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% ANDIROBA Economic value Andiroba oil is one of the most widely sold The uses and economic value of andiroba natural remedies in Amazonia. The oil industry (Carapa guianensis Aubl.) has its origins in the city of Cametá, in the Andiroba trees have straight trunks that can Brazilian state of Pará, and its reach 30 m in height, often with buttress commercialization generates significant roots. Growing throughout the Amazon employment and income throughout basin, Central America and Africa, andiroba Amazonia. In Cametá, children eagerly collect prefers seasonally flooded forests and the and sell andiroba seeds. Street children relate margins of rivers, but is also found in terra that 4 kg earns them US$0.10 – enough to buy firme forests. a packet of crackers. In Salvaterra, on Marajó A powerful anti-inflammatory medicinal Island, which lies at the mouth of the Amazon oil extracted from the seeds of andiroba is River, unemployed men, women and children one of the most widely used natural comb the beach for seeds washed down from Until recently, argan was a rare product remedies in the Amazon. Andiroba oil can inland rivers. In 2004, they could sell 1 kg grown only in the Atlas Mountains and mend badly sprained ankles, repel (about 55 seeds) for US$0.07 to companies in traditionally made by Moroccan tribes, as mosquitoes and is used in veterinary São Paulo. In 2009, in the Belém market, 1 litre the argan tree could not flourish outside medicine to cure the infected cuts of of andiroba oil costs on average US$6. Stores Morocco. animals. Indigenous groups in Brazil have often buy the oil during the harvest when Today, the Israeli company Sivan is traditionally painted their skin with a mixture prices are low, hold on to the oil and sell it out developing Argan 100 – a superstrain of of andiroba oil and the bright red pigment of season at a higher price. argan that is tolerant of the Mediterranean from the seeds of urucum (Bixa orellana). The oil is also in demand internationally climate and can produce ten times more Andiroba is also valued for its bark and and is exported to Europe and the United nuts than the average tree in Morocco, the wood. The bark can be made into a tea to States of America. From 1974 to 1985, company says. Based on 25 years of field fight fevers, worms, bacteria and tumours. In between 200 and 350 tonnes of oil were research, Sivan's agronomists found a way addition to its lightness and durability, exported annually, mainly from the Brazilian to produce the oil from their own groves andiroba wood is bitter and oily, deterring states of Maranhão, Pará and Amapá. In 2009, and refuted the widespread legend attacks by termites and caterpillars. in the United States of America, an 8-oz associated with the production of the oil. Because the deep, golden-hued wood is of (227-g) bottle of andiroba oil can be According to this legend, argan oil can only superior quality, andiroba is considered to be purchased over the Internet for between be processed from the nut – which looks on a par with mahogany. For this reason, it is US$23 and US$40. One proof of andiroba’s like an unripe olive – after its hard shell increasingly difficult to find in logged areas. popularity is the number of soaps, creams, has been removed via a goat's digestive oils and candles made from andiroba on the tract. Sivan’s chief agronomist Chaim Oren market in the Amazon region and throughout says there is in fact no need for goats to the world. In the supermarkets of Belém, the perform the job of intermediaries. “I was soaps can cost from US$1.50 to US$5, while exposed to argan trees many years ago, body oil (50 ml) costs US$3. A 150 g bag of and we did a breeding session in Israel,” andiroba bark costs US$1. Oren says. “We pollinated trees with other Whereas supermarkets, pharmacies and trees. Ours are resistant to soil disease, corner vendors in Belém sell andiroba, in the giving these trees a steady yield every western Amazonian state of Acre andiroba oil year.” is hard to find on the market: few To date, about 2 500 argan trees have communities in Acre produce the oil, and been planted in the Ashkelon, Arava and those that do generally produce it for local Negev regions in Israel. consumption. (Source: FAO, 2011. Fruit trees This commercial endeavour may also be and useful plants in Amazonian life.) beneficial for the argan trees in Morocco, MOSQUITO REPELLENT AND DENGUE as competition with the local market could FEVER reduce the tree’s chances of extinction. %ARGAN OIL The UN conservation body United Nations Andiroba oil can be used as a repellent Educational, Scientific and Cultural against gnats and mosquitoes. It also Rare Moroccan argan oil – now made in Organization (UNESCO) has set up reduces inflammation caused by insect, Israel reserves to protect the dwindling argan snake and bat bites. Studies by the Argan oil, rich in vitamin E and fatty acids, trees in Morocco. Research Institute of the State of has become the sensation of the decade, Sivan, founded in 2007 and based in Amapá (IEPA) discovered that candles sought after by chemists, dieticians, hair Ramat Hasharon, Israel, sells argan oil to made from the dry remnants of salons, chefs and cosmeticians. The only wholesalers, with small quantities of andiroba seeds repel the mosquito that problem with argan is its availability: the leftovers sold online. Their eventual plan carries dengue, Aedes aegypti. argan tree takes 15 years to yield nuts and is to sell Argan 100 to other countries. one tree can yield only a couple of litres of (Source: NoCamels, 8 February 2012 in oil, making production costly and limited. ENN Daily Newsletter.)

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% ARTEMISIA chemical reactor can produce 200 g of artemisinin per day, and unpublished Malaria hopes rise as chemists produce results indicate potential yields of up to MUGWORT USES IN NEPAL cheap artemisinin 800 g per day. "If we scale this up, in six The cost of the life-saving antimalarial months we will be at a point where • Mugwort has a high spiritual value in drug artemisinin could be lowered by a 400 reactors (that run continuously) will be Nepal; it is one of the most religious third, with a new method that utilizes a sufficient to produce the entire world's plants and is offered in almost all waste product from the current plant supply. Our reactors … could shave the ritual celebrations. Mugwort and extraction process, according to total cost of the drug by a third." flower are synonyms. Whenever new researchers. Large-scale production could start in as houses are built, mugwort foliage is Artemisinin is sourced from the early as six months' time if negotiations left on the ridge of the roof to cultivated plant Artemisia annua (sweet with pharmaceutical companies are protect the houses from evil. It is also wormwood), but demand is outstripping successful, Seeberger said. (Source: used extensively in the spiritual supply because artemisinin combination SciDev.Net Weekly Update, 23–29 January treatment of patients; local healers therapies (ACTs) are now recommended as 2012.) use the foliage to chase evil away a frontline treatment for malaria by the from the patient’s body. The World Health Organization (WHO). Multiple uses of Artemisia spp. in Japan mugwort flower has a special The artemisinin extraction process and Nepal importance during Dashain (the produces around ten times as much A recent study has investigated the largest Hindu festival in artemisinic acid as it does artemisinin multiple uses of Artemisia species in September/October). Elderly people itself. But converting the artemisinic acid Japan and Nepal. bless the young by putting mugwort precursor into the chemically more Artemisia, a shrubby species, is flowers/foliage on their heads. complex artemisinin molecule has proved distributed widely in different geographic • Mugwort is the most reliable and a "formidable challenge" for chemists, regions. The International Plant Names accessible medicine for rural people in researchers noted. They have now found a Index showed 2 058 entries for the genus Nepal for the treatments of cuts and quick and easy way of converting this acid Artemisia, reflecting the richness of the wounds. The fresh leaves are into artemisinin. They used continuous species and its varieties. Artemisia squeezed and applied. flow chemistry, which involves passing vulgaris and A. montana are widely • Mugwort is very effective against chemicals down a tube to increase distributed in the mountain regions of leeches. Those who have to walk or reaction times, efficiency and safety. This Nepal and Japan, respectively. These two work in leech-prone areas rub the differs from traditional “batch” chemistry species look alike in their appearance, size leaves on their skin. Mugwort foliage where chemicals are mixed together in a and overall site characteristics; however, is kept in rooms to get rid of fleas. large pot, and it has allowed researchers genetic closeness cannot be claimed • Brooms made from mugwort foliage to simplify one "crucial step" required to without further investigation. are thought to be effective in produce the molecule. The vernacular name for the Artemisia maintaining a healthy environment Peter Seeberger – director at the Max species is mugwort and the study by repelling insects. Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, considered that this represents both the • Mugwort is used as a green manure Germany, and co-author of the study species cited above. Mugwort is a common and also as an insecticide. The green published in Angewandte Chemie plant and has been a valuable species for foliage is used to mulch seedbeds. International Edition last week – told spiritual and material uses. It is called Stems are used as supports for young SciDev.Net that one refrigerator-sized yomogi in Japanese and noya in the Ainu bean plants, probably presuming that language, and pati or titepati (bitter-leaf they protect the young sprouts by plant) in Nepal. The study listed the their insecticidal element. different uses of these plants in Japan • Mugwort is goats’ favourite fodder, (mainly in Hokkaido, the northernmost and thus contributes to rural island of Japan) and Nepal. economy in the hilly regions of Nepal. Studies in Japan have confirmed that the chemical contents of mugwort are in line with indigenous practices, where certain foods and medicine are developed from the plant, clearly indicating the in converting the so-called weed to reliability of indigenous knowledge. commercial use, hereby boosting the Consequently, mugwort now has economy of rural people in Nepal by commercial uses in Japan whereas, generating employment and income. because of lack of knowledge and (Contributed by: Krishna H. Gautam, technology, in Nepal it is still considered a Chieko Imakawa and Teiji Watanabe, weed and confined to Graduate School of Environmental Earth traditional/household use. In this context, Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, transferring Japanese knowledge and Japan. Fax: + 81 11 706 2213; e-mail: technology to Nepal could be instrumental [email protected]/)

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%BAMBOO is worth an estimated US$1 billion/year and now transferring China’s advanced bamboo employs over 60 000 people in more than charcoal technologies to sub-Saharan Bamboo: a green biofuel for Africa? 1 000 businesses. Africa. (Source: Asian Scientist Newsroom, Bamboo may be the key to combating soil Together with Chinese partners, including 2 December 2011.) degradation and massive deforestation in Nanjing Forestry University and the Wenzhao Africa as an alternative source of energy. Bamboo Charcoal Company, INBAR’s Bamboo Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative wins Sub-Saharan Africa has over 2.75 million ha of as Sustainable Biomass Energy initiative is German Government award bamboo forest, equivalent to roughly 4 percent The Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative has been of the continent’s total forest cover. A selected as a winner of the 2011 Impact partnership among African nations and Business Award, in recognition of the communities, the International Network for PANDAS FIND SCOTTISH BAMBOO innovativeness of its business model and Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), and China are JUST TOO HARD TO STOMACH environmental responsiveness. The award, working to replace forest wood, on which initiated by the German Government through 80 percent of the rural population in sub- Two giant pandas removed from public the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Saharan Africa depends for its fuel needs, with display at Edinburgh Zoo are suffering Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), rewards enterprises bamboo charcoal and fuelwood. from a Scottish form of “Delhi belly” as that apply innovative business solutions in At the 17th Conference of the Parties they adjust to eating bamboo grown combating climate change. (COP17) to the United Nations Framework outside their native China, according to a The initiative seeks to break the status quo Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in leading veterinary surgeon. The United in the development of a bicycle industry in Durban, South Africa today, initial successes Kingdom’s only giant pandas arrived in Ghana and train people with little or no with bamboo charcoal in Ethiopia and Ghana the capital last month, but Yang Guang, education in the manufacturing and have prompted calls across the continent for the male, became ill two weeks ago with assembling of bamboo bikes. It is also greater investment in this “green biofuel” that a bad bout of colic. spearheading the production of stable, can fight deforestation and mitigate climate Mathew Brash, Vice-President of the cheaper and reliable bikes in Ghana to change. “Bamboo, the perfect biomass grass, British Veterinary Zoological Society, said reduce the country’s dependence on fossil grows naturally across Africa and presents a last night that there was no great cause fuels while increasing the economic activities viable, cleaner and sustainable alternative to for concern and likened the pandas’ of rural Ghanaians. wood fuel,” said Dr J. Coosje Hoogendoorn, medical problems to a “travel tummy With the award, the German Government Director General of INBAR. “Without such an bug”. “Unlike some animals, pandas are will complement the work of the Ghana alternative, wood charcoal will remain the complicated eaters and very particular Bamboo Bikes Initiative in promoting primary household energy source for decades about what they eat and need a high- economic development in Ghana while to come – with disastrous consequences,” Dr fibre diet. Whatever the bamboo they providing substantial environmental benefits. Hoogendoorn said. were eating in China will be different Co-founded by two students, Bernice Burning wood has a significant impact on from the bamboo they are eating in Dapaah and Kwame Kyei of the Christian the climate, with African households releasing Scotland. In other words, their gut floor is Service University College and Ternopil State the equivalent of 6.7 billion tonnes of adjusting to living in Scotland. They are Medical University, respectively, the initiative greenhouse gas into the atmosphere by 2050, getting used to Scottish bugs, which are seeks to take advantage of the abundant raw according to estimates by scientists. not bad bugs, just different bugs.” bamboo materials in Ghana to manufacture In terms of health, the burning of fuelwood It is expected that the pair will eat up high-quality bamboo bikes suitable for export claims the lives of an estimated two million to 18 000 kg of bamboo every year during markets as well as for the road conditions in people every year – mostly women and their stay in the capital. In November, The Ghana, and affordable for the poor. The social children – who inhale the smoke. Continued Scotsman reported that Edinburgh Zoo enterprise project designs, develops and widespread indoor use of forest wood charcoal will pay around £70 000 every year to markets multipurpose bikes for the as a household fuel could cause ten million import some 85 percent of that bamboo transportation of passengers, commodities premature deaths by 2030. from a farm near Amsterdam in the or as an ambulance. While it takes 7–10 tonnes of raw wood to Netherlands. The firm also provides Through the provision of a sustainable and produce one tonne of wood charcoal, the entire bamboo for pandas in Vienna and Berlin. low-carbon transport solution, the Ghana bamboo plant, including the stem, branch and (Source: The Scotsman, 30 January 2012.) Bamboo Bikes Initiative aims at raising its rhizome, can be used to produce charcoal, awareness about environmentally friendly making it highly resource efficient, with limited habits, while increasing the economic and wastage. Its high heating value also makes it employment opportunities of rural people – an efficient fuel. Furthermore, bamboo is one especially youth. (Source: JoyOnline [Ghana], of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, 25 January 2012.) and tropical bamboos can be harvested after just three years, rather than the two to six Bamboo use in the Pacific decades needed to generate a timber forest. Bamboo has a range of benefits that make it China is a global leader in the production excellent for developing small-scale and use of bamboo charcoal, made through productive enterprises. It is widely used the controlled burning of bamboo in kilns, throughout the Pacific for temporary building whether traditional, metal or brick. The sector structures, rafts, harvesting poles, fishing

