Luqman Cloete
23 February 2007
Keetmanshoop — THE Hoodia gordonni, an indigenous plant found in certain areas of southern Africa, has the potential to boost Namibia's socio-economic growth, says Environment Minister Willem Konjore.
"Because of the enormity of the international market demands, Hoodia has the potential to contribute to the Namibian economic development in general and rural development in particular," Konjore said.
He made these remarks at the opening of a two-day workshop for Hoodia growers at Keetmanshoop yesterday.
The workshop's aim is to develop guidelines for the development of a sustainable Hoodia industry.
However, Konjore was quick to warn Hoodia growers that the skyrocketing demand poses negative consequences for the survival of the species in its natural range.
"Populations of this rare natural resource are being negatively impacted by the high demand," he said.
According to Konjore, the growing demand resulted in numerous incidents of illegal harvesting and attempts to illegally export large amounts of Hoodia material to European markets.
"We need to find a way to address the root causes of Hoodia's decline before the situation becomes dire," he said.
The cactus-like plant, known as !Khowab to the Nama community, is sought after across Europe and America for its appetite-suppressant qualities.
Pharmaceutical companies are currently processing these plants into a powder form which can be added directly to liquids or taken as a capsule.
The bitter-tasting, prickly plant has been classified as a protected species in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), to prevent its exploitation through wild harvesting and over-utilisation.
Currently, no export of Hoodia material is authorised in Namibia but illegal trade is rife, with seeds and plant shoots being smuggled out of the country for cultivation and production purposes.
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