Partners
From NTFP
Asian Centre for Underutilized Crops (ACUC), Sri Lanka
The Asian Centre for Underutilized Crops (ACUC) is a regional centre of ICUC (see below). Asia is the centre of diversity for a large number of crop species which can contribute to nutrition and play a vital role in crop diversification programmes and agro-forestry systems, and in addition to food they produce fuel, fodder, medicines, shelter and industrial products for small farmers. Biodiversity in the region is being lost at an alarming rate. The research and development for inclusion of underutilized crops within the cropping systems by Asian entrepreneurs make sense to farmers. The NARS, NGOs, farmers and entrepreneurs of the region have felt that in partnership an ever green revolution can be achieved if scientific talent and funds were channeled into improving production of underutilized crops rather than depending on a limited number of crops and because of this vision the Asian Centre for Underutilized Crops was established. Contact: Prof. HPM Gunasena, gunasenah(at)yahoo.com.
Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), Nepal
Established in 1992, the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organization working in South Asia region with its headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. ANSAB is committed to enterprise-oriented solutions to biodiversity conservation and economic development of local communities. ANSAB has a focal position in the field through its work for over a decade in ecological, technological, economic, and socio-cultural fronts associated to people-centered conservation, management and use of biodiversity especially non-timber forest products and high value crops. ANSAB has been consistently evolving, consolidating, institutionalizing and advancing the approaches and strategies for the promotion of community-based enterprises and value chains, natural resources management and biodiversity conservation, enabling policy environment and multi-stakeholders collaboration. Contact: Dr. Bhishma Subedi, bhishmasubedi(at)ansab.org.
Arab Network for Sustainable Agricultural Development (ANSAD), Jordan
ANSAD is a network of non- governmental organizations that aim at reinforcing the acquired practices in the field of sustainable agriculture and introducing new techniques in this field in a manner that preserves the various agricultural environments. ANSAD was established in October 2000. ANSAD's activities include training and capacity building; education and public awareness; volunteers for development; studies and research; advocacy and lobbying; establishment of local networks; national, regional and international collaboration. ANSAD's founding members are: Agricultural Cooperative Union, Unity Society, Yemen; Jordanian Association for Bedouin, Development and Combat Desertification; Agricultural Development Society, (PARC), Palestine; ENDA, Morocco; Housing and Employment Generation, Association (APEL), Tunisia; Land Association, Syria; Coptic Evangelical Association for Social Services, CEOSS, Egypt; Development Association, Mauritania; Noor AlHussein Foundation (NHF), Jordan. Contact: Mr. Nabeel Abu-Shriha, abushriha(at)mail.com.
BAIF Development Research Foundation, India
BAIF's mission is to create self-employment opportunities for the rural families, ensuring sustainable livelihood, enriched environment and inculcating good human values. Apart from focusing on improving the traditional economic activities of the family e.g. through agriculture, horticulture, water resources, land development, livestock improvement, micro-enterprises etc., the BAIF approach also enables improved community health status, women’s empowerment, people’s organisation promotion and linkages to the market, government, banks and access to other development agencies and services. Contact: Dr. Narayan Hegde, nghegde(at)baif.org.in.
cetes GmbH, Germany
cetes GmbH is a private company established in the year 2000. The main business is project management. Clients are public, private, and not for profit organizations. cetes works in the fields of: commercialization of scientific innovation (turns an idea into a project, and makes the project earn a living for people); business creation for universities and non governmental groups; transnational transfer of technologies, products, and processes; transnational marketing and sales; feasibility studies, research on marketing, regional development. Contact: Mr. Michael Koeppen, koeppen(at)cetes.de.
Centre for Indian Bamboo Resource & Technology (CIBART), India
The Centre for Indian Bamboo Resource and Development (CIBART) has been facilitated by INBAR as a dedicated agency for bamboo development in India. CIBART is an independent non-profit organization (Section 25 company) and has strengths in various areas such as resource development and management, satellite-based resource inventory, GIS planning, monitoring and evaluation systems, marketing, product design and development, industrial development, engineering and housing, enterprise development, technology transfer and community development. CIBART serves as a catalyst to the bamboo industry in India undertaking various collaborative livelihood development projects. CIBART brings together state and district level bamboo organizations and enterprises in a federating mode. CIBART’s main area of focus is to achieve livelihood development, ecological security and economic development through the sustainable use of bamboo and rattan. Its primary focus is on benefiting poor rural communities. Contact: Ms. Rathna Sekar, kr_sekar2003(at)yahoo.co.in.
Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada
The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) is an intergovernmental organisation created by Commonwealth Heads of Government to encourage the development and sharing of open learning/distance education knowledge, resources and technologies. COL is helping developing nations improve access to quality education and training. In part due to the efforts of COL and its Commonwealth-wide network over the past ten years, distance education is now a part of the mainstream of education and training. It enables students to learn at the location, time and pace of their choice, for less money and with improved results. COL's goals include maximizing the transfer of information, ideas, innovations and resources to support this rapid evolution of distance education. Contact: Dr. Krishna Alluri, kalluri(at)col.org.
Dabur India Limited
Dabur India Limited is the fourth largest FMCG company in India with interests in Health Care, Personal Care and Food Products. Dabur operates in more than five countries and has sales worldwide. Dabur's main asset is its knowledge base and the backup of research initiatives through modern science. Dabur deals mainly with traditional Ayurvedic products (medicinal plants). Contact: Dr. NB Brindavanam, baba(at)dabur.com.
ECO Consult, Germany
ECO Consult has long standing experience in the field of non-timber forest products with household energy and wood fuel production being one of our main fields of work. Our expertise covers the integration of household energy and forest management, development of technologies for improved stoves and charcoal kilns, development of models for household energy demand and supply, strategies for mainstreaming improved technologies, and concept development and implementation of training activities. Long-term projects include the Household Energy Project (PED) in Chad, the Environmentally Sound Energy Supply (GREENMAD) in Madagascar, and the Programme to support the rural electrification and the sustainable supply with household fuel (PERACOD) in Senegal. Team members are involved in the Household Energy Donor Network (HEDON) and deliver support in concept development and training for HERA, the household energy project of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). In 1996 ECO developed an NTFP concept for the World Agroforestry Centre and one year later a strategy paper for GTZ dealing with fundamental issues related to NTFPs in development cooperation. Since then ECO has analysed the opportunities and promoted the acknowledgement and sustainable development of non-timber forest products in various projects. Contact: Dr. Steve Sepp, steve.sepp(at)eco-consult.com.
Fundación Chile
Fundación Chile aims to generate models of sustainable use for forest resources by increasing the value supply of wood products and forest-based services. This will be achieved with complementary elements like non-wood forest products (NWFP), nature tourism services and the generation of opportunities in the carbon market and forest biomass. Under its Forest and Forestry Industries programme, the Fundación Chile is carrying out bamboo and NTFP projects. Contact: Mr. Carlos Kahler, ckahler(at)fundacionchile.cl.
Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), Italy
GFAR is a multi-stakeholder initiative that contributes to eradicating poverty, achieving food security, and conserving and managing natural resources. It enhances national capacities to generate, adapt and transfer knowledge.
The Global NTFP Partnership has been approved in December 2006 as a GFAR Global Partnership Programme (GPP). GFAR is fostering GPPs which are collaborative programmes, projects or activities initiated, developed and implemented by recognized GFAR stakeholder groups, and which remain open to participation by other stakeholders as and when they find a suitable niche. GPPs seek to exploit the comparative advantages of participating stakeholders, and are aimed to be implemented at the most effective level - local, regional or global. NTFP is one of eight GFAR GPPs.
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) came into being out of widespread recognition of the alarming environmental degradation of mountain habitats and consequent increase in impoverishment of mountain communities in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) Region. The primary objectives of the Centre is to help promote the development of an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem and to improve the living standards of mountain populations in the HKH Region. In pursuing its mandate, ICIMOD works mainly at the interface between research and development and acts as a facilitator for generating new mountain-specific knowledge of relevance to mountain development. At the same time, ICIMOD attempts to ensure that new knowledge is shared among all relevant institutions, organisations, and individuals in the region. Contact: Dr. Madhav Karki, mkarki(at)icimod.org.
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya
The International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) has an ultimate purpose guiding its research. It is to work towards mitigating tropical deforestation, land depletion and rural poverty through improved Agroforestry systems. Its goal is to initiate and assist in the generation and dissemination of appropriate Agroforestry technologies for resource-poor farmers and other land users. Agroforestry technologies can help these farmers increase their productivity and the sustainability of their operations. Agroforestry can build up soil fertility and prevent soil erosion. It can provide extra benefits, including cash in hand, for the farm family through various tree products-fodders, fuel wood, food, building materials and more. Contact: Dr. Xu Jianchu, j.c.xu(at)cgiar.org.