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rods, food and water containers, food tongs Marketing studies would be needed to define and handicrafts. Bamboo species are most potential products with viable markets. often harvested from the wild, such as the BAMBOO SHOOTS (Source: A. Benton, L. Thomson, P. Berg and secondary forests in Melanesia. In Hawai‘i, S. Ruskin. Bamboo (various species). In C.R. wild bamboo stands are commonly harvested Bamboo shoots are usually harvested Elevitch (ed.). 2011. Specialty crops for for fishing poles, edible shoots and some when they reach 30–60 cm and are Pacific islands. Permanent Agriculture construction applications, as well as for craft peeled before cooking. Shoots of many Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii.) work and kadomatsu (traditional New Year of the clump-forming tropical species decoration). It is little used for food except to contain high levels of cyanogens, and a small extent by Southeast Asian must be boiled well prior to % BARK immigrants. In the highlands of Papua New consumption. Guinea, the shoots of Neololeba atra are Bamboo shoots may be consumed French maritime pine bark extract hailed sometimes consumed. Nastus elatus (New fresh on the day of harvest, in which as new beauty product Guinea sweet shoot) is an outstanding edible case no post-harvest handling is A new wonder cream containing tree bark shoot that can be eaten with minimal required, beyond removing obviously extract may have just brought us one step preparation. damaged and below-par shoots prior closer to finding the secret to eternal youth. Local markets. With the exception of minor to sale. In Hawai‘i, fresh shoots are The extract, from French maritime pine, uses in packaging and handicrafts, bamboo harvested and placed in cold water for could slow down the signs of ageing, products are not known to be sold in local rapid temperature reduction and researchers say. It has shown to improve markets in the Pacific (in Fiji or Polynesia). In stored at 4° C overnight. They are then skin elasticity by 25 percent and hydration Hawai‘i, bamboo is utilized on a small scale trimmed and cleaned and packed in by 8 percent. for building and for human consumption. styrofoam boxes with an ice pack and In tests reported in the journal Skin Export markets. No export market from the transported to market at 10–12° C. For Pharmacology and Physiology, 20 healthy Pacific islands is known to exist, but the storage, shoots can be peeled and women aged 55 to 68 were treated with potential is significant, with worldwide boiled for two to three hours, Pycnogenol®, a branded supplement market in traded bamboo products at about continually refreshing the water. They containing the antioxidant. They were US$2.5 billion. are then cooled as rapidly as possible to monitored for skin hydration, skin elasticity The worldwide consumption of bamboo 30° C or less and stored in jars in brine and skin fatigue by the Leibniz Research shoots is in excess of two million tonnes, (salt content of 5–8 percent of the Institute in Dusseldorf over 12 weeks. At mostly in Asia. The main potential export weight of the cooked shoots). the end of the study, a biopsy was carried market for bamboo shoots is Japan. Commercially, shoots are mainly out to see the levels of hyaluronic acid, However, the preferred species in Japan is canned, a complicated process which is known to be beneficial to the skin. Phyllostachys pubescens (or moso), a involving drying the shoots, removing (Source: MailOnline, 27 January 2012.) monopodial type of subtropical bamboo with the sheaths, rinsing, dressing, a rather unique flavour that cannot be readily classifying according to shape, grading, substituted by any other tropical bamboo. weighing, placing in cans, sterilizing, % BUSHMEAT Dendrocalamus latiflorus shoots are popular adding water, adjusting the pH, in Taiwan Province of China and large cooling, heat preservation, inspection Bushmeat – every man’s protein until the quantities are exported to Japan. D. asper and packing. forest is empty shoots are a major canned export from Some call it the “African silence” when a Thailand to Japan. D. giganteus is favoured in forest is rendered silent by poaching and Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. The greatest Nutritional content of bamboo shoots the bushmeat trade. Others call this opportunities for exports of bamboo shoots (per 100 g) phenomenon “dead zones” that have no from the Pacific islands would be for fresh birds, no monkeys, no small mammals, no bamboo shoots to Asian communities on the snakes … These places have been stripped United States mainland and to Asian Water 89–93 g bare by local communities that are countries with direct flight links and available Fat 0.3–0.4 g struggling to feed their families and access cargo capacity. Fibre 0.5–0.77 g medical care. Economics. Competition with China, India or Ca 81–96 mg The Mbuti pygmy encampments other nations that already have bamboo Fe 0.5–1.7 mg photographed in the early 1980s depict a resources, culture and industrial technology Vitamin C 3.2–5.7 mg wire- and nylon-free lifestyle that saw them is not likely to prove economically viable for Protein 1.3–2.3 g capture forest animals on a daily basis for most Pacific islands. If niche markets could local consumption. Today, most of the Carbohydrates 4.2–6.1 g be identified for which well-controlled, value- bushmeat is exported to distant markets by added products could be found, relatively Ash 0.8–1.3 g bicycle, 4×4 vehicles and on foot. No-one small-scale production and processing might P 42–59 mg has the right to judge these people when be economically viable. Even for local Vitamin B1 0.07–0.14 mg they focus on bushmeat as their only markets with little or no shipping costs, Glucose 1.8–4.1 g source of protein. We must, however, locally grown and processed bamboo restrict use of forest products, as far as products might cost more than imported. possible, to people with heritage rights to

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the land, as they are the custodians of practices that benefit both apes and local probably have to be disguised for European these forests. communities. And while the people on the audiences, so that insect “food” could be Terese and John Hart are committed to right side of the room felt that local used as an additive in burgers and other witnessing, studying, conserving and poverty was not the main threat to these fast food. combating the atrocities of the bushmeat apes, those on the left – mostly from Africa The Food Standards Agency says of the trade in the Democratic Republic of the – disagreed. research: “While insects have not Congo. Over the next few weeks, I will post People kill apes because they are poor, traditionally been used for food in the United a series of summary posts linking back to said one. Conservation creates costs for Kingdom or elsewhere in the European the blogs on their Web site: local people and this is an issue of justice, Union, it is estimated that about 2.5 billion www.bonoboincongo.com/ (Source: Steve said another. If you solve local poverty, you people across the world have diets that Boyes, Explorer’s Journal, National solve a lot of problems for great apes, routinely include insects. While many insects Geographic, 9 February 2012.) added a third. are regarded as pests, FAO is interested in Of course, the statement itself was promoting edible insects as a highly Game reveals complex links between flawed, as the workshop organizers sustainable source of nutrition”. Some poverty and threats to apes designed it to be. In reality, the situation worms contain three times as much protein There were 50 ape experts in the room and a varies from location to location and the as beef per ounce (28 g), while four crickets quick game ensued to break the ice. “If you many threats apes face are all have as much calcium as a glass of milk. agree with the statement, go to the left side of interconnected. Eighty percent of countries worldwide the room,” said the facilitator. “If you My favourite answer, though, came from already eat insects, and more than 1 000 disagree, go to the right.” She then unveiled one of the Indonesian experts. He said that insect species are often eaten by human eight simple words that split the room in two: if the “poverty” in the statement referred beings. Unlike conventional livestock, “Local poverty is the main threat to apes”. to a lack of money then the answer was no, insects and bugs need little space and can On the right, speakers said that the but that if it referred to the mind and a lack be bred in sealed buildings under natural primary problem for orangutans in of information, then the answer was yes. light where they live off waste, paper and Malaysia and Indonesia is not local people As an ice-breaker, the contentious algae. The idea has previously been backed – hunters tend to target other species statement did its job well. It made me by the United Nations and EU as a way to there. It is the private sector that destroys wonder … if every poor person who lives tackle food shortages. Some academics the forests on which both orangutans and near an endangered ape was suddenly ten believe that the expense and environmental local people depend, added a third times richer, would the apes be safer or cost of raising livestock means that insect- speaker, and this deforestation itself would they just face new threats that eating will be inevitable – and it has been creates poverty. Someone else added that affluence and indifference can bring? claimed that by the end of this decade, it was the wealthier people from local The workshop was organized as part of insect-eating will be widespread. (Source: populations, not the poor, who were IIED's Poverty and Conservation Learning MailOnline, 31 January 2012.) encroaching on the national park he Group initiative, with support from the worked at in Indonesian Borneo. Arcus Foundation, the United States Fish Hebo – yellow-jacket baby wasps – a A speaker from the Democratic and Wildlife Service and the Great Apes speciality in Japan Republic of the Congo said that it was rich Survival Partnership. (Source: Mike All manner of insects have been eaten people in urban areas – not poor Shanahan blog, IIED, 13 January 2012.) down the ages to the present day, and in all communities near forests – who fuelled regions of the world. Many insects are the market for ape meat. Another from eaten in Japan, including two species of Cameroon said that in some places local Vespula and three species of Vespa. In people do hunt chimpanzees for meat, but particular, yellow-jacket larvae and pupae, at such low levels that it is not a major known locally as hachi-no-ko (literally, threat; logging and mining activities that “baby wasps”) are eaten. People are often destroy ape habitat were bigger concerns. surprised at how dangerous, stinging The ape experts had gathered at the insects such as wasps can be caught and Center for International Forestry Research eaten safely. However, in Nagan, Gifu, (CIFOR) in Bogor, Indonesia for a three- Aichi, Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, day workshop on the links between great the mountainous areas at the heart of the ape conservation and poverty, because it central region of Japan, these yellow- just so happens that all of the world’s jackets are treasured as autumn’s seasonal great apes – gorillas, chimpanzees, % EDIBLE INSECTS delicacies. Men enjoy going out in groups to bonobos and orangutans – live near people catch them. It is also common for people to who are poor. EU to spend €3 million to promote eating raise them near their homes. Every The workshop, organized by the insects as “alternative source of protein“ household prepares hachi-no-ko dishes in International Institute for Environment and The European Union (EU) will spend €3 different ways, each bringing its own Development (IIED) (where I work) and million to research “the potential of insects unique flavour to the autumn dinner table. hosted by CIFOR from 11 to 13 January as an alternative source of protein”. Whole communities have been built, 2012, was designed to share lessons Research projects will be selected this centred on these yellow-jackets – surely learned in Africa and Asia and to identify year. Food experts agree that insects would unique to this part of the world.

