Abstract
Nature based Enterprises are ventures that can be exploited to support biodiversity utilization, conservation and equitable benefit sharing from derived resources. This paper highlights the potential of nature based enterprises in enhancing community livelihoods in Kenya, with specific emphasis on Matinyani Enterprise in Kitui, Kenya. The group with a membership of 60 received both theory and hands-on training by Kenya Forestry Research Institute scientistsin product development, setting up and registering an enterprise in 2010 with the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts. The training included propagation, processing and value addition of Tamarindus indica fruit jam, juice and wine. Monitoring is frequently done by scientists to ensure adherence to Kenya Bureau of Standards regulations and to maintain the quality of products. There are various indicators of adoptability of the technologies and improved livelihood among these group members; increased awareness of sustainable utilization and conservation of indigenous fruit trees, value added indigenous fruit products being sold locally and a small saving scheme merry go - round'. There is still a challenge in adoptability of the propagation techniques due to the long periods indigenous fruits take to mature. There is, therefore, need for research to be fast - tracked in this area.
Highlights
Nature based Enterprises (NBEs) are ventures that can be exploited to support biodiversity utilization, conservation and equitable benefit sharing from derived resources
In some respects conditions have improved since the early 1980s, the poverty rate has remained steady at about 48 per cent [2]. Though tthreats such as climate change and ecosystem degradation are beginning to strain those livelihoods, it is widely accepted that the poverty of forest-adjacent communities is a root cause of much forest degradation
Sustainable Income–Generating Activities (IGAs) for local communities have become a standard feature of forest conservation projects throughout the developing world [3]
Summary
Nature based Enterprises (NBEs) are ventures that can be exploited to support biodiversity utilization, conservation and equitable benefit sharing from derived resources. This qualifies them as green businesses that have the dual potential of conservation and income generation to the local communities. Poverty, combined with inadequate forest protection, leads to over-exploitation of “free” forest resources (fuel wood, pole-wood and Non – Timber Forest Products) and to illegal activities (poaching for timber, carving wood and game-meat) It restricts the ability of forest-adjacent communities to think beyond immediate needs, making them unreceptive to forest conservation messages. Sustainable Income–Generating Activities (IGAs) for local communities have become a standard feature of forest conservation projects throughout the developing world [3]
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