Growing the Carrion Flower for protection

NAMIBIA is conducting cultivation trials to get small-scale farmers involved in growing the Carrion Flower (Hoodia) for commercial trade.

This was revealed by Environment and Tourism Minister Philemon Malima in the capital on Monday when he officially opened the meeting of the Plants Committee of the United Nations Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (Cites). Malima said the cultivation of Hoodia for commercial purposes would reduce the pressure of wild harvesting and prevent over-utilisation.He said it was vital that the plant was protected as it grew very slowly and it’s harvesting required removing the entire plant – as opposed to just part of the plant.”I am convinced that the survival of our plants in the face of excessive trade can only be realised with the assistance of our partners in conservation,” said Malima.He said Namibia’s indigenous plants had been, and continued to be, used for traditional purposes, but, through globalisation, pressure was now put on certain species to support global demands.Hoodia has appetite-suppressing properties and is found only in the arid regions of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.It has dominated discussions in the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and the United States over the past five years.Malima said he noted with much appreciation that the Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum), which is Namibia’s most exported plant, was amongst the plants to be discussed at the meeting.The Minister of Environment added that Namibia was strongly committed to bio-diversity conservation and the use of its biological resources in a sustainable manner.The Cites Plants Committee advises Cites member countries on biological and trade information related to plant species:on when certain species are subject to unsustainable trade, and recommends remedial action known as the Significant Trade Process.The meeting, which is being attended by delegates from Cites member states, ends tomorrow.Namibia is an active Cites member.Malima said the cultivation of Hoodia for commercial purposes would reduce the pressure of wild harvesting and prevent over-utilisation. He said it was vital that the plant was protected as it grew very slowly and it’s harvesting required removing the entire plant – as opposed to just part of the plant. “I am convinced that the survival of our plants in the face of excessive trade can only be realised with the assistance of our partners in conservation,” said Malima. He said Namibia’s indigenous plants had been, and continued to be, used for traditional purposes, but, through globalisation, pressure was now put on certain species to support global demands. Hoodia has appetite-suppressing properties and is found only in the arid regions of Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. It has dominated discussions in the pharmaceutical industry in Europe and the United States over the past five years. Malima said he noted with much appreciation that the Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum), which is Namibia’s most exported plant, was amongst the plants to be discussed at the meeting. The Minister of Environment added that Namibia was strongly committed to bio-diversity conservation and the use of its biological resources in a sustainable manner. The Cites Plants Committee advises Cites member countries on biological and trade information related to plant species:on when certain species are subject to unsustainable trade, and recommends remedial action known as the Significant Trade Process. The meeting, which is being attended by delegates from Cites member states, ends tomorrow. Namibia is an active Cites member.