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the process. It takes much time and effort, but this provides an opportunity for the family EATING WASPS: A RELATIONSHIP to enjoy chatting together. The larvae are INSECTS ARE FOOD WEB SITE BETWEEN NATURE AND SOCIETY boiled with soy, sugar and sake. The cooked wasp larvae are then mixed with rice. Various The following Web site includes recipes, The habit of wasp eating in Japan dishes use Vespula spp. Simple boiled wasp a full list of edible insects wordwide, consists of a nature-society relationship, with soy sauce goes well with rice, and much more. as shown in the illustration. The accompanied by sake. Recipes for wasp http://insectsarefood.com/faq.html/ eagerness to eat wasps helps promote larvae dishes vary greatly from household to and makes people aware of both the household, bringing an autumn feast to the wasp environment and indigenous dinner table. knowledge on wasps. It is complicated, Gathering around hebo. The Hebo Festival is FIELD CRICKETS but the mutual relationship makes the held every year, with people competing for cultural habit continue. Moreover, the biggest nest, whether raised at home, or This is our first post in what we hope will be commercial use encourages people who collected in the fields and mountains. People an ongoing series on insect foraging. While have fewer economic opportunities to gather together for all manner of festivities not a normal foraging food, insects could very promote socio-economic activities with celebrating hebo. Food products made from well be one of the few foods available in a proper use. Wasps are thus regarded as wasp larvae are popular delicacies, and make deep woods survival or famine situation. One an essential food resource for the great souvenirs. (Contributed by: Kenichi of the easiest and most popular edible insects sustainable development of rural Nonaka, Department of Geography, Rikkyo is the cricket. Cricket eating is gaining mountain villages. University, 3-34-1 Nishi-Ikebukuro Toshima, popularity these days in the United States of Tokyo 171-8501, Japan. America. E-mail: [email protected]/) For the record, 100 g of cricket has 121 calories, 12.9 g protein, 5.5 g fat, 5.1 g Researchers conduct studies on edible carbohydrates, 75.8 mg calcium, 185.3 mg insects to fight food insecurity in Uganda phosphorus, 9.5 mg iron, 0.36 mg thiamin, Edible insects such as white ants and 1.09 mg riboflavin, 3.10 mg niacin and crickets could have a permanent presence 0.05 percent fat. on dinner tables in Uganda if research Finding field crickets is not a problem; the being carried out by a group of researchers best places to catch them are under logs, from Makerere University proves rocks and in tall weeds that border fences and successful. The research project now under buildings. When we were kids, we commonly way in Lango subregion is focusing on the left pieces of plywood on the ground to make potential of edible insects in alleviating “cricket shelters” so we would have a quick household food insecurity and fighting and easy way to collect fishing bait. Catching hebo. Hebo nests are found malnutrition. Be sure that you know what you are below ground in fields and mountains. The In an interview with Uganda Radio eating! Always make a positive identification wasps are attracted with bait and then Network, the research project’s principal before eating any insect or plant. You never given small pieces of meat, with tiny investigator Dr Jacob Agea said that they know how healthy the crickets are or if they ribbons attached, to carry back to the nest. chose edible insects because they are are carrying any bacteria, so I highly The ribbons make it easier subsequently to currently disappearing from menus, but recommend that they be cooked like any follow the wasps and locate the nest. used to be valuable food alternatives. He other meat before they are eaten. They can Catching hebo requires teamwork – said they want first to find out why edible be oven roasted, sautéed or deep fried. Also, someone is needed to set the bait, insects such as white ants and crickets are I’ve seen the indigenous cultures that eat someone to follow the wasps, and fast disappearing, and then understand crickets keep them in a container for a day or someone to dig out the nest. Seeing their breeding habits and explore how to so to be sure that the crickets “poop” before groups of like-minded friends, frantically breed them throughout the year. they are cooked. Wings and legs are removed chasing after hebo is like watching young Dr Agea said that the two-year study, before cooking. Always rinse them with clean boys totally absorbed in an exciting game. costing 110 million Ugandan shillings, will water. Some folks will throw them in the Raising hebo. Some people even raise hebo examine the insect-eating culture of the freezer for awhile if there’s one available. at the bottom of their gardens. They are people and document existing knowledge on Dry roasted crickets have a nutty careful to place the nest where it will be insect harvesting, processing and marketing. flavour and are very good eaten plain sheltered from the elements. The wasps are The study also aims to assess the with a sprinkling of salt. They are also very protected from predators and given food. proportional contribution of edible insects tasty as a substitute for nuts in dessert and Raising hebo requires a certain combination consumed as household food and in calorie cookie recipes. Dry roasted crickets can be of tender loving care, originality and intake. This will determine the nutritional blended into flour to be added to bread ingenuity. value of the insects. A number of students flours. (Source: Foragers Digest Web site, Eating hebo. The whole family gets together have been trained to help in the study, which http://foragersdigest.com/) to remove the live larvae from the combs, will be extended to include other subregions taking great care not to squash the larvae in such as West Nile, Acholi and Karamoja,

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Insects as feed for aquaculture. The summary private sector is also investigating and report of the Technical Consultation Meeting undertaking research and development. The “Assessing the potential of insects as food and black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and the feed in assuring food security”, which took yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) are place in Rome in January 2012 (see pages 66 considered to be optimal species for industrial and 70 for more information), states that the mass production. There is a certain belief urgency to find alternative protein sources for among new companies that production feed has resulted in high market acceptance capacity is comparable with, or in some cases and market recognition for insects. For fish even more powerful than, other alternative and poultry, insects are already a natural feed. resources such as soybean, sunflower and In China, for example, silkworm pupae fishmeal. Although the use of insect proteins powder is used as feed. Costs, reliability of has many opportunities, it is still facing where edible insects have long been a supply and the quality of the insect protein difficulties – legal issues on biodiversity and delicacy. The study, if successful, will be used product will determine market demand. Costs alien species, food safety in particular to formulate nutritional policies and be include the possibility of using organic waste pathogen transfers, production capacity, and shared with local governments, food streams, labour involved, yield, investment processing methods all need more processors and institutions that would then be needed and economies of scale. investigation. expected to apply it in practice. This research Possibilities of edible insects. Researchers Is industrial mass production the future? is being conducted by the same group of have been looking into the possibilities of Mass rearing of arthropods today is mainly Makerere scientists who are exploring the edible insects for many years; today, the performed for biocontrol of insect pests. Using possibility of breeding and rearing grasshoppers en masse. (Source: Uganda Radio Network Web site, 1 February 2012.) BLACK SOLDIER FLY (HERMETIA quality proteins and fats. Scientists at the Insect proteins for animal feed ILLUCENS) Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science Animal feed market pressure. In 2050, the and Technology, Dübendorf, Switzerland planet will number approximately nine Production. The innovative company are looking into the efficient conversion billion people. At the same time, a growing Organic Nutrition in Florida, United of organic material by black soldier fly middle class will result in higher demand States of America, focuses on black larvae. Based on their study, a waste for fish and meat. In order to meet this soldier fly rearing for use as an processing unit could yield a daily demand sustainably, since current animal alternative protein – Ento-Protein™ – in prepupal biomass of 145 g (dry mass) per feed stocks are being overexploited or fish feed. Ento-Protein could serve as a m2. They concluded that larvae of the grown unsustainably, the livestock and replacement for fishmeal on the black soldier fly are potentially capable fishery sectors will be forced to look for aquaculture market. The business should of converting large amounts of organic feed alternatives. operate on zero waste by using manure waste into protein-rich biomass to Land and forest depletion. The global as feed for the insect. The company has substitute fishmeal, thereby contributing consumption of meat will grow 173 percent already carried out economic and to sustainable aquaculture. by 2050 mainly as a result of the explosive environmental feasibility studies in order Black soldier fly in rainbow trout diet. growth of 209 percent in developing to be both competitive and sustainable. Research on fishmeal and fish oil countries. In addition, feed production will As such, they ensure that their replacements has identified a variety of need to grow by 180 percent by 2050 in order operations, processes and products are potential ingredients that when used in to feed all livestock. At present, 30 percent of environmentally responsible. Future appropriate mixtures can promote good land use is for livestock feed production. capacity perspectives are 6 000 tonnes of growth results for rainbow trout Greater and more intensive crop production Ento-Proteins per year and a factory (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A study results in deforestation and soil degradation setup that enables capacity increase. The conducted in 2011 at the University of and the subsequent use of fertilizers and British entrepreneur, David Drew, has Idaho in the United States of America pesticides leads to water pollution. also set up a small pilot plant on black indicates that black soldier fly reared on Fish depletion. Aquaculture – probably the soldier fly rearing in South Africa. He dairy cattle manure and trout offal can fastest growing food-producing sector – now predicts his Agri-Protein production will be used to replace up to 50 percent of accounts for nearly 50 percent of the world's be around 7 300 tonnes per year. His the fishmeal portion of a practical trout food fish. According to FAO’s Fisheries and “magmeal” would serve as a substitute diet for eight weeks without Aquaculture Department, commercial fish for fishmeal both on the aquaculture significantly affecting fish growth or the feed for aquaculture has increased by market and to fatten chickens and pigs. sensory quality of rainbow trout fillets, 400 percent over the past 25 years. The Current research. Manure management However, the reduced growth observed biggest aquaculture feed producers are from is a growing concern in intensive in the current study indicates that Asia; in Viet Nam, for example, fish feed livestock facilities. The black soldier fly additional research is needed to identify production has increased by 700 percent over has been investigated for its manure further the nutritional limitations of this the last 25 years. Fishmeal as well as several bioconversion capabilities into high- ingredient. grains (mainly maize) and soybean are nowadays traded unsustainably.

