Namibian community harvests Devil’s Claw for sustainable livelihood

By: Ludorf Iyambo

In Namibia’s Kavango East Region, a small rural community is finding new hope by harvesting and selling Devil’s Claw, a native plant once largely ignored.

Devil’s Claw, known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and valued in global health markets, has long been harvested by local communities in the Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF).

For years, however, harvesters faced tough conditions including low prices, poor tools, and strict quality rules they struggled to meet which left them frustrated and financially at risk.

The situation, however, has started to improve, through a community-led effort supported by the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP). Funded by the Global Environment Facility and led by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) the program is being carried out in Namibia with help from the ministries of environment and agriculture.

A major step forward took place in April 2025, when the conservancy, with support from DSL-IP, negotiated a better price with its main buyer, Ecoso Dynamics. The price went up from N$44.00 to N$ 50.00 per kilogram. Of this, N$ 2.00 per kilogram goes to Namibia’s Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) system, which ensures local communities get a fair share from the use of natural resources.

“This is not just about money. It’s about dignity and long-term benefit. For the first time, we feel that our knowledge and our efforts are being respected in the marketplace.” said Max Muyemburuko, MN-CCF manager.

Despite some progress, challenges remain. Some harvesters started work before finishing their training, which led to lower-quality produce. To fix this, local leaders introduced rules and penalties to maintain quality and protect the conservancy’s reputation.

In 2024, 47 harvesters were trained in Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP+), and 77 more are being trained for the 2025 season. Training was done in the local spoken languages to make sure everyone understood. Harvesters also received better tools to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Gero Dickmann, Managing Director of Ecoso Dynamics, said these improvements are key for Namibia to compete globally. “Buyers want traceable, ethically sourced products. Devil’s Claw from Namibia can earn higher prices, but only if we meet top standards,” he said.

In 2024, MN-CCF earned N$40,202.00 from Devil’s Claw, with N$ 4,068.50 going to conservancy management. On average, each harvester earned N$ 1,500.00 helping them pay for essentials like food, education, and healthcare.