SNV World > Sudan > About us > Results

Gum acacia Value chain
In 2005, SNV south Sudan programme engaged the communities in Gum acacia collection and marketing as a pilot program in Eastern Equatorial state. We built the capacity of local community based organisations, in the harvesting, storage, cleaning and marketing of gum acacia. In the initial phase communities were able to collect 19 tonnes of high quality gum and marketing with high premium prices. Based lessons learned, the programme has been expanded to three cluster areas in the Eastern Equatoria state by involving more community based organisations to mobilise local communities and collectors. Currently we are working with three community based organisations that are actively involved in community mobilization for gum production and marketing. So far an additional 10 tonnes of high quantity gum has been collected in the period 2007 - 2008.

Shea Nuts (Lulu) value chain
Shea Butter has for centuries been recognized as a valuable vegetable oil. In South Sudan, it is playing a bigger role in bridging food insecurity gaps as source of alternative food and cash income for households. According to research carried out by SNV in 2005, the natural stand of Shea in South Sudan include large parts of the Bahr el Ghazal region and in Equatoria; the southern parts of Western Equatoria, central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria. In Eastern Equatotia, Shea is mainly found in the whole of Magwi County, towards the Lopit hills and in areas of Budi County (around Chukudum). Due to lack of market information and access to improved technology, communities living in some areas of high Shea density woodlands are unable to exploit and manage Shea to generate sufficient income.

Through a collaborative effort with FAO/UN, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Government of South Sudan, and local NGOs (Magwi Action for Self Reliance Association and Native technology), SNV had undertaken a joint Shea assessment study in Magwi in South Sudan. Based on the assessment report we are designing a Shea value chain intervention strategy for Magwi County.

By 2009, SNV envisages that an additional 18,000 people will enjoy increased incomes from non timber forest products in South Sudan. This will mean that the households have increased their household production and marketing of non timber forest products as a means of securing their livelihoods.