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% FRUITS YELLOW MEALWORM (TENEBRIO scorpions, chilopods, ants, goldfish, wild Five amazing fruits from the jungle MOLITOR) animals and other animals and livestock.” The Amazon rain forest is said to host half of (Source: www.hcmealworm.com/) the world's plant and animal species. While Production in China. In Hunan province in Production in the Netherlands. Yellow local indigenous people had a diet including Changsa, the biggest insect manufacturer mealworms are also reared in temperate thousands of jungle fruits, modern societies – Changshasaibang Lives Science and regions for pet feed for reptiles, birds and eat just a fraction of them, so there is plenty of Technology Co. Ltd – produces 280 tonnes fish. For example, the Kreca farmer room for growth. Here are five fruits that of yellow mealworms each year. For company produces yellow mealworms as come from the jungle and could end up in technical support, the company a feed for exotic animals. Since 2006, the supermarkets around the world. collaborates with Hunan Agricultural company has also begun to produce Açaí. The açaí berry comes from the palm University, Hunan Institute of Entomology mealworms for human consumption. tree Euterpe oleracea, which grows and the Hunan Food Institute. The Researchers from the Department of abundantly in the Brazilian Amazon, but company sells the yellow mealworms for Entomology of Wageningen University which can also be found in Peru. In the early feed for poultry, fish, turtles, frogs, birds, have provided technical support and 2000s, it was marketed as a miracle fruit, scorpions, centipedes and snakes. scientific knowledge to develop the with incredible antioxidant properties. Health Sixty km south of Changsa in Xiangtan, production process. They are still food companies sold the juice for upwards of the Haocheng Mealworm Inc. company collaborating, and undertaking research US$40/bottle (see Box on page 34). mass rears mealworms mainly for animal and development to identify new uses. Aguaje. The aguaje fruit, and powders and feed. In addition, the company also sells (Source: www.kreca.com/) extracts derived from it, is high in vitamin A insect protein in a powdered form for Many pet feed companies have the content (five times greater than that of supplementary use in human food capacity to rear mealworms and other carrots). The fruit itself comes from the aguaje products. The company is unique in their edible insects. Farming good practices palm Mauritia flexuosa, a major component of multipurpose marketing. “Mealworm as a and technical equipment can be used to the ecosystem in and around Amazonian source of high protein can be added to extend edible insects for feed to the wetlands, and tastes much like a carrot. bread, flour, instant noodles, pastry, livestock and fishery feed sector and Arazá. Arazá is hard to find outside the biscuits, sweets and condiments, as well as even the entire food industry. jungle, because no-one has found a good adding it directly to dishes on the dining Therefore, the animal feed sector way to ship it without spoiling the fruit. Its table or processing it into health care should be convinced of the nutritional acidity makes it undesirable for eating off the nourishment. It is also a direct feed for and environmental benefits of tree (Eugenia stipitata), but it is delicious birds, dogs, cats, frogs, turtles, shrimps, introducing insects into animal diets. when converted into a juice, jam or dessert. Even better, arazá has more than twice as much vitamin C as an orange. Camu camu. The camu camu berry is similar sterilized predators that are not pests, pests integrated pest management to açaí in actual nutritional value. Camu camu can be kept under control in a biologically programme was designed by Elobied is being marketed around the world as the friendly way. Mass rearing for biocontrol uses Agricultural Research Station (in the cure for everything from the common cold to the same techniques and technical equipment Northern Kordofan state of the Sudan) to arthritis. While such claims are probably as those necessary to produce edible insects control the melon bug. The community overblown, the berry of the Myrciaria dubia for feed and food. According to Karel participated in a “handpicking of melon tree does have the second-highest Bolckmans, director of Koppert, one of the bug adults” campaign in four different concentration of vitamin C of any known fruit leading companies in biocontrol, good areas of the state for two seasons. in the world. A small-scale study in Japan practices and expertise should be shared and During these seasons, 15 tonnes of showed that it reduced the risk of hardened practical cooperation encouraged. For melon bug adults were collected in the arteries. (See page 58 for more information.) instance, research and development lines on first season, and 226 tonnes in the edible insects can be set up in existing mass- second. Melon bugs are edible and, in rearing factories for biocontrol. the last nymph stage, which is a relatively soft stage, the bugs are cooked Examples of informal integrated pest and eaten. (Contributed by: Esther management carried out today Mertens, Intern, Edible Insect • Weaver ant (Oecophylla smaragdina). Programme, Forestry Department, FAO.) Weaver ant collectors in Indonesia carry out biocontrol by collecting ants on fruit FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: fields and, as such, they are the Paul Vantomme, Senior Forestry Officer, Non- inventors of a new agricultural system of Wood Forest Products, Forest Products and pest control and provide protein food Industries Division, Forestry Department, FAO, sources such as queen weaver ant bread Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00153 Rome. to the community and their animals. E-mail: [email protected]; • Melon bug (Agonoscelis pubescens). An www.fao.org/forestry/65422/en/ Arazà

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Mocambo. Think of the mocambo supports farmers in times of crop failure, (Theobroma bicolor) seed as a less-famous providing a supplementary food in rural AÇAÍ (EUTERPE OLERACEA MART.) sibling of the fruit world. It shares the areas. By adding the trees to crop fields, genus of the famous Theobroma cacao tree gardens, parks, fence lines and street and grows principally in the western sides, monkey oranges can boost food Amazon, its homeland. It has a sweet pulp. security and nutrition. Most vendors stick to just selling the fruit's Safou. Native to the humid, tropical forests seeds, which reportedly taste like peanuts of West and Central Africa, safou when roasted. (Source: Peru this Week, (Dacryodes edulis) is also known as 3 December 2011.) “butterfruit” for its rich, oily pulp. People in West and Central Africa have been eating Fruits that are helping to end hunger safou for centuries as a fresh fruit between No single fruit can put an end to hunger. meals, or cooked as a main course. When In the darkness before dawn, thousands of But worldwide there are many different roasted or quickly boiled in salted water, Amazonian river dwellers fill their large fruits and vegetables that are helping to the pulp separates from the skin and seed woven baskets with purple, pebble-sized improve nutrition and diets, while and takes on a buttery texture. In Nigeria, açaí fruit and make the trip in small canoes increasing incomes and improving the cooked pulp is combined with starchy or large boats to the scattered outdoor livelihoods. Among these are the following. foods such as maize to make a main markets of the city of Belém, Brazil. As the Ackee. The ackee tree (Blighia sapida) is course. The World Agroforestry Centre boats near Ver-o-Peso, the largest market indigenous to the tropical forests of West (ICRAF) promotes safou as a key tree at the mouth of the Amazon River, a seller Africa. Ackee fruit has a creamy texture species in agroforestry systems that can be shouts, “blood of the cow!”. Buyers run to and a mild flavour. It is commonly eaten intercropped with food crops to provide the boat, pressing their nails into the fruits with meat dishes as a side vegetable. It is shade and biomass while also producing to see if they are of good quality. “Blood of very nutritious, high in fatty acids and rich edible fruit. And the United Kingdom-based the cow” is a local reference to the meaty in protein, potassium, iron and vitamin C. International Centre for Underutilized açaí fruit with its wine-coloured pulp. From However, both the skin and seeds of ackee Crops has been searching for varieties that the age of six months, children in the are poisonous; they contain toxic combine high-quality taste, nutrition and eastern Amazon drink açaí juice. And with hypoglycin levels and can even be fatal. resistance to disease. (Source: Worldwatch great benefits – açaí is being touted as a Care must be taken in harvesting the fruit Institute, 4 October 2011.) “superfruit” for its anti-inflammatory, at the right time and in the preparation of antioxidant and anticancer effects. Because ackee dishes. In tropical West Africa – Wild edible fruits of sacred groves, of its growing reputation, demand for açaí where ackee trees are indigenous, well Kodagu, Western Ghats, India is expanding around the world. adapted and utilized for other purposes – Sacred groves are one of the oldest forms In some Amazonian caboclo the safe preparation and nutritious value of of nature conservation. These forests are communities, açaí was found to make up ackee arils support food security and rural easily distinguished from other forest types to 42 percent of a person’s daily intake by incomes. The tree is cultivated in the region by the presence of deity symbols or weight. Some people in Belém drink up to for several non-food uses: immature fruits temples, and are mostly managed by local 3 litres of açaí/day. In the 1990s, an average are used to make soap; the wood from the temple committees. The Western Ghats of person from Belém consumed 60 litres of tree is termite resistant and used for India – one of the mega diversity centres – açaí/year. An estimated 180 000 tonnes of building; extracts from the poisonous is dotted with sacred groves, with some of açaí are consumed each year in the city. seeds are taken to treat parasites and are the highest concentrations located in the The fruit is being marketed in the sometimes used as a fish poison; and a Kodagu district, Kamataka, central United States of America and Europe as a topical ointment made from crushed ackee Western Ghats. A recent study assessed “superfood”. In 2006, a study found that leaves is applied to the skin to treat the species composition of the sacred extracts from açaí berries initiated a self- headaches and ulcers. Ackee leaves are groves of Kodagu and explored whether destruct response in up to 86 percent of also good as fodder for goats. they shelter wild edible fruit species. the leukaemia cancer cells tested in the Monkey oranges. Similar in shape and size Edible wild fruits are found in different laboratory. These effects have not yet to apple, pear and orange trees, monkey forest tracts of India and botanically come been demonstrated on cancer in humans. oranges (Strychnos spinosa) come from a from widely different families. In all, about Açaí is rich in flavonoids, which give it its highly coveted African wild fruit tree, which 600 kinds are known, of which 100 or so are dark purple colour and provide a high farmers will often leave standing when promising. The majority of the fruits are dose of antioxidants. clearing land for cultivation of field crops. eaten raw when ripe or after processing. Açaí pulp has become a fad in gyms in The grapefruit-sized fruit is traditionally However, certain unripe fruits are used the south of Brazil. Athletes enjoy açaí eaten raw, or made into jam, juice or fruit either as vegetables or in making pickles. mixed with guaraná fruit and oats to give wine. It is usually yellow, orange or brown, Some fruits are used under starvation or them a burst of energy. (Source: FAO, and emits a sweet scent with a touch of famine conditions. 2011. Fruit trees and useful plants in clove. Monkey oranges are known for their Results from the study indicated that Amazonian life.) delicious sweet and sour flavour and are sacred groves are rich in wild edible fruit rich in vitamins B and C. They are an species. In fact, the authors report that the important indigenous African resource that sacred groves of Kodagu harbour about

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51 wild edible fruit species (23 percent) and He said his father, who is in his late 60s, buying gifts before making their annual shelter species that are absent in reserve usually mixes the bitter-tasting root into a trek home to see their families. The haul forests. Even though the groves appear tea to help keep him active during the cold will bring in more than US$16 million in small, they are rich in biodiversity and are winter. When asked if he knew what the profits for Wisconsin farmers who are thus really worthy of conservation. Not crest meant, the 37-year-old real estate welcoming Tongrentang's help with open much is known about the nutritive value of agent said he thought it was the brand arms as they try to recover from the the wild edible fruits, but available name and chose Wisconsin ginseng travails of the past two years. information suggests that they are rich in because he was told by a sales clerk it was Tong Song, director of internal risk proteins, minerals and carbohydrates, and among the best. Asked if he knew where management at Tongrentang, says the thus can be used as a source of nutrition. Wisconsin was, Gao simply replied "no". biggest draw among TCM practitioners in Consequently, the authors conclude that Creating brand awareness in a potential China for Wisconsin ginseng is the there is a need to assess the nutritive value consumer market of more than 1.3 billion medicinal versatility of the North American of available wild edible fruit species and to is one in a long list of challenges facing strain. "Compared with Chinese and use them to improve the lives of people Wisconsin farmers, who produce more than Korean ginseng, Wisconsin is milder in living adjacent to the forests. (Source: 90 percent of America's ginseng, or Panax Chinese traditional medicine theory, so it B. Tambat and G.N. Chaithra. 2011. Wild quinquefolius, as they push to reassert the can be applied to a broader number of edible fruits of sacred groves, Kodagu, Wisconsin strain in the Chinese market. people," she says. Western Ghats. In MFP News, XXI (4).) An unexpected winter storm in 2010 With more than 1 000 outlets dotted destroyed more than 50 percent of the throughout China selling the Western root, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: ginseng crops, which take three to four Tong says the company is pushing to B. Tambat, Agricultural College campus, years to mature fully, making their recovery establish the Wisconsin strain as a superior University of Agricultural Sciences (B), a slow-going process, says Joe Heil, root, making vast efforts to inform China's Hassan-573 225, Kamataka, India. E-mail: President of the Ginseng Board of consumers on the benefits while taking it on [email protected]/ Wisconsin. Heil, who started growing the road to TCM trade fairs. "We want to let ginseng 20 years ago after converting his the Chinese consumers know the family's dairy farm to grow the normally effectiveness of this imported product," she %GINSENG wild root, says that unlike other agriculture says. (Source: China Daily, 20 January 2012.) in Wisconsin, ginseng can only be grown An unlikely root of China's prized cure once on a plot of land before the land It was once worth its weight in gold and becomes unusable for at least 100 years, reserved for emperors in ancient times, but which made the storm's impact more than today the use of ginseng (renshen in particularly troublesome. Chinese) as a cure for minor ailments is Producing about 60 000 lb (27 215 kg) flourishing among China's booming middle annually on his farm, Heil is one of the class. The luxury herb, and China’s lust for largest of about 130 different ginseng it, is also bringing wealth to an unlikely farms in the state. While Heil says the location in the heart of the United States of storm has taken its toll, he maintains an America. optimistic view that the drop in Wisconsin Discovered more than 5 000 years ago in crops is actually a turning-point for the mountains of China, ginseng is a production. After suffering losses of more multimillion-dollar business and is the than half of their annual produce, the price golden crop in the fields of Wisconsin. Many of the crop has shot up to a record tonnes of ginseng are shipped back to US$40–60 per pound (0.45 kg). Ginseng China, the Middle Kingdom, each year. To help farmers get back on their feet, As stores across China fill with shoppers they have received help from one of China's China to start equity trading of wild rushing to buy Spring Festival gifts, few biggest traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ginseng realize the most popular brands have roots distributors. In late 2010, the Ginseng Beijing. China's only online equity exchange in the Midwest of the United States of Board of Wisconsin signed a five-year portal, Jinmajia (jinmajia.com), will soon America. Recently, in the basement of a contract that guarantees one of China's launch the trading of wild ginseng, the Beijing department store near China's oldest and most respected apothecaries, company said on Wednesday. Fan Dongping, National Stadium, swarms of Chinese Tongrentang, exclusive distribution rights. president of Beijing Jinmajia Equity shoppers lined up around a pharmacy The 360-year-old apothecary, which once Exchange Online Service Inc., said that the display of American ginseng stamped with a served the highest echelons of Chinese trading may start in March or April, and the red, white and blue crest bearing an society, now deals with Wisconsin farmers benchmark subscription price is likely to be American eagle and the words "Ginseng directly to help reduce the hefty price tag of set at around 10 000 yuan (US$1 588). He Board of Wisconsin" in bold type. the highly sought-after root. said that ginseng plants to be subscribed for "Every year I give the best I can find to my Recently, Tongrentang imported about trading are those that have been grown by father for Spring Festival," said Gao Feng, 400 000 lb (181 437 kg) of Wisconsin Bishui Forestry Company in the mountains who was eyeing a container of large ginseng ginseng just in time for the Spring Festival of northeast China's Jilin province for more roots selling for about 150 yuan (US$23.80). rush when shoppers, such as Gao Feng, are than five years.

