The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA)
The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA) is a Pan African organization assisting African producing countries and partners formulate a coordinated strategy for the sustainable development of their natural gums, resins and allied dryland resources, for improving rural livelihood and environmental conservation. The organization focuses more on enhancing value chains for improving rural livelihood and environmental conservation.
The vision of NGARA is to position African producer countries and partners as major global players in the production, processing and marketing of gums, resins and allied tree based commodities from the drylands of Sub Saharan Africa.
WHO WE ARE
OUR VISION
The NGARA vision is to position African producer countries and partners as major global players in the sustainable production, processing and marketing of gums and resins.
OUR MISSION
The NGARA mission is to assist African producer countries and partners to formulate and implement a coordinated strategy for the sustainable development of their natural gum and resin resources to improve rural livelihoods and increase resilience to climate change and desertification.
OBJECTIVES
- To promote the exchange of information on the production, marketing, processing and quality control of gums and resins in producer countries and with partners
- To facilitate access to technological development and training
- To support relevant research in the key areas of the sector.
- To promote links between primary producers, processors and end users.
CORE VALUES
- Fair trade
- Professionalism
- Sustainable resource use
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Team work
- Partnerships and linkages
- Empowerment of producers and associations
ROLE OF NGARA IN THE REGION
NGARA has implemented projects with partners at the country level and regionally.
NGARA is playing an increasingly important role in encouraging the exchange of information on gum and resin production and trade; training; technology transfer; the assessment of resources and their sustainable use; enhancing the capacities of stakeholders in member countries; and harnessing the efficient use of available resources by strengthening synergies. The establishment of NGARA was a significant step in the development of the commercial gums and resins sector in African dry-lands as a way of increasing food security, assisting rural development and alleviating poverty.
Framework of NGARA Priorities and Strategy
In an effort to contribute to Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) in the region, United Nations Strategic Plan on Forests (UNSPF) 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while putting in place strong institutional mechanisms for better coordination of the sector, NGARA has developed a Framework of Priorities 2030. Through the support of the African Union Commission (AUC), FAO and Africa Forest Forum (AFF) NGARA organized two regional workshops in Nairobi (August 2015) and Dakar (March 2016) that resulted in the development of the NGARA Strategy: Overview and Framework of Priorities 2017–2030. The NGARA strategy has identified seven key result areas and resulting ojectives as follows;
Coordination strengthenening
To strengthen the coordination of national and regional activities in support of the gums and resins sector.
Communication, advocacy and visibility enhancement
To enhance communication among NGARA’s key stakeholders
What has been achieved so far:
16
Countries of presence
1200
Families empowered
10,000
Tones of resins and gums produced
Out of passion, a purpose is born
Poverty is a major drawback in the progress of every society. It makes it difficult to provide basic human needs and wants. Many other sectors such as education, healthcare, e.t.c are badly affected by inadequacy.
Plant gums (gum arabic, gum karaya, combretums and Albizzias) and gum resins (Fankincense, Myrrh and Opoponax) are articles of commerce for millennia and remain important to the present day. In ancient times, during days of the pharaohs, they were used to preserve (mummify) bodies.
Key Partners
News and Announcements
World Desertification and Drought Day 2021 – NGARA
A brief on the World Desertification and Drought Day 2021 – NGARA To commemorate the World Desertification and Drought Day 2021, the Africa Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with Partners… Read More »World Desertification and Drought Day 2021 – NGARA
