CULTIVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ZIMBABWE: A STRATEGY FOR MEETING LOCAL TRADITIONAL MEDICINE NEEDS

Abstract

Zimbabwe is endowed with a wide variety of natural resources which include potent medicinal products. Medicinal plants are traded nationally and constitute a recognized source of local traditional medicine needs and income generating activity. A combination of participatory and formal research methods were used to collect data on the ease of cultivation, management, medicinal value and importance of Warburgia salutaris and Moringa oleifera, the two widely used medicinal plants in Zimbabwe. Local people were found to combine a variety of livelihood strategies guided by perceived cost-benefit relationships with the two species. A crucial transition has taken place in the country where destructive farming practices have been replaced by new and improved cultivation methods which raise Warburgia and Moringa without destroying natural systems on which agriculture ultimately depends. Preliminary economic analysis strongly shows that expanded Warburgia production, particularly in the context of small holder agriculture is clearly economically attractive and conducive to improving rural incomes and livelihoods [1]. Cultivation of Warburgia and Moringa by small- scale farmers in Zimbabwe appears to be a short-term way of providing medicinal material. Medium and long-term sustainable management of the two species should involve their cultivation as commercial crops. This would diversify farming operations, enhancing the income generation potential of the land, thus helping to provide jobs and alleviate poverty in Zimbabwe and creating new opportunities for local farmers, as both urban and rural populations in Zimbabwe are highly dependent on medicinal plants for their primary health care. [1] Veeman, T.: Muranga returns: the economics of producing a rare medicinal species reintroduced in south-eastern Zimbabwe. In: Campbell, B.M. and Luckert, M.K. (eds.). Uncovering the hidden harvest: valuation methods for woodland and forest resources. Earthscan, London, UK, 146-148 (2002).