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According to the Chinese national which represents the United Kingdom’s • 100 percent of the honey packaged in standard for regulating ginseng quality, 300 commercial beekeepers, said the ruling small individual service portions from plants grown in natural forests for several was a nuisance. “The idea that pollen is an fast food chains had the pollen removed; years can be regarded as wild ginseng. ingredient of honey is nonsense. Pollen is • every one of the samples Food Safety The forestry company in Jilin has planted integral to honey. Bees collect nectar and News bought at farmers’ markets, 70 million of these wild ginseng plants in a pollen. When they are storing it away, pollen cooperatives and “natural” stores had natural environment. gets into the nectar and hence into the honey.” the full, anticipated amount of pollen. Fan said subscribers can either sell the The ruling came after a German amateur Pollen-free honey may not sound like a equity of the ginseng products via the Web beekeeper found small amounts of problem, but without pollen it is not site, or pay an annual fee of 50 yuan to genetically modified (GM) pollen in his honey. possible to trace the source. One-third or Jinmajia to keep the equity for added value. He sued the state of Bavaria, which owned more of all the honey consumed in the Jinmajia is jointly funded by over 20 equity trial GM maize plots near his hives, for United States of America is likely to have exchange firms, including China Beijing damaging his produce. been smuggled in from China and may be Equity Exchange and Guangzhou Enterprises Anyone who sells honey to the public, tainted with illegal antibiotics and heavy Mergers and Acquisitions Services. Fan said including the United Kingdom’s 40 000 metals. A Food Safety News investigation wild ginseng has great potential to increase amateur beekeepers, faces tests. Suppliers has documented that millions of pounds of in market value, adding that the older the whose pollen is found to be more than honey banned as unsafe in dozens of ginseng grows, the more valuable it 0.9 percent GM must undergo full safety countries are being imported and sold here becomes. He added that equity trading will authorization and label their honey in record quantities. help build up the domestic brand of high- accordingly. The European Commission is No pollen, no traceability, no assurance quality wild ginseng and increase its price. expected to finalize the regulations over the of safety. Furthermore, when pollen is China produces annually 60–70 percent of next year. (Source: Daily Mail [United filtered from honey, so are many of the the world's ginseng products on average and Kingdom], 7 November 2011.) health benefits such as allergy relief and exports 70–80 percent of its annual the nutritional value of vitamins, minerals production. However, its annual output value and trace nutrients in bee pollen. on the products accounts for only less than The Food Safety News test results come 4 percent of the world's total, as the exports just as the European Union has decided to are priced very low, according to the Beijing- order honey producers to test for the based Guangming Daily. presence of unauthorized genetically Dubbed the "King of Herbs" in China, modified pollen and to identify pollen as an ginseng has been used as a traditional ingredient rather than a natural component medicine and health care product for more of honey. Industry spokespeople fear the than 4 000 years. (Source: Bernama ruling will put many small-scale [Malaysia], 15 February 2012.) beekeepers and honey producers out of business. (Source: www.care2.com, 7 November 2011.) %HONEY AND HONEYBEES What passes for honey on United States shelves – and the role of pollen EU: pollen warning on honey jars Food Safety News bought more than MEDICINAL PLANTS Under new European Union regulations, jars 60 samples from ten states and the District % AND HERBS of honey will have to be marked “contains of Columbia in a recent investigation on the pollen” – a move that experts have branded quality of honey on grocery shelves in the Liquorice named “Medicinal plant of the ludicrous, and say could put some British United States of America. They sent the year 2012” beekeepers out of business. Honey will also jars, jugs and plastic bears to Texas A&M Liquorice has been selected as “Medicinal have to undergo expensive tests to prove it University, where Vaughn Bryant, Director plant of the year 2012” because of its does not contain unauthorized genetically of the Palynology Research Laboratory, paramount importance to human well-being modified pollen. analysed them. Bryant is a palynologist, worldwide. The selection was made by a panel Until now, honey had always been someone who studies spores and pollen. from the University of Würzburg, World Wide considered an entirely unadulterated product He is also a melissopalynologist (someone Fund for Nature (WWF) and TRAFFIC and was for the purposes of food labelling. But the who studies honey pollen). What he learned announced today at an event organized by European Court of Justice has decreed that in testing for Food Safety News should WWF Germany. pollen is an ingredient of honey rather than an make every honey consumer wary. His key “Liquorice is special because it can quickly intrinsic component. It means that products results were that: soothe sore throats and coughs and was used will, for the first time, have to carry a list of • 76 percent of samples bought at centuries ago to treat coughing, hoarseness ingredients such as “honey (contains pollen)”. groceries had all the pollen removed; and asthma by Ancient Greek and Egyptian Britain’s largest supplier of retail honey, • 100 percent of the honey sampled from physicians,” said Professor Johannes Mayer, Rowse, said that the bill for relabelling and drugstores had no pollen; an expert on the history of medicinal botany at testing its entire range will run into hundreds • 77 percent of the honey sampled from the University of Würzburg. of thousands of pounds. John Howat, big box [large retail] stores had the The liquorice plant is a woody shrub that is secretary of the Bee Farmers’ Association, pollen filtered out; native from the Mediterranean to East Asia,

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Japanese delegation visits India to learn about responsible and sustainable trade FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: We received this interesting feedback of medicinal plants MKS Pasha, Coordinator, Research and from one of our readers, following the Representatives from leading herbal Training, TRAFFIC India, 172 B Lodhi Estate, reproduction of the TRAFFIC article in companies in Japan have just returned New Delhi 110003, India. E-mail: NWFP-Digest 17/11. from a visit to India, where they witnessed [email protected] or Kahoru Kanari, Senior I am happy to note that Jaythimadh (in at first hand the responsible and Programme Officer, TRAFFIC East Asia – Japan, one of the main languages of India) or sustainable collection practices utilized in 6th Fl. Nihonseimei Akabanebashi Bldg, 3-1-14, liquorice, has been named the Medicinal the medicinal and aromatic plant trade. Shiba, Minato-ku, 105-0014 Tokyo, Japan. Fax: Plant of the Year 2012. The article The visit, organized by TRAFFIC with (81) 3 3769 1304; e-mail: [email protected]/ mentions “Ancient Greek and Egyptian support from I-AIM (Institute of Ayurveda physicians” BUT Indian physicians knew and Integrative Medicine) took place as about the medicinal properties of part of a project supported by the %MULBERRIES Jaythimadh even earlier. Western Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund, scholars often do not have access to with the aim of gaining a better Silk versus synthetic fibres Indian literature because many of the understanding of the benefits of Scientists at the Universities of Oxford and old texts have never been translated into sustainable sourcing of wild medicinal Sheffield in the United Kingdom have English or other European languages. plants and to help promote use of the demonstrated that natural silks are a Hence, Indian scholars often go without FairWild Standard within Japanese thousand times more efficient than common being recognized. (Ardeshir Damania, industries. plastics when it comes to forming fibres. A India. E-mail: [email protected]/) Japan was the world’s fourth largest report of the research is published this week importer of medicinal and aromatic plants in the journal Advanced Materials. The in 2007, and India the second largest finding comes from comparing silk from the supplier to the country. Many of the plants Chinese silkworm with molten high-density are wild sourced; however, this is not polyethylene (HDPE) – a material from which widely appreciated in Japan. the strongest synthetic fibres are made. The The Japanese delegates were shown a researchers used polarized light shining variety of insights into the trade, including through a disk rotating over a plate to study the techniques used to ensure the plants how the fibres are formed as the two are not damaged during harvesting, the materials are spun. quantities a harvester can gather between Silk is a natural protein fibre, some forms early morning and noon, and how local of which can be woven into textiles. The best- NGOs organize individual harvesters into known type of silk is obtained from the cooperatives. Briefings took place through cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry face-to-face meetings with local silkworm, Bombyx mori, reared in captivity. communities and industry, the Forestry The shimmering appearance of silk is a Department and other stakeholders. result of the triangular prism-like structure Liquorice The FairWild Standard has previously of the silk fibre, which allows silk cloth to been implemented in field projects in refract incoming light at different angles, the Americas and Australia, and grows up to Uttarakhand and Karnataka, and used to thus producing different colours. 1 m tall. It is a member of the Fabaceae (pea inform the National Committee on NTFPs Silk is one of the strongest natural fibres family), widely cultivated for its medicinal and the medicinal, aromatic and dye but loses up to 20 percent of its strength properties and also for use in beverages. plants (MADP) guidelines for India's when wet. It has a good moisture regain of Only the root is utilized, from which a wide National Working Plan Code. “Following 11 percent. Its elasticity is moderate to poor: variety of compounds – 400 to date – have the success of this visit, we hope that if elongated even a small amount, it remains been isolated. Among the most important is participating companies look favourably stretched. It can be weakened if exposed to glycyrrhizin, a chemical that possesses almost upon adopting and implementing the too much sunlight. It may also be attacked by 50 times the sweetening power of cane sugar. FairWild Standard, to ensure its use insects, especially if left dirty. Today, liquorice is used as an important becomes widespread within Japanese HDPE forms filaments at over 125° C and ingredient called gan cao in traditional industry,” said TRAFFIC’s Kahoru Kanari. in addition requires substantial energy input Chinese medicine, while in Germany, Europe’s “We also hope the companies can help in the form of shear force applied to the major consumer and trader in medicinal promote our way of thinking within the material in its molten form. Silk, in contrast, plants, around 500 tonnes of liquorice are private business sector. In the long run, in the same setup forms filaments at ambient imported each year, 100 of them consumed involvement of Japanese industry should temperature and in addition requires only a domestically in medicinal teas. have a positive impact on conservation of tenth of the shear force. If the energetic costs The root is also used in confectionery and in wild plant resources.” of melting HDPE are included for many herbal liqueurs. In Japan, liquorice is An intensive round-table meeting of comparison, silks become a thousand times used mainly in medicine but also as an leading herbal companies in Japan will be more efficient. ingredient in cosmetics. (Source: TRAFFIC, held next month in Tokyo. (Source: The discovery of a low-energy method for 21 November 2011.) TRAFFIC News Update, 10 February 2012.) fibre formation has led the researchers to