International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC), Sri Lanka
The International Centre for Underutilised Crops (ICUC) is a global research, development and training organisation. It provides expertise and acts as a knowledge hub for tropical, sub-tropical and temperate plant development. Since its inception in 1989, ICUC has supported research on national priorities for germplasm collections, agronomy and post-harvest methodology of underutilised species and associated scientific conferences and training events. More recently, its focus has expanded to include processing and marketing assessments and training to local people. In the last 17 years, ICUC has contributed to better food security, economic development, a more sustainable environment and knowledge mobilisation. Contact: Dr. Hannah Jaenicke, h.jaenicke(at)cgiar.org.
In-Hand Abra Foundation, Philippines
In-Hand Abra Foundation is a non-government organization which has been involved in sustainable development with the use of bamboo for rural industrialization. Specifically, it aims to uplift the rural poor into a strong educated middle class through the development of communities into viable small and medium scale production units, for these communities to become self-managed. Networked industries are being developed with the capacity to fulfill basic requirements, thus developing their self-reliant capability and at the same time owning, as individuals and community organizations, the accumulated profits as seed capital for succeeding productive investment. Contact: Ms. Carmelita Bersalona, cbersalona(at)gmail.com.
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), China
The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) was set up in 1997 as an inter-governmental organization globally mandated for the development of the bamboo sector, and more recently also made the International Commodity Body for bamboo. INBAR develops, provides and promotes appropriate technologies and solutions, with the aim to enhance the quality of life of poor and disadvantaged people in developing countries and to make a favorable impact on forests and degraded environments. As a global network, INBAR links up with a diversity of stakeholders, and acts as a public information bank and technology adviser on all aspects of bamboo production to consumption. Its programs cover livelihood and economic development and environmental aspects; and cover social, engineering, natural resources management, use of the products; and diffusion of validated technology and information. INBAR provides leadership, coordination and support for strategic and innovative development research activities involving bamboo and rattan. Contact: Dr. Ralf Kwaschik, rkwaschik(at)inbar.int.
International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) - Non-wood forest products, Austria
The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) is a non-profit, non-governmental international network of forest scientists. Its objective is to promote international cooperation in forestry and forest products research. IUFRO is “the” global network for forest science cooperation. It unites more than 15,000 scientists in almost 700 Member Organizations in over 110 countries, and is a member of ICSU. Scientists cooperate in IUFRO on a voluntary basis. IUFRO attains its objectives by networking activities including the generation, exchange and dissemination of scientific knowledge, the provision of access to relevant information, and the assistance to scientists and institutions to strengthen their research capacities. Contact: Dr. Jim Chamberlain, jachambe(at)vt.edu.
Ministry of Agriculture, Ecuador
Within the framework of Forest Development, farmers in Ecuador are experimenting with achieving the objectives of ecological viability, technical, social and economic development, through the development of "technical models for managing native forests". The alternatives that are being tested include non-timber forest products: orchids, medicinal plants, and bamboo (Aulonemia queko, Chusquea sp. and Aulonemia sp.). Contact: Mr. Ramiro Coronado, sfagroproductivo(at)mag.gov.ec.
Ministry of Agriculture, Mozambique
The Ministry of Agriculture of Mozambique, through its Instituto de Investigação Agrária de Moçambique and the National Directorate of Lands and Forests (DNTF), is actively promoting non-wood forest products (NWFP). There is a wide range of NWFP that are produced and marketed by the rural communities in Mozambique. The most remarkable ones include medicinal plants, grass, bamboo, and reed, foods such as wild vegetables, fruits and tubers. The degree to which they are marketed depends on the distance to and from the market. Contact: Ms. Esperanca Chamba, erechamba(at)hotmail.com.
Ministry of Environment & Forestry (MOEF), India
The Ministry of Environment and Forests, India, is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes. The Ministry is also the Nodal agency in the country for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The principal activities undertaken by Ministry of Environment & Forests consist of conservation & survey of flora, fauna, forests and wildlife, prevention & control of pollution, afforestation & regeneration of degraded areas and protection of environment, in the framework of legislations. Contact: Mr. AK Johari, johari60(at)yahoo.com.
