Development of Sustainable and Inclusive Value Chains for Non-Timber Forest Products in Southeastern Kenya

Overview

The project aims to develop sustainable and inclusive value chains for honey, tamarind and coconut oil in Taita Hills and Rabai Kaya forests in Kenya through: (1) mapping NTFP value chains, supply chain actors and institutional frameworks to inform development of sustainable value chains for honey, tamarind and coconut oil; (2) assessing the effectiveness of existing NTFP partnerships and existing mechanisms for technology and knowledge transfer and marketing of NTFPs; (3) developing innovative and inclusive business models to enhance productivity and profitability of honey, tamarind and coconut oil enterprises; and (4) developing a framework for gender-responsive and inclusive NTFP value chains.
The project will contribute to improved rural livelihoods through income generation and improved capacity of community groups to undertake successful nature-based enterprises. It will also establish frameworks for enhanced women and youth participation in sustainable NTFP value chains, and contribute to the development of inclusive, innovative, and functional collaborative arrangements for enhanced productivity and profitability of NTFP enterprises. Furthermore, a small percentage of the funds generated from NTFP enterprises will be channelled to support conservation activities in the Taita Hills and Kaya forests. Economic benefits derived from honey, tamarind and coconut oil enterprises will provide further incentives for local communities to actively participate in the conservation of Taita Hills and Rabai Kaya forests. The project will also develop appropriate dissemination tools and approaches, including policy dialogues and a Community of Practice, which will bring on board diverse actors and establish a database and knowledge-sharing platforms to facilitate stakeholder engagement and market linkages.

• (1) Stakeholder inception workshop
• (2) Surveys in Taita Hills and Kaya forests to map products value and supply chains actors
• (3) Survey to analyse existing business models at production and processing levels
• (4) Key informant/expert interviews with key value chain actors
• (5) Focus group discussions with key supply chain actors
• (6) Data processing
• (7) Hold meetings with NTFP groups
• (8) Conduct peer learning and exposure visits
• (9) Training of community NTFP groups on sustainable supply chains
• (10) Developing a framework for supply of NTFPs and establish necessary linkages
• (11) Develop market linkages with key industry players
• (12) Develop guidelines and dissemination tools
• (13) Knowledge sharing and information dissemination platforms
• (14) Conduct stakeholder feedback workshop at the end of the project