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view silks as a new class of polymers they seven times.” He started investing in silk that clearly does not augur well for the call aquamelts. production in Uganda in 1992. “We have the state’s silk rearing industry. "Silk produced by spiders and silk moths capacity of producing 30 bags of egg worms A majority of farmers coming to the demonstrates combinations of strength and from just one hectare of land,” he explained. cocoon market have no alternative toughness that still outperform their “Textile manufacturing will be possible occupation or lucrative crop to fall back on. synthetic counterparts,” said Dr Chris with this silk produced from the moth of All they can look forward to is more Holland of the Oxford Silk Group, part of caterpillars,” Mousavi said. “Once the uncertainty in the future. (Source: Deccan Oxford University’s Department of Zoology. investment grows and we get government Chronicle [India], 21 January 2012.) ”Not only are silks superior to man-made support, we can start producing upholstery, fibres, they are produced at room wall coverings and carpets.” (Source: New temperature with just water as a by-product." Vision [Uganda], 26 January 2012.) "Combining the best of polymer science with biology we were able to determine how Silk no longer reels out happiness for much energy is required to form these two farmers in India fibres,” he said. “And it seems that we have Fifty-year-old Rangamma, a landless silk discovered some fundamental differences farmer from Jalamangalakur village near between natural and synthetic materials. Ramanagara (India), looks defeated as she With hundreds of millions of years of R&D in comes to terms with the price her silk fibre production it is not surprising that cocoons have fetched at auction at the silkworms and spiders have found ways to Ramanagara Cocoon Market, the largest in conserve energy while still making superior Asia. fibres." (Source: University of Oxford [United The cocoons having sold for only %NUTS Kingdom], 23 November 2011.) Rs171/kg, Rangamma, who grows mulberry on leased land, gets to take home a paltry The Brazil nut and wildlife Uganda to export silk to the Islamic Rs4 626 for the little over 27 kg she brought The Brazil nut tree demonstrates the Republic of Iran to the auction. “I will grow three more crops important links between plants and animals in Uganda is set to start exporting the silkworm this year. But if the price keeps slumping, an intact rain forest. For example, there are to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Mohammad how can I feed my family of four when I need two species of poisonous frog (Dendrobates Ali Mousavi, the chairman of Iran-Uganda to pay Rs15 000 annually to cultivate castaneoticus and D. quinquevittatus) that Establishments, said the production of silk mulberry on my leased land,” she wails. almost exclusively use the rain-filled hollow of from the 1 000-ha farm in Kisozi, Gomba There are many more distraught Brazil nut fruits for their tadpoles. district should start next month. mulberry growers such as Rangamma at The Brazil nut flower has a closed hood and Mousavi said that over 500 000 mulberry the bustling cocoon market, which auctions is pollinated efficiently only by large-bodied trees had been planted over a period of ten about 50 000 kg of cocoons daily and sees bees capable of pushing open the hood and years. The silkworms feed on the leaves of 3 000 licensed cocoon dealers and entering the flower. These bees of the genera the mulberry tree to produce silk. “Now is thousands of farmers arrive not only from Bombus, Centris, Epicharis, Eulaema and the time to reap. The investment is worth Ramanagara, Kanakapura and Channapatna Xylocopa live in the closed forest. A recent US$9 million [about 27 billion Ugandan in the state, but also from Tamil Nadu and decline in Brazil nut production has been shillings],” he said. “Once we start, we Andhra Pradesh. linked to pollination deficiency, possibly owing shall be producing at least 1 500 tonnes for The slash in import duty on raw silk from to the smoke from forest fires reducing bee export to Iran.” About 5 000 jobs will be 33 to 5 percent last March has wiped the abundance or to the reluctance of some bees created once production kicks off. “We have smiles off the faces of nearly 10 lakh silk to visit fragmented landscapes. 14 000 hectares, but we are currently farmers of the state, who are having to The creamy, pale yellow flowers are also a utilizing only 1 000. We hope to increase battle rising expenditure and dipping favoured food of paca, peccary, armadillo and production this year,” Mousavi added. incomes. deer. Hunters often build platforms near Brazil The multibillion investment is an Their misery is compounded by the low nut trees, where they wait for game to come initiative of the Iran Agro Industrial Group. minimum support price of Rs160/kg of and devour the thousands of meaty flowers If production hits full capacity, Uganda will cocoon extended by the government, which scattered on the forest floor. be among the top producers of silk in the is nowhere near their cost of production of The agouti is a true friend of the Brazil nut world. China is the number one silk around Rs350/kg. Things were even worse as it is one of the only animals able to gnaw producer, followed by India, Thailand, the some months ago when the cocoon price through the thick, hard husk of the nut fruit to Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic crashed to Rs70/kg. reach the nuts inside. It is primarily the agouti, of Iran. With the selling price slumping below the but occasionally squirrels, that disperses Mousavi said Uganda will be exporting basic cost of production, the farmers are Brazil nuts throughout the forest. The agouti silk worth US$200 000 (about 560 million being pushed into a debt trap, which they scatter-hoards the seeds up to 1 km away shillings) every year once production have no way of escaping. Small farmers are from the mother tree, burying and reburying commences, adding that the country’s in deeper trouble, having to cope with crop them at depths of 1–2 cm to dig up and eat climate was conducive for silk production. loss, poor quality yield, crashing markets during the leaner times between fruit seasons. “Whereas we can produce silk only once a and an emerging labour shortage. Many are Like squirrels, the agouti may forget some of year in Iran, in Uganda we can produce it now migrating to the cities for jobs – a trend their buried seeds, allowing the seeds to

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germinate. Given their key role in dispersing women's alternative marketing organization to que les fruits de cette espèce à usages seeds, it is important not to overhunt the certify Maya nuts produced and sold by Maya multiples sont régulièrement consommés et agouti, so that there is no shortage of Brazil Nut Institute-trained producer groups; (ii) commercialisés par différents groupes nut trees in the future. Scientists think that create a certification scheme to certify ethniques. La culture de Coula edulis reste both the work of the agouti and that of people sustainable, women-produced, fairtrade, toutefois limitée, notamment à cause du following indigenous management practices organic Maya nuts; (iii) establish an faible taux de germination de ses graines. have been responsible for creating high international Maya nut standard; (iv) promote Son bois, renommé pour sa résistance aux concentrations of Brazil nut trees in certain certified Maya nuts to the public through a Web termites, est utilisé localement comme areas. (Source: FAO, 2011. Fruit trees and site that brings together all the producer matériau de construction. Les recherches useful plants in Amazonian life.) groups in the region; (v) expand the sur les propriétés mécaniques de ce bois ont programme to the Plurinational State of confirmé ses potentialités technologiques, Project on Maya nut: an ancient food for a Bolivia and Colombia in 2012; (vi) obtain qui pourraient conduire à revendiquer pour healthy future research funding to explore the Brosimum cette espèce une place de choix parmi les Maya nuts (Brosimum alicastrum) belong to genome; (vii) expand the "Healthy Kids, essences commerciales. Mieux connu, le the fig family (Moraceae). They were the Healthy Forests" school lunch programme potentiel de Coula edulis pourrait permettre staple food for pre-Hispanic cultures from 46 schools in 2008 to 100 schools in 2012; d’envisager une gestion durable de cette throughout the neotropics, who probably ate and (viii) obtain recognition of the Maya nut in ressource, conciliant exploitation du bois et them boiled, and protected them as a source school lunch programmes from the World production alimentaire. of food that attracted their favourite game Food Programme. (Source: Eco-Index® L’abondance actuelle de l'espèce dérive species (deer, wild pigs and large forest Monthly Update, March 2012.) sans doute de l’intérêt que les hommes lui rodents). Maya nuts are exceptionally portent depuis 5 000 ans. La reconnaissance nutritious, providing high-quality protein, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: et l’intérêt des valeurs culturelle, calcium, iron, folate, fibre and antioxidants. Erika Vohman, Founder and Executive Director, économique et alimentaire de Coula edulis They are also one of the best native forage Maya Nut Institute, PO Box 2371, Crested Butte, sont en effet bien établis. Coula edulis fait species and show great promise in providing Colorado 81224, United States of America. l’objet d’utilisations diverses de la part des ecological alternatives to pasture for cattle E-mail: [email protected]; communautés locales, principalement à des ranches in the neotropics. In recent history, http://mayanutinstitute.org/ fins alimentaires et médicinales. Par Maya nuts have been critical to rural food ailleurs, son bois est utilisé pour security; thousands of villages throughout Le noisetier d’Afrique (Coula edulis Baill.). confectionner les armatures de cases et ses Central America and Mexico have survived Un produit forestier non ligneux méconnu qualités technologiques sont susceptibles drought and famine by eating the "lifesaving" Les produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL) d'être exploitées commercialement. Une nuts when no other food was available. représentent un enjeu alimentaire, culturel et attention particulière doit donc lui être The Maya Nut Institute is working to rescue économique considérable pour les prêtée, car il constituera alors un cas typique lost traditional knowledge about the Maya nut populations d’Afrique centrale. Les de ressource concurrentielle (convoitée à la tree for food, fodder and ecosystem services. communautés rurales dépendent en effet fois par les compagnies forestières et les Since our inception in 2001, we have trained largement de ces produits, sources populations locales), à l’instar du moabi. Une more than 17 000 women from 1 150 d’aliments, de fourrage, de médicaments, de description fiable de son écologie, de ses communities in Honduras, Nicaragua, gomme, de résine et de matériaux de mécanismes de régénération et de sa Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, Cuba, Peru, construction. Les PFNL commercialisés dynamique des populations devrait Jamaica and Haiti. This programme has contribuent à satisfaire des besoins permettre de disposer d’éléments de base resulted in the planting of more than 1 300 000 quotidiens et assurent des emplois et des pour envisager son exploitation durable. new seedlings. revenus, notamment pour les populations L’étude des niveaux de prélèvements par les Our programme focuses on women as the rurales. Ces dernières sont en outre populations locales, la description de sa caretakers of the family and the environment, détentrices d’excellentes connaissances, filière de commercialisation et l’analyse de and addresses key factors for sustainable issues du savoir traditionnel, quant à la son potentiel de domestication devraient livelihoods – sociocultural, environmental and valeur et aux propriétés de nombreuses compléter cette approche, en vue d’aboutir à economic – by creating leadership, educational espèces végétales encore sous-utilisées. Il un modèle de gestion qui pourrait s’avérer and economic opportunities for women and s'agit là de plantes sauvages ou cultivées applicable à d’autres PFNL moins connus. girls. Our newest programme, “Healthy Kids, dont le potentiel a été peu exploité (Source: Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ. Healthy Forests” (Bosques Sanos, Niños commercialement, mais qui constituent un 2011, 15(3): 485-495.) Sanos) aims to provide Maya nut-based school support pour la subsistance économique et lunches to rural children. Starting in alimentaire des populations locales. Ces POUR EN SAVOIR PLUS, CONTACTER L'AUTEUR Guatemala in 2008, we are now feeding ressources sous-utilisées comprennent PRINCIPAL: Christian Moupela, Université de children in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Mexico, notamment des légumes africains Liège-Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech., Laboratoire de Haiti and Guatemala with Maya nut school traditionnels. foresterie des régions tropicales et lunches. These communities are planting De nombreuses espèces donnant lieu à subtropicales, Unité de gestion des ressources Maya nut trees as “food forests” to sustain the des PFNL restent cependant en outre peu forestières et des milieux naturels, Passage des programme in the future. étudiées sur le plan scientifique, par exemple déportés, 2. B-5030 Gembloux, Belgique. In addition to these accomplishments, we Coula edulis. Les connaissances encore Courriel: [email protected]; plan to carry out the following: (i) create a fragmentaires à ce sujet montrent pourtant [email protected]/

