Hoodia propagation trials at the National Botanic Garden of

Namibia

By Silke Rügheimer

National Botanical Research Institute

Private Bag 13184

Windhoek, Namibia

Background• Project was initiated in June 2002

• Part of the Southern African Botanical Diversity Network’s Threatened Plants Programme

• Launched to support the role of Botanic Gardens in plant conservation

• U$ 3000 granted to each participating country after approval of project proposal by Steering committee

• Aim: to develop suitable propagation techniques to establish a viable ex situ population to relieve harvesting pressure on wild population

• Funding ended December 2003

• Funding for the next 3 years secured through the National Agricultural Support System Programme

What is Hoodia• Cactus-like stem succulent• Family Asclepiadaceae• Endemic to drier regions of

southern Africa• Namibia: widespread but

mainly in Western regions• 10 species in Namibia• Most common: H. gordonii

and H. currorii• Current conservation status:

low risk to vulnerable

Distribution of Hoodia in Southern Africa from Bruyns. 1993. Bot Jahrb. Syst. 115, 2: 177

Why Hoodia• Used by bushmen to overcome hunger and thirst on their

hunting expeditions• Huge potential as anti-obesity drug (est. market value of

U$ 2.6 billion annually) • Active ingredient isolated and patented by the CSIR

under P57• Patent right sold to Phytopharm (1997)• Lot of media coverage since then• Namibian farmers are starting to realize the potential of

Hoodia as an alternative income source

• Concerns to the impact of over-harvesting on wild populations

• Used by bushmen to overcome hunger and thirst on their hunting expeditions

• Huge potential as anti-obesity drug (est. market value of U$ 2.6 billion annually)

• Active ingredient isolated and patented by the CSIR under P57

• Patent right sold to Phytopharm (1997)• Lot of media coverage since then• Namibian farmers are starting to realize the potential of

Hoodia as an alternative income source

• Concerns to the impact of over-harvesting on wild populations

Activities• Literature survey (June 2002) to establish what is

known, specifically regarding propagation techniques• Setting up of propagation facilities (Aug/ Sept 2002)• Seed collecting trip (Nov 2002)• 4500 seedlings germinated• 2000 plantlets hardened off• Dissemination of information and outsourcing of

propagation• Marketing• Drafting legislations and policies regarding the

commmercialisation of Hoodia

Germination of seeds

Hardening off of seedlings

Results• Hoodia can potentially be propagated for

commercial purposes in Namibia• Best propagated from seeds (cuttings are difficult

to root)• Fairly fast growing under optimal conditions • Requirements: sandy, well drained medium;

high light intensity; regular watering

• Problems: fungus rot and wooly aphids

Issues which still need to be addressed

• Propagation requirements for other species • Acceptable organic pest control• How long does it take until seedlings have reached a

harvestable size • How much material can sustainably be harvested

from one plant• Growth and recovering rate of natural plants

compared to propagated plants• Quality of propagated plant material vs quality of

material from wild populations

The way foward

• Assist communal and commercial farmers to set up nurseries

• Training on propagation techniques

• Regulate sources for supplying material to people who want to start propagating

• Regulate marketing and sales (prices, locality, origin of material, export)

• Review legislations and policies to protect natural populations