National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), Laos
The National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute of Laos was established in 1999 in order to consolidate agriculture and forestry research activities within the country and develop a coordinated National Agriculture and Forestry Research System. NAFRI belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). NAFRI is mandated to undertake integrated agriculture, forestry and fisheries research in order to provide technical information, norms and results which help to formulate strategy in accordance with the government policies. NAFRI has four main functions including: carrying out adaptive research, developing methods, tools and information packages, providing policy feedback, and coordinating and managing research. NAFRI currently has five research thrusts: 1. Maximizing return per land unit through productivity improvement 2. Improving land use planning and management procedures 3. Improving enabling environment and mechanisms to support agriculture and forestry production for increased land use effectiveness 4. Marketing and quality requirements for agriculture and forestry products 5. Sustainable management, utilization and conservation of natural resources. Contact: Dr. Horst Weyerhaeuser, horstweyerhaeuser(at)fastmail.fm.
SNV - Netherlands Development Organization
SNV is a Netherlands-based international development organisation that provides advice to local organisations in developing countries; a consultancy for those organisations that lack access to the commercial market. SNV advisers work closely with local organisations in more than 25 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe to harness their own solutions for development. SNV carries out activities in the NTFP sector in various countries, including Laos. Examples include edible fruits and animals, bamboo, rattans and resins. NTFPs are an important but largely hidden sector of the Lao economy, and have great potential for poverty alleviation, food security, biodiversity conservation and private sector development - if they are harvested and managed sustainably. Two SNV advisers are based at the government’s Forestry Research Centre (FRC), advising on the creation of a national NTFP network, capacity building in the area of NTFP research and training, and on supporting forest user groups and micro-enterprises. For more information go to the SNV Global Website or to SNV Laos. Contact: Mr. Joost Foppes, jfoppes(at)snvworld.org.
Sri Lanka Multipurpose Tree Species Research Network
The Multipurpose Tree Species (MPTS) Research Network is a local research network aiming to meet the needs of small-scale farms for fuel wood and other tree products. The activities of the network are coordinated by a National MPTS Research Committee where experts from national institutions in forestry, agriculture and social sciences, universities, tree growers as well as NGOs are represented. The focal point of this network is the Faculty of Agriculture of Peradeniya University. One of the main activities is a multi-locational species trial. Other activities include studies on farmers' objectives as regards tree breeding, regional survey of farm and village forestry practices, regional comparative studies and also establishment of a marketing network for MPTS products. Contact: Dr. D.K.N.G. Pushpakumara, ngpkumara(at)pdn.ac.lk.
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board (UBFDB), India
Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fiber Development Board is the state nodal agency for the promotion of bamboo and natural fiber based livelihood development in the state of Uttarakhand setup under the aegis of Government of Uttarakhand. UBFDB was setup in the year 2003, since then, UBFDB is mandated for development and promotion of bamboo, ringal (High Altitude Bamboo), natural fibers (presently 70 species), focusing on industrial hemp, Himalayan nettle, agave, bhimal, and on seasonal grasses, etc. UBFDB's main objective is to promote livelihood development and environmental protection. UBFDB is undertaking activities in an integrated approach focusing on all the aspects of development. Contact: Mr. STS Lepcha, stslepcha(at)gmail.com.
Utthan, India
Utthan was founded in 1996 and is headed by Dr. D.N. Tiwari. Utthan operates in the areas of research & development for promoting sustainable development, education, health & human development for eradication of poverty & empowerment of weaker people. It also carries out programmes for surface soil mined areas around cities, degraded forest lands, dry lands and wastelands.
Its projects cover distressed migration areas; backward and inaccessible areas with poor communities and communication; and areas with deficits in food, nutrition and health support. These include ten districts in Uttar Pradesh, two districts in Chhattisgarh and four districts in Madhya Pradesh States. Utthan's main activities are: Demonstrating and promoting agroforestry models in different ecosystems; Promoting herbal medicines; Developing technology for cultivation of Jatropha curcas in degraded lands for biodiesel production; Demonstrating watershed management, rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge for augmenting water availability; Reclaiming degraded land through watershed development; Implementing Joint Forest Management strategies for curbing deforestation; Literacy and adult education programmes; Health and Sanitation programmes and health fairs; Environmental fairs. Contact: Dr. D.N. Tiwari, dn.tiwari(at)nic.in.