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%RATTAN peeled off and used for weaving, while the The important role of rattan plantations in "core" of the rattan can be used for various salvaging the rattan furniture industry in Rattan: facts and figures purposes in furniture-making (wicker). the Philippines What is rattan and where is it found? Rattan Some rattan fruits exude a red resin called Rattan production in the Philippines is is a naturally renewable palm that grows in dragon's blood. This resin was once experiencing a drastic decline. Forest the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and considered to have medicinal properties and statistics show that 32 336 000 lineal Australasia and is used, among other things, was also used as a dye for violins. metres of cane in 2008 were reduced to for furniture, handicrafts and building Other rattan benefits. Rattan harvesting and 3 102 000 m in 2009. This resulted in a loss material. Rattan continues to be an processing provide alternatives to logging in export revenue of more than US$12 000 invaluable part of rural people’s livelihoods timber in areas where forests are scarce. In for that period alone. With the continuing in South and Southeast Asia. fact, rattan grows best under some sort of destruction of forest habitat, it is expected Rattan belongs to the palm family tree cover, including secondary forest, fruit that this scenario will further worsen. In (Arecales or Palmea) and is found from sea orchards, tree plantations or rubber estates. 1988, the Philippine Government level up to 3 000 m. Around 600 species and As a result, rattan planting indirectly protects established approximately 12 000 ha of 13 genera of rattan are known. Although tree cover, along with forests. Some rattan rattan plantations to salvage this most rattan species are native to the tropical species are appropriate for small-scale multimillion dollar industry, which means regions of Africa, Asia and Australia, there is cultivation under fruit trees or in rubber that these materials are now ready for wide variety in their distribution. gardens. This allows smallholders to earn harvest. Plantations could definitely Commercially used rattan usually grows in extra money on small areas of land. (Source: provide an inexhaustible supply of raw hilly tropical areas, with a mean annual WWF Web site, wwf.panda.org/). canes for the industry but their use is a big temperature of 25° C and an annual rainfall risk for manufacturers. Limited of 2 000 mm. As a result, the main area for information pertaining to the growth habits rattan production is in the tropical regions of of the plant and on the kind and quality of South and Southeast Asia. cane produced in plantations is the cause There are different types of rattan palms, of such uncertainties. such as high or low climbers, single- Financial assistance from the stemmed or clustered rattan species. Some International Foundation for Science (IFS), have very short and underground stems. Sweden, the Philippine Government and Several rattan species are known to reach the University of the Philippines Los Baños lengths of 100 m. has led to a series of scientific inquiries on The majority of the world’s rattans are plantation-grown Calamus merrillii Becc. found in Indonesia’s forests, with most of the (palasan), one of the commercially rest of the world's supply provided by the important Philippine species. Data Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the Lao revealed that the growth rate of the cane People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia, was highly affected by the soil pH, organic Viet Nam and Bangladesh. Almost all rattan matter, nitrogen, potassium and is collected from tropical rain forests. phosphorous content of the site. Because of deforestation, rattan populations Rattan is the common name for a Furthermore, site elevation, amount of have decreased over the last few decades diverse group of climbing palms found sunlight exposure and topography also had and there is now a shortage of supply. throughout Old World tropical forests. a direct impact on cane production. Growth Rattan collection and processing. Rattan is They have been used for binding, rate ranged from 0.36 to 3.79 m/yr. an attractive resource because it is easier to basketry, home construction, food and In terms of basic cane properties, harvest than timber, easier to transport and numerous other non-market purposes studies showed that fibre length was from also grows more quickly than trees. Rattan for centuries while the canes of some 1.3649 to 1.9124 mm, fibre wall thickness canes are cut in the forest and are partially species are gathered for the from 0.0054 to 0.0109 mm and fibre processed before being sold. Canes of small multibillion dollar furniture, handicraft distribution from 21.14 to 38.42 percent. diameter are dried in the sun and often and mat-making industries. Simply put, Specific gravity varied from 0.38 to 0.51, smoked using sulphur. Large canes are rattan is vital to the culture and modulus of rupture was from 14.35 to boiled in oil to make them dry and protect economic well-being of millions of 32.45 MPa, while modulus of elasticity them from insects. collectors, artisans and labourers went from 3.23 to 6.37 GPa. All these Rattan products. Because it is light, durable throughout tropical Asia and Africa. properties were minimally affected by the and relatively flexible, rattan is used for a (Source: S.F. Siebert. 2012. The nature growth rate of the plant. Unlike wood range of purposes: food (the inner core as and culture of rattan: reflections on whose properties are normally altered in well as the shoot of some of the rattan vanishing life in the forests of plantation conditions because of the species is edible); furniture (the main end- Southeast Asia. University of Hawai’i production of juvenile wood, plantation- product of rattan); shelter (rattan is an Press, Honolulu, Hawaii.) grown palasan stems were unaffected by approved material for house building in rural (Please see pages 10–11 and 74 for growth-enhancing activities. areas); and handicrafts (besides furniture, more information.) Furthermore, comparing the properties handicrafts provide the main income of the of plantation-grown canes with wild canes rattan industry). The skin of rattan strands is taken from natural forest revealed that the

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two were practically the same in all economy. A major aim of the 2012 shea set like a gel nail under ultraviolet light. aspects, e.g. mechanical, physical, conference (www.globalshea.com) is to This curing process makes shellac more structural and chemical properties. They highlight and strengthen the shea flexible and durable than the average were also similar in terms of their industry’s focus on the triple bottom line of manicure, and avoids the lengthy drying softening temperatures. Thus, it can be people, planet and profit. times of regular polish. said that plantation-grown palasan stems With 12 000 tonnes in processing capacity The treatment is more nail friendly than its behave similarly to wild canes during and 35 000 tonnes of shea nuts harvested for gel counterpart in that no sculpting or heavy processing. This proves that plantation export each year, Benin is an ideal place for filing is required, and nails may feel stronger canes could be extensively used in the industry stakeholders to identify new and look healthier as a result. (Source: rattan industry without sacrificing the investment opportunities that will benefit Edmonton Journal, 8 February 2012.) quality of the finished products. This is business and local communities. good news for rattan manufacturers not “We see our annual participation in the only in the Philippines but in all rattan- shea conference as critical,” said Monica % STEVIA producing nations. (Contributed by: Dr Hjorth of AAK, the world’s leading trader of Willie P. Abasolo, Chair, Forest Products shea nuts. “It allows us to discuss the most Stevia in Europe and Paper Science Department, University important issues in an industry that has such In case you missed it, the European Union of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, a huge impact on the world.” (EU) approved stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) last Philippines 4031. Fax. 63-49-536-3206; The conference includes a business-to- autumn as a food additive for foods and e-mail: [email protected]/) business forum that will match companies to beverages. The approval, specifically service providers, financiers, suppliers and intended for stevia’s sweetening compounds others, according to their needs. A set of field (steviol glycosides), comes at a time when % SHEA BUTTER trips will take conference participants to consumers increasingly demand products important industry sites across Benin. with little or no added sugars. According to As the shea industry continues to grow, After launching the Global Shea Alliance at market research group Datamonitor, global stakeholders set their sights on Cotonou Shea 2011 in April, industry stakeholders are launches of products with “no sugar added” for annual conference developing the vision for the industry. The positioning increased from 490 to 2 308 With rising global interest in shea, the Alliance connects hundreds of companies during 2009–2010. African shea industry is growing at an across the sector, providing a platform for But an EU approval is just the beginning unprecedented rate. Prices for shea have advocacy, promoting shea worldwide, and for stevia foods in Europe. While proponents increased by a staggering 50 percent since helping to set quality standards across the of the zero-calorie, natural sweetener are 2006 as the shea-producing industry has industry. “The Alliance has brought together understandably smitten over its growing forged connections and built on its strength. the entire industry to build strength and forge recognition, the European legislation (as it Now, industry stakeholders will focus on collaborations for the positive development of currently reads) presents some initial positive impacts to communities and the shea industry worldwide,” said Eugenia challenges. Stevia-sweetened products must strengthening sustainability at the sixth Akuete, President of the Global Shea Alliance. have the ingredient listed under its annual shea conference, which is being Shea, which is used widely in food designated E number – E 960 – which may be hosted by the Global Shea Alliance. “The products, is also growing in popularity for its accompanied by the ingredient name steviol industry is expanding so rapidly – this is a benefits as a natural cosmetic as well as glycosides. This isn’t doing much for the critical time for shea,” said Gilles Adamon of emerging research suggesting health average consumer who isn’t yet familiar with Natura, a Benin shea butter producer. benefits of its natural oils. (Source: West the stevia plant, much less the name of its Shea nuts grow on wild trees that are Africa Trade Hub, 21 February 2012.) scientifically active compound. critical to maintaining environmental (Please see page 70 for more information.) A listing of stevia leaf or stevia extract sustainability in the West African Sahel region. elsewhere on product packaging would make Harvested mainly by some four million for a “friendlier” label, but allowing women in the region, shea is a significant and %SHELLAC alternative wording will be up to individual growing source of income for families and member states. Marketers may also wish to communities. A 2010 USAID study showed Shellac's as tough as nails fall back on images of the stevia plant, if that for every US$1 000 of shea nuts sold at Edmonton, Canada. A manicure that lasts up authorized. the farmgate level, US$1 580 in additional to two weeks without chipping or smudging An acceptable daily intake (ADI) for steviol household income is generated in the local may sound too good to be true, but thanks to glycosides set at 4 mg/kg of body weight a hybrid gel polish, it doesn’t have to be. presents another challenge. The European One of the biggest nail innovations of 2010, Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (Parma, Italy), shellac (a resin secreted by the female lac the health body that established ADI, insect, Laccifera lacca) has steadily gained considers it a “conservative” level that might recognition for its sleek finish and long- still be exceeded by some users. lasting results. Developed by California- Flavoured soft drinks are predicted to be based company Creative Nail Design, shellac the biggest contributors of stevia to the EU is steadily gaining popularity in Canada as diet. Exposure limits in these products well. The product brushes on like regular nail specifically may be subject to change. EFSA polish, but is the first-ever “powder polish” to says that it will reassess this ADI in the

