Diversifying in Dafur

Releasing the potential of Karkadeh in Darfur

This article originally appeared in the July 2003 edition of Sharing, Practical Action Sudan's newsletter. It is retained here for reference, but may no longer contain the most recent information.

ITDGPractical Action’s long-term partnership with small-scale farmers in western Sudan is entering a new phase. Over the years, ITDGPractical Action’s intervention has led to better quality produce and greater productivity allowing access to markets and food security to improve tremendously. But now that these first hurdles have been jumped, the farmers are facing a further obstacle: excessively high competition in the marketplace.

Because of the natural environmental limits to farming on the outskirts of the Sahara, most farms produce the same crops. In the markets of Darfur, farmers are finding that you can have too much of a good thing. Competition is driving down prices, and as a result, incomes are also dropping. One way of breaking the cycle is to diversify.

Karkadeh, also known as Hibiscus sabdariffa, is a colourful plant with a lot of potential for Darfur's farmers. In Sudan it is grown in small quantities and used to make tea and also karkade, a fizzy cold drink. But in the bigger picture Hibiscus sabdariffa forms the base of almost all herbal teas, and the Sudanese 'wild-grown' variety is highly favoured by international tea manufacturers for its bright, orange-red colour and tart, acidic taste, which surpass those of cultivated crops grown in countries like China and Thailand.

Rich in pectin and citric acid, it is valuable in processing jams, jellies, ice cream and flavourings, and its medicinal properties can lower blood pressure, aid digestion and kidney function, and treat colds, fever and congestion. It is also a very hardy plant that can survive, and even thrive, in the dry climate and sandy, well-drained soil of the sub-Saharan region.

Farmers in Darfur do currently produce Karkadeh; planting, tending, harvesting and processing of the plant are women-led activities. But it is not seen as a potential cash crop, and as such there is room, not only for increasing productivity, but also for improving quality. In order to address these problems and raise awareness of the potential of karkadeh to reduce poverty and increase food security, ITDGPractical Action organised a workshop bringing all the stakeholders together to work out a solution that will benefit both exporters and farmers alike.

The workshop participants identified three main problem areas: poor product quality, low interest, and lack of marketing.

Workshop findings

• Poor Product Quality
  Workshop solution: Exporters expressed willingness to pay more for clean and better-harvested Karkadeh, encouraging farmers to improve their methods. ITDGPractical Action will work to improve the growing and harvesting of Karkadeh crops, and establish co-operative societies for Karkadeh farmers.

• Low Levels of Interest Among Farmers
  Workshop solution: Access to information on increasing Karkadeh profitability for rural producers. Supply and demand must be assessed and market selling rate monitored.

• Lack of Marketing
  Workshop solution: Establish marketing institutions for Karkadeh, supported by applied research into the value of Karkadeh, particularly in carbonated drinks, and its nutritional, medicinal and pharmaceutical properties.

Strategy for Karkadeh crops in Darfur

1. Implementation of a pilot farm with agricultural inputs such as improved seeds, solar drying, optimum storage conditions and marketing procedures;

2. Innovative farmers to be selected for the pilot farm;

3. Production process and project cycle to be monitored and evaluated;

4. Social and strategic prospects and future expansion should be based on the outcome of this experiment.

Positive results

The workshop has created a link between producers and exporters and set measures aimed at maintaining that link. The need to involve other concerned parties, including the State Ministries of Agriculture, Science and Technology, financiers and NGOs was also recognised. A forum is envisioned that will act on and develop the workshop's recommendations and establish an institution to sponsor the production, marketing and processing of Karkadeh.

This article appeared in issue three of Sharing, ITDGPractical Action Sudan's newsletter. Other articles include:

• Kassala smoke and health project tackles indoor air pollution
• Improving village water stores - using hafirs to catch rainwater
• Building small businesses in Kassala
• Capacity building in South Kordofan

See also Challenges and future vision of the General Karkade Farmer’s Producers Union KFPU in North Kordofan State from the April 2009 edition of Sharing