Roots of Change: How a Namibian Community is Turning Devil’s Claw into a Source of Resilience

Livayi, Namibia – In the small village of Livayi, tucked away in Namibia’s Kavango East Region, the once-overlooked roots of Devil’s Claw (scientifically known as Harpagophytum spp.) are now fueling a movement for sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity conservation and community empowerment.

For years, community harvesters in the Muduva Nyangana Conservancy and Community Forest (MN-CCF) worked long hours digging up the medicinal plant, prized globally for its anti-inflammatory properties, but received little reward. Low prices, lack of proper harvesting tools, and inconsistent compliance with quality standards left them discouraged and vulnerable.

The transformation began with the intervention of the Dryland Sustainable Landscapes Impact Program (DSL-IP) Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.

The project is part of a broader global initiative aimed at reducing, reversing, and preventing land degradation in dryland ecosystems. In Namibia, it promotes sustainable land management practices that enhance both community livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.

Towards sustainable and inclusive value chains

The DSL-IP supports countries in addressing land degradation in dryland ecosystems, while promoting sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation and resilient livelihoods. In Namibia, one of the project’s key objectives is to support communities in turning nature-based value chains into sustainable and viable income streams.

In the case of Muduva Nyangana Conservancy, the project is partly focused on turning the harvesting of Devil’s Claw into a reliable and sustainable income stream, while also ensuring that harvesting practices do not degrade the fragile ecosystem.

These efforts came into sharp focus in mid-April 2025, when MN-CCF hosted a key price negotiation meeting with off-taker Ecoso Dynamics and the DSL-IP Project Management Unit (PMU). It wasn’t just a meeting; it was a turning point.

Devil’s Claw, valued for its medicinal properties, is becoming a vital source of income for rural communities in Namibia. Here a community member digs for the world renowned plant ©MEFT/Erikka Mokanya

Armed with improved knowledge, confidence, and technical support from the PMU of the DSL-IP, the conservancy successfully negotiated a price increase from N$44/kg to N$50/kg (approximately from *USD 2.38 to *USD 2.70). Importantly, a portion of the new price, NAD 2 per kilogram, is earmarked for Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism. This ensures that communities contributing to the sustainable use of local genetic resources also receive a fair share of the benefits derived from them.

"This is not just about money - it’s about dignity and long-term benefit," said Max Muyemburuko, MN-CCF Manager. "For the first time, we feel that our knowledge and our effort are being respected in the marketplace."

While the new price marks an important milestone, the conservancy recognizes that more work is needed to consistently achieve premium prices on the market. Strengthening quality control, expanding training, and building stronger buyer relationships remain key priorities on the path to a more competitive and resilient value chain.

Harvesting with Care and Compliance

Through support from the DSL-IP project, 47 harvesters have received training in Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP+) in 2024 and 77 harvesters for the 2025 harvesting season. Training was conducted in the local language to ensure accessibility and impact. In addition, the project supported the harvesters with appropriate harvesting tools, enabling them to collect roots more effectively and sustainably, more support is expected this year from the project side.

A Proud harvester from the Muduva Nyangana Conservancy showcases freshly collected Devil’s Claw roots. ©MEFT/Erikka Mokanya

Despite progress, some challenges persist. A few harvesters began collecting before completing the training, resulting in downgraded or rejected produce. In response, local leaders agreed to implement sanctions for non-compliance, reinforcing collective accountability and protecting market credibility.

Ecoso Dynamics, the key buyer working with MN-CCF, welcomed the changes and emphasized their importance for tapping into global markets. "Buyers want traceable, ethically sourced products," said Gero Dickmann, Managing Director of Ecoso. "Namibia’s Devil’s Claw has the potential to reach top-tier international shelves, but only if we meet the highest standards."

Shared responsibility and benefits

In 2024, MN-CCF reported N$40,202 (approx. *USD 2,170) in total earnings from Devil’s Claw sales, with NAD 4,068.50 (approx. *USD 220) allocated to conservancy management fees. On average, each harvester collected 34 Kg, equivalent to at least NAD 1,500 (approx. USD 81). While modest, these earnings contribute significantly to household needs such as food, education and healthcare in rural areas.

All proceeds for the conservancy are reinvested in training, compliance oversight and broader community development, creating a virtuous cycle of sustainability and self-reliance.

Martin Kafuro of the Gciriku Traditional Authority closed the meeting with a strong message: “Sustainability is our shared responsibility. Ecoso and the conservancy must walk this road together.”

From dryland roots to pathways of resilience, the story of Muduva Nyangana proves that when local communities are empowered with the right knowledge, tools, and fair partnerships, they can turn environmental challenges into economic opportunity, while safeguarding their natural heritage for generations to come.

*Exchange rate used: USD 1 = NAD 18.526; correct as at 12 May 2025.