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future, following information it will request most locations, simple machines used to from producers and users of steviol extract the kernels from macadamia nut glycosides. (Macadamia spp.) or kukui (candlenut) But even with intangibles like these yet to could also be adapted to work for tamanu. be clarified, the notion of mass stevia The kernels need to be dried to produce the consumption in Europe is not going oil. Sun drying takes one to two months, but anywhere. Whereas EFSA directives allow nuts may also be dried in homemade solar member states a “take it or leave it” driers similar to those used to dry fruit or approach to legislation, the stevia approval coffee, or in an oven at 37° C. In former comes in the form of a regulation, something times, nuts were baked on hot rocks from a the International Stevia Council (Brussels) fire. Some kernels will develop mould affirms cannot be denied in any member during the drying process, and these need state. “Steviol glycosides have been to be removed daily or they will ruin the authorized through a Commission whole batch. Wood-fired copra driers are Regulation and therefore EU member states sometimes used to dry tamanu kernels on Calophyllum inophyllum have to implement the legal text in full,” said islands where there is a copra industry, but the International Stevia Council’s executive and diseases and sores such as dry skin, this lends a smoky odour to the oil. Kernels director Maria Teresa Scardigli. “They do not psoriasis, eczema, ringworm and even may be cut in half to speed the drying have the freedom to deny the use of stevia at nappy rash. The oil has traditionally been process. Processing begins when the a national level.” used to treat rheumatism and inflammation kernels turn deep golden brown and an oily Stevia’s approval in Europe casts a little and is believed to help heal scars. film forms on the surface. The kernels are more uncertainty on the artificial sweetener While some claims are clearly then ground in a food grinder and cold- industry worldwide. To make Europe’s case exaggerated, medical research has shown pressed to extract the oil. Extraction of the more interesting, EFSA recently announced that tamanu oil has antibacterial properties oil in boiling water is not recommended as its intent to speed up a risk assessment of and may help promote healing of scars. heating may change the chemical the artificial sweetener aspartame, from its Other tamanu plant extracts and chemicals properties of the oil. Tamanu oil is usually original 2020 deadline to a much earlier derived from them have been shown to sold in pure form but it may also be mixed deadline of 2012. Rising concern from decrease the growth of tumours and inhibit with olive oil or shea butter. It has a shelf- regulatory bodies and consumers over leukaemia cells in laboratory settings. The life of about a year. artificial sweeteners has already led results of some studies have even shown suppliers to take stock in stevia and other that inophyllums, chemicals extracted from Value-added processing alternatives. Shortly following the EU’s stevia tamanu oil, inhibit HIV reverse The value of tamanu oil lies not just in its approval, Chicago-based Merisant, which transcriptase in a novel way, which physical and healing properties, but with supplies the artificial sweetener Equal, indicates that some day they may be used the connection that consumers make with expanded its Misura stevia line with a launch as part of a combination therapy for AIDS. the Pacific islands. For Western users, it of the first tabletop stevia sweetener in Italy. The main fatty acids that comprise the oil allows an escape from the daily routine and Other companies have made similar are palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic the chance to try something exotic. For advancements. (Source: Nutritional Outlook, acids. There has been at least one case consumers in Hawai‘i or Polynesia, using 8 February 2012.) documented of an allergic reaction to the tamanu oil allows them to connect with a oil, so individuals should apply a small cultural tradition. The oil is seen as a treat amount first as a test before using. A or an indulgence rather than something for %TAMANU OIL qualified medical professional should be everyday use. As currently sold, it is consulted for serious or long-term injuries packaged in very small bottles, usually only Uses and products or diseases. 30 ml (1 oz) and seldom more than 60 ml Oil extracted from the fruit of the tamanu Tamanu oil was traditionally used as (2 oz) with labels evoking Hawai‘i or the (Calophyllum inophyllum) has been used as lamp oil in Polynesia and has been South Pacific. For the Hawai‘i market (or for a traditional medicine and cosmetic in proposed as a source of biodiesel. However, marketing to those who have visited Pacific island cultures for centuries. The oil the high value of the oil in the cosmetics Hawai‘i), the oil is labelled kamani oil, using is tinted green, is thick and woodsy or nutty market today makes it unlikely that it would the Hawaiian name, but for the rest of the smelling, and is easily absorbed into the be burned for energy. In addition to the fatty world it is more commonly labelled tamanu skin. It does not solidify in cool weather as acids, the oil also contains up to 30 percent oil, using the Tahitian name. Although the does coconut oil. Modern cosmetic products resins, and there was early interest in the oil is now also sourced from Madagascar, based on tamanu oil are sometimes mixed use of the oil as a varnish. Traditionally, the marketing emphasizes the connection with with olive oil or shea butter. oil was used to help waterproof kapa (bark Tahiti or Hawai‘i rather than with Africa. Traditional and modern uses are all cloth) in Hawai‘i. Value is added to the product not so much topical – the oil is not edible. In addition to Tamanu nuts are usually harvested from by processing as by packaging and being used as a massage oil and skin the ground beneath wild stands. The nuts marketing. Some oil is marketed as being moisturizer, tamanu oil has traditionally are harvested when the husks are partially USDA-certified organic, although it is been used to treat various skin injuries such or wholly rotten but the kernels are still unlikely that pesticides or chemical as scrapes, burns, insect bites, sunburn, fresh. While processing is done by hand in fertilizers are used to any great extent for

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 24 May 2012 SPECIALPRODUCTS FEATURES AND MARKETS 43

tamanu. Tamanu wood is likewise prized in "Furthermore, NWFPs allow us to better wonder then that people pay as much as Hawai‘i, Tahiti and elsewhere in the Pacific inform the public about the benefits of US$50 000/kg, roughly the same as the price because of its cultural connections. certification as people can relate more to of gold. forest-derived products such as truffles, The rhinoceros and its horn are not alone: Markets essential oils, mushrooms and even beer – powdered tiger bone is used to treat Tamanu oil is traded internationally, from products that they can experience with all rheumatism; and the scales of the toothless, wholesale producers to bottlers and retailers. their senses. Timber products such as anteater-like pangolin are believed to reduce Retail prices advertised on the Internet for wooden beams, paper or furniture tend to be swelling and improve blood circulation. It is a pure tamanu oil range from US$4.00 to of a more 'functional' nature and therefore do similar story for many other endangered US$40.00 for a 30 ml bottle. Shelf prices for not convey the message of sustainability that species whose commercial use is restricted tamanu oil in Hawai‘i are about US$10 for a well," Mr Brunori continued. – or banned outright – by the Convention on 30 ml bottle. Opportunities exist to produce The truffles are harvested by hand in the International Trade in Endangered Species and market locally sourced tamanu oil for region's PEFC-certified Baredi Forest, which of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). local sale in resort locations rather than covers over 160 ha of communal land. The The illicit trade in wildlife is a booming producing it in bulk for the wholesale market. Muzzana white truffle boasts a unique odour industry, estimated by the United States In Hawai‘i, consumers might prefer oil and is considered to be very tasty and of high congressional research service to be worth produced in Hawai‘i from trees grown in value to chefs everywhere, and has a retail as much as US$20 billion globally each year. Hawai‘i, and a grower would be able to realize value of around €3 000/kg. Although this figure includes trade in more income from local retail sales than from Certification of the truffles was pioneered bushmeat, skins and exotic pets, in the wholesale sales. (Source: J.B. Friday and R. by the Associazione Muzzana Amatori Tartufi expanding Asian market, estimated to be the Ogoshi. Tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum). (Muzzana Amateur Truffle Association) and largest in the world, a significant driver is In C.R. Elevitch (ed.). 2011. Specialty crops for involves a system that assigns barcodes to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Indeed, Pacific islands. Permanent Agriculture each and every truffle harvested on behalf of despite showing signs of decline in the Resources, Holualoa, Hawaii.) the Association. In addition to originating 1990s, the poaching and trade of from PEFC-certified forests, this system also endangered animals such as tigers and FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: ensures that the truffles come from local rhinos are once again on the rise. Yet James B. Friday, College of Tropical Agriculture forests, namely the Baredi Forest. cheaper and more potent alternatives are and Human Resources, University of Hawai’i at "The white truffle is the most valued of all available. Organizations such as the Mànoa, Komohana Agriculture Complex, 875 underground fungi and represents a great American College of Traditional Chinese Komohana St, Hilo, HI 96720, United States of example of the value that non-wood forest Medicine say that sustainable substitutes America. E-mail: [email protected]/ resources offer to local communities," said have been used successfully for nearly two Enore Casanova, President of PEFC Friuli- decades. So why is there still a burgeoning Venezia Giulia. "Only local people with the market to use these precious animals in % TRUFFLES required skills and experience in harvesting traditional Asian medicine? are allowed to pick these certified truffles, One likely factor driving this demand is Italian truffles achieve PEFC certification and we are very proud to have harvested the the rise in the wealth of China, says Sabri White truffles (Tuber magnatum Pico) from first PEFC-certified truffles in the world." Zain, director of advocacy for TRAFFIC Muzzana del Turgnano, a small town in International in Cambridge, United northern Italy between Trieste and Udine, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Kingdom, which was established in 1973 to have become the world's first truffles to Antonio Brunori, PEFC Italia, Strada dei Loggi, 22, monitor wildlife trade. obtain PEFC certification (Programme for the 06135 Perugia, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]; The market for these substances also Endorsement of Forest Certification). www.pefc.org/ seems to be expanding. A range of new "While the main focus of PEFC as the products has emerged over the past decade, world's largest forest certification system is available as black market products or promoting sustainable forest management % WILDLIFE through online stores. “Tiger bone is now and certified timber, the importance of being used in wine,” says Debbie Banks, a certified so-called 'non-timber forest Biodiversity: endangered and in demand senior tiger investigator with the products' cannot be underestimated," said With an ingredients list that includes Antonio Brunori, Secretary General of PEFC rhinoceros horn and tiger bone, traditional Italy. "These products often represent a Asian medicine is on a collision course with significant source of income for rural wildlife preservation. communities (all over the world) and are an It looks innocuous enough: a small phial integral part of local people's lives. In bearing a white and orange label with the addition, they help in increasing their words Shi-He Ming Yan Wan. Yet the pills connection to the forest, which is certified for contained within are said to hold great its sustainable management: this healing powers, able to cure just about certification of one of its products will help anything, from a mild fever to a brain them in communicating their territory and haemorrhage, from cancer to AIDS. The natural resources, enhancing the value for pill's power, it is claimed, comes from a tourism and hospitality activities." small amount of rhinoceros horn. Little

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 24 May 2012 44 PRODUCTSSPECIAL AND FEATURESMARKETS

Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a Switzerland. “If something is rare it becomes Bhutan, India and Nepal are home to over campaign group in London. Association with more attractive,” he says. “And the rarer 65 percent of the 3 000 or so remaining wild status is a major issue, reflected in the something is, the more valuable it becomes.” tigers. Bangladesh faces severe demographic of the modern-day user of Scanlon concedes that he only has conservation challenges, said the these products, says Zain. “It is a myth that “rumour and anecdotal evidence” that statement, adding that 4–5 percent of these products are only being consumed by anyone is actually “investing” in the demise faunal species and about 10 percent of an older generation. It is also young, wealthy of a species. “It is still speculative,” he adds. floral diversity have become extinct in the professionals,” he says. “It may be a way of According to EIA, however, tiger farms are last century in the country. showing their peers that they can afford stockpiling the bones and skins of tigers that No single country can manage or these very expensive medicinal products.” die. Indeed, Chinese authorities have set up eliminate the threat of wildlife poaching on In Viet Nam, which is one of the largest two operations – one in Guangxi and one in its own, said the statement, adding that markets for TCM outside China, traditional Geilongjiang – to dismember the carcasses neither can a single country manage remedies are much sought after. If incomes of dead tigers and destroy all but the bones contiguous cross-border wildlife habitat were to increase, so too would consumption and skins. The Chinese authorities say this is effectively, since wild animals cannot be of products containing endangered species. to ensure there is adequate supervision of confined to national boundaries. This is hardly surprising, says Zain, given the the carcass and body parts, but why the It said conservation of these habitats perception that products such as rhino horn bones and skin are then not destroyed is not would also contribute to sustainable are capable of curing cancer – a medicinal clear. So although there is no proof of people livelihoods for people dependent on property previously unheard of in traditional stockpiling wild tiger parts, it is certainly forests. The project is expected to bring Asian medicine. happening in farms. about regional collaboration in combating But perhaps the most disturbing notion is There is no simple solution to tackle wildlife crime. (Source: Zee News [India], the prospect that people might trade in illegal trade in these endangered animals, 13 February 2012.) ♣ endangered animals as a means of “investing says Scanlon. But the hope is that progress in extinction”. This is the idea that by actively can be made by adopting diverse tactics, buying up and stockpiling rare animal parts, including controlled delivery, tracking illicit one can not only push up the price, but also substances to the buyer. (Source: Nature, encourage further poaching that will 22 December 2011.) eventually force the species into extinction. In cold-blooded business terms it makes an Regional wildlife conservation project in awful lot of sense, says John Scanlon, Asia secretary-general of CITES in Geneva, Dhaka, Bangladesh. On Sunday, the World Bank launched a wildlife conservation project here that will also cover three neighbouring countries. The Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia project, which is to be implemented in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, aims at helping participating governments to enhance shared capacity, institutions and knowledge. It also aims at addressing cross-border poaching and other regional conservation threats to habitats in border areas. With South Asia's rich biodiversity, the region is a lucrative target of the illegal wildlife trade, said the Washington-based lender in a statement, adding that illegal “Illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade poaching of the iconic tiger and elephant, has reached unprecedented levels in deer and reptiles, different species of birds Southeast Asia. If enforcement efforts and corals is the most severe threat are not stepped up, many species will be against biodiversity conservation. lost forever. Existing tools such as CITES To address this, the World Bank recently and the ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement approved a US$36 million fund for wildlife Network must be fully utilized and conservation efforts in Bangladesh. urgent action must start now.” (Source: Participation by other tiger range countries Nearly all men can stand adversity, but C.R. Shepherd, Deputy Regional Director, in South Asia and Southeast Asia is if you want to test a man’s character, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. TRAFFIC envisaged in later phases, the statement give him power. Bulletin, 23(3), 2011.) added. Bangladesh holds the largest Abraham Lincoln remaining population of tigers in the Sundarbans. Habitats across Bangladesh,

NON-WOOD NEWS No. 24 May 2012