EWW recently received a $90,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to undertake a targeted study of the natural products subsector in Southern Africa. The seven-week study will assess the potential for developing natural products-based enterprises in Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

"Since Southern Africa's arid conditions are not well-suited to conventional agriculture and livestock production, natural products represent a potentially important economic alternative for the region," said EWW Interim President and CEO Ann Van Dusen. "The Ford Foundation's generous support will allow EWW to examine the challenges and opportunities to further developing a natural products subsector in Southern Africa. The conclusions and recommendations stemming from EWW's study will provide an important 'path forward' for local groups who want to pursue the commercial production of natural products."

EWW's natural products study in Southern Africa will include a seven-week field assessment to identify both natural products that have good potential for commercial production and the subnational regions where commercial production of natural products is most appropriate. EWW will draft a report detailing the findings from the study, as well as concrete recommendations for further developing the natural products subsector in Southern Africa. The study will conclude with a three-day workshop to discuss the report findings and recommendations.  Local groups and organizations that are currently involved in the natural products subsector will participate in the field assessment and conference.

The Ford Foundation's support of the study also will allow EWW to leverage its extensive experience in developing natural products-based enterprises in Asia. The study will introduce to the stakeholders in Southern Africa the tools and best practices employed in Asia by EWW and its affiliates, the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources and Appropriate Technology India.

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