barani Afrika. Mradi utaongeza ujuzi kuhusu vipengele muhimu vya miundo endelevu ya biashara ya kupunguza umaskini kwa Bidhaa za Msitu ambazo si Mbao, hasa Mkwaju katika Bara la Afrika. Una malengo madogo yafuatayo:

Kuongeza maarifa kuhusu michakato ya ndani iliyodokezwa, rasilimali, na ujuzi.
Kutambua vigezo vya uzalishaji endelevu na bora wa Bidhaa za Msitu ambazo si Mbao.
Kubainisha vipengele muhimu vya miundo endelevu na ya haki ya biashara.

Researchers

Principal Researchers:

Doris Mutta & Marie Louise Avana-Tientcheu — African Forest Forum (AFF)
Chemuku Wekesa — Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
Cecilia Mark-Herbert & Anders Roos — Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

Scientific Advisory Board

Dr. Cécile Bibiane Ndjebet — African Women's Network for Community Management of Forests (REFACOF)
Dr. Ben Chikamai — Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA)
Dr. Malin Beckman — Department of Urban and Rural Development, SLU, Sweden
Professor Björn Lundgren — Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry

Community Stakeholder Advisory Group

Ms Eva Mcharo — Taita Taveta
Mr. Daniel Garero — Kilifi
Ms Priscila Nasoro — Kilifi
Mr. Antony Mutie — Makueni
Ms Salma Juma — Mombasa

Project Activities

When?	Activity	Description
23 October 2023	Kibwezi, Makueni County: Workshop on business development for NTFPs based on local knowledge	The workshop brought together County government officials, environmentalists, and community-based group representatives to deliberate on sustainable utilization of NTFPs with a specific focus on Tamarindus indica.
December 2023 – January 2024	Consumer study on food & non-food forest products (NTFPs) in Mombasa, Kenya	The study analyzes uses, perceptions, and preferences for NTFPs in Mombasa among households and restaurants.
October 2023 – June 2024	Studying local knowledge and practices	The study records local knowledge and processes in the harvesting, value addition, and commercialization of NTFPs.
March – April 2024	From Forest to Market: Investigating Social Dimensions in Sustainable Business Models	MSc Thesis fieldwork by Bruna Jesus dos Santos (SLU), examining social dynamics within NTFP value chains in Kenya with an emphasis on gender inclusion.

Project Support: Supported by Formas, The Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development (Project number: 2022-00971) and SDC.

Project Resources & Publications

Anders Roos, Doris Mutta, Chemuku Wekesa, Sauda Abubakar, Okumu, Saggafu Mwanahalima, Marie Louise Avana-Tientcheu, Cecilia Mark-Herbert (2026). Leveraging urban consumer perceptions to strengthen marketing for baobab, coconut, and tamarind in Mombasa, Kenya. Trees, Forests and People, Volume 25, 101269. ISSN 2666-7193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2026.101269

Project Gallery

Tamarind fruit at Mombasa market — Photo: David Roos

Kibwezi meeting, 23 Oct 2023 — Photo: David Roos

AFF to Convene National Workshop on Fair and Inclusive Tamarind Business Development in Kenya

Date: 23–24 September 2026Venue: Mombasa, KenyaOrganizer: African Forest Forum (AFF), in partnership with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sc...

View Event →

Fair business development for Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) based on local knowledge. Tamarindus in Kenya.

Ukuzaji wa haki wa biashara kwa Bidhaa za Msitu Zisizo za Mbao na ambazo ni lishe, kulingana na ujuzi wa Kiasili. Mkwaju nchini Kenya

AFF to Convene National Workshop on Fair and Inclusive Tamarind Business Development in Kenya

About AFF

Contact Us