RCE North Rift - 2022

Location

Kenya
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KE
Extraction and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants in the North Rift: A case study of the North Rift Herbalist Association (N.R.H.A).
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Extraction and sustainable utilization of medicinal plants in the North Rift: A case study of the North Rift Herbalist Association (N.R.H.A).
Submitting RCE: 
RCE North Rift
Contributing organization(s) : 
University of Eldoret,
RCE North Rift.
North Rift Herbalist Association (N.R.H.A).
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Dr. Mark Kiptui
Organizational Affiliation: 
University of Eldoret
E-mail: 
kiptuimark2013@gmail.com
Format of project: 
Powerpoint
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Update
Web link: 
https://www.rcenetwork.org/portal/node/add/rce-projects
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Africa and Middle East
Country: 
Kenya
Location(s): 
Eldoret, Kenya
Address of focal point institution for project: 
University of Eldoret,
P.o. Box 1125-30100
Eldoret
Ecosystem(s):
Forest
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, TVET
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The County is located in the North Rift region of Kenya. The main Socio-economic activity is agriculture both crop and livestock farming. Others include wholesale and retail trading and manufacturing. The County is also a commercial hub in the region providing transport, financial and educational services. It is divided into three zones namely: the upper highlands, upper midlands and Lower highlands. The County has a total of 29,802.57Ha of gazetted forest found in Nabkoi, Timboroa, Kipkurere, Lurenge, Singalo and Kapsaret. The County face illegal logging and charcoal burning activities. Hence the need to save the forests by providing alternative source of energy for cooking as many households rely on wood fuel.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Wood fuel (Firewood and charcoal), and havesting of timber and other forest products for different usages are the main challanges the forest ecosystem is facing in this region.In the year 2012, the total firewood and charcoal demand stood at 18,702,748 m3 and 16,3225,810m3 against sustainable potential supply of 13,654,002m3 and 7,358,717m3 respectively (Ministry of Environment, water and Natural resources 2013). similarly, encrochment, land use and land cover change is also a threat to the natural resources in the region. not withstanding, the medical supply and affordability to most of the low income communities around the region is a contributing factor to the affected families. therefore the north rift herbalist association tries to find solution to this problem and at the same time contribute to sustainable utilization of the natural resources in the region.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
November, 2013 to December, 2030
Rationale: 
There is need to conserve and use wisely the medicinal resources that are available within our forest ecosystem.
this can solely be achieved through protection, conservation and restoration of our general forest ecosystems in the region.
traditional knowledge is key as it hosts the knowhow and skills in identification and extraction of the medicinal herbs.
there is need for sustainable knowledge transfer among generations.
Objectives: 
1. Roles of medicinal plants in society.
2. Sustainable extraction of different parts of the herbal plants.
3. roles of ITK in generational knowledge transfer in the society.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Engagement with North Rift Herbalists Association.
Community Visits.
Public education.
laboratory herbal tests.
Size of academic audience: 
1000
Results: 
use of the herbs has been effective in treating different ailments, with documented effeciencies.
- Many herbalists have asserted that they are able and have offered free side effects family planning options and changed the sex of the unborn baby in the desired direction.
- Herbal medicine is critical for international technical cooperation in therapeutics and healthcare research.
- Are cost effective, readily available and have aromatic values.
- Livelihood and socio- economic benefits.
- Reproductive health benefits.
- Herbal medicine boost energy especially Libidal energy among aging men.
- It has been recognised by WHO.
- They work- produces desired results.
Lessons learned: 
Challenges and threats facing herbal medicine
- Rudimentary extraction, processing, development and packaging techniques.
- Over extraction and exploitation
- Extinction of several herbal species in nature.
- Habitat and ecosystems destruction and degradation due to agricultural industrial development and urbanization.
- Deforestation for farming and wood products.
- Degrading effects of natural and anthropogenic induced fires.
- Genetic erosion especially due to G.M.Os, pesticides and herbicides.
- Lack of effective regulation.
- Human population growth induced pressure on biological resources and biodiversity in general.
Key messages: 
Traditional knowledge is important in medicinal herbs.
sustainable extraction and utilization of the herbal medicins.
challanges in extraction.
conservation and sustainable utilization

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon IMG_20220825_142907_027.jpg (5.41 MB) Group of North Rift Herbalists
Image icon IMG_20220825_142916_416.jpg (3.91 MB) Fied excusion to herbal plants within the herbalists
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
Yes
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes