Muliru Farmers

Enhancing biodiversity conservation by using natural indigenous herbal products
Biodiversity
Nairobi
Kenya

This community-based initiative seeks to conserve the Kakamega forest through the promotion of alternative income generating activities and awareness among the local, poor communities. It is a partnership between several institutions and uses traditional knowledge and modern science to develop products on the basis of wild indigenous medicinal plants. The core business of the initiative is the commercial cultivation of Ocimum kilimandscharicum, processing the plant materials into essential oil, manufacturing, and subsequently marketing, the finished Naturub®products. The initiative is committed to meeting the growing global demand for environmentally-friendly natural products, offering added value in addition to contributing to biodiversity conservation. The initiative is the only enterprise in Kenya engaged in the commercial cultivation and processing of Ocimum kilimandscharicum and currently faces no competitors. 

Eco-Inclusive Impacts
Muliru Farmers contributes to biodiversity conservation and empowers the local community to engage in alternative income-generating activities by developing products from wild indigenous medicinal plants.
  • Empowering the local population specially women by ensuring participation in decision-making, access to finance and markets, as well as information and training. 
  • Promoting the conservation of forest resources by reducing the use of firewood, fodder and timber.
  • Raising awareness among other community members to deter them from misuse of natural resources. 
  • Enabling the community members to cover basic needs for their families and improve their economic situation.
  • Encouraging the participants to start alternative businesses.

Partners

This community-based initiative seeks to conserve the Kakamega forest through the promotion of alternative income generating activities and awareness among the local, poor communities. It is a partnership between several institutions and uses traditional knowledge and modern science to develop products on the basis of wild indigenous medicinal plants.

ICIPE provides backstopping in natural products chemistry, product development, production, quality control and entrepreneurship. 

The University of Nairobi provides research through products development.

ICRAF promotes the application of best agricultural practices and protection of the environment through agro-forestry.

KEFRI provides information and technologies for sustainable development of natural resources.

KWS works together with the enterprise to enhance conservation and management of the Kakamega forest.