Evaluation of PFID/NP, AEG-A-00-04-00012-00 
Partnerships in Food Industry Development/Natural Products 
May 8, 2009 
Jerry Brown, USDA/FAS 
James Freed, Washington State University 
Robert Hedlund, EGAT/AG 
Table of Contents
Cover Page 
Table of 
Contents……………………………………………………………………………..2 
Acronyms and Abbreviations……………………………………………………….3 
Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………4 
Suggestions For Future PFID/NP and ASNAPP Interventions……………………..7 
Responses to questions raised during presentation of the draft report…………....…8 
Responses to questions in the SOW………………………………………………..16 
Country programs…………………………………………………………………..28 
Zambia 
Senegal 
Ghana 
Rwanda 
South Africa 
Acknowledgments…………………………………………………………….……37 
Appendix 
 Guide to PFID/NP Natural Products 
2
Acronyms and Abbreviations
ALO, Association Liaison Office for University Cooperation in Development 
ARC, South African Agricultural Research Council 
ASNAPP, Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products 
BOTPAG, Botanical Products Association of Ghana 
CFA, Colonies françaises d'Afrique (local currency) 
EGAT, USAID Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade 
GAP, Good Agricultural Practices 
GACP, Good Agricultural and Collection Practices 
GDA, Global Development Alliance 
HED, Higher Education for Development 
IDC. Indirect Costs 
IITA, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture 
KNUST, Kwameh Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 
LAC, Latin American and the Caribbean Bureau of USAID 
LWA, Leader With Associates 
MQM, Making Quality Matter 
MS, Master of Science (University) degree 
NGO, Non-Governmental organizations 
NOP, National Organic Program 
NP or NPs, Natural Product(s) 
NTFP, Non-Timber Forest Products 
PC, Program Coordinator 
PFID/NP, Partnership for Food Industry Developments in Natural Products 
QA/QC, Quality Assurance and Quality Control 
SPEED, Support Program for Enterprise Empowerment and Development 
SME, Small and Medium Enterprises 
TIPCEE, Trade Investment Program for Competitive Export Economy 
USAID, United States Agency for International Development 
USDA, United States Department of Agriculture 
WHO, World Health Organization 
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Partnership for Food Industry Development/ Natural Products 
Evaluation 
Executive Summary 
The Partnership for Food Industry Development/Natural Products (PFID/NP) supports 
development of several African Natural Products (Appendix 1) and builds on its close 
working relationship with the NGO, Agribusiness in Sustainable Natural African Plant 
Products (ASNAPP), to eradicate hunger, poverty and malnutrition through economic 
growth in Africa. Operational in six countries (Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, South 
Africa and Zambia), PFID/NP brings science-based enterprise development to small and 
medium scale rural producer associations and enterprises (approximately 7368 in last five 
years). More than 65 percent of the beneficiaries are women. Noteworthy is the money 
earned by rural small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs)—over $28 million in trade 
generated from the sale of 4600 MTs of natural products from small scale farmers. Over 
50 percent of the transactions are repeat sales. Assistance to communities is designed to 
allow them to “graduate” from the project and operate independently while maintaining 
profits. Other highlights include: 
• PFID/NP has benefitted, on average, 7368 farmers in Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, 
Zambia and Malawi, with the large majority being women. Since 2004, PFID/NP 
programs have contributed to the introduction of new crops, the sustainable 
collection of indigenous African botanicals, and the development of new plant 
products that has lead to > $30 million ($US) in trade, with a production volume 
of 6300 metric tons. The program has benefited almost 700 agricultural related 
firms and producers’ associations, creating more than a hundred partnerships. In 
total, 28,000 farmers attended short term agricultural productivity trainings with 
around 500 workshops and trainings provided. 
• Since October 2004, the USAID office of Economic Growth and Trade has 
invested $2.36 million in the Rutgers University-led PFIDNP program. Rutgers 
University and the ASNAPP programs in Africa have leveraged an additional $4 
million to strengthen this international development program. 
• In the past, many herbal teas, spices and botanicals were collected or cultivated, 
and then sold. This practice resulted in high product variability, inconsistent 
quality, microbiological contamination, presence of non-plant debris, and 
adulterated products. PFID/NP introduced Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and 
Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP) specifically designed for 
natural products. 
• Voacanga has become the leading medicinal export product of the Ghanaian 
PFID/NP program, generating 2,000 tons, valued at $12 million and involving 
3,000 farmers and collectors. 
• Also in Ghana, in 2004, Griffonia and Voacanga, the source of drugs used to 
suppress anxiety and for memory enhancement respectively, had no standards and 
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was traded ad hoc on the international market valued at almost $3 million 
annually. In 2008, with direct intervention from PFID/NP and ASNAPP/Ghana, 
Griffonia and Voacanga now has well established standards and trade value of 
$20 million. 
• In Zambia PFID/NP and ASNAPP are helping local villages and private 
businesses access markets that are both sustainable and expanding for vegetables, 
flowers, herbs, spices and fruits. Zambia focus crops include paprika, birds eye 
chili (BEC), moringa and lemongrass with total sales, valued at $23,000 in 2004, 
soaring to over $$450,000 in 2008. Benefiting from Zambia’s abundant land and 
water, ASNAPP-Zambia employed aggressive community based and lead farmer 
business models to transfer 23 technologies and to work directly with over 1,253 
rural enterprises and 38 (predominantly women) producer associations since 
2004. 
• PFID/NP provides “Making Quality Matters” Workshops in Zambia and in the 
satellite office in Malawi and have given crop specific MQM workshops for the 
regional essential oils industry in East Africa (Rwanda) and southern Africa 
(South Africa); for the medicinal plants industry in Ghana; and participated with 
another USAID funded project in a national workshop in Senegal to strengthen 
the hibiscus industry. 
• A Southern African Paprika Association was formed to help develop the paprika 
industry. As the result of these activities, the team has been working with 650 
farmers. Since 2006 the production of paprika has reached the 300 metric tons 
level with a value of $400,000. 
• Recognizing the success of PFID/NP and ASNAPP, the government of Senegal 
now supplies 35 percent of the ASNAPP annual budget. ASNAPP was asked, and 
did, shape a new National Hibiscus Initiative. 
Recommendation: The evaluation team found that PFID/NP has been a well 
administered project that has made considerable progress towards its objectives and 
meeting the goals for which it was funded. There is considerable potential for more 
benefits by continuing and scaling up the activities for an additional 5 years. There are 
many examples of small and medium enterprises, initiated by PFID/NP, that have 
“graduated” and are successfully operating using the models developed under guidance 
from PFID/NP. A 5 year extension of the activity at an increased funding level 
($900,000 per year is suggested) would allow continuation and expansion of the 
public/private partnerships that have been established in the first 5 years. Continuation of 
the LWA will also allow for Mission associate awards for country specific activities. 
There was Mission interest, although no commitments, if they could be convinced that 
the benefits could be realized on a larger scale. 
Report: PFID/NP and ASNAPP are stalwarts in three primary areas: research and 
development, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) systems and market access. 
In addition, PFID/NP and ASNAPP partners contribute to producer associations’ 
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organizational development, logistics, financing/credit, government rural development 
services, product commercialization and producer association outreach. 
PFID/NP and ASNAPP’s greatest asset is the dedicated and skilled staff. Rutgers 
University leads the research agenda in the following areas: QA/QC, product 
development, chemical analysis and customer feedback trials. ASNAPP (in-country) staff 
adapts the science to the local production situation through establishing field trials and 
project implementation while simultaneously leading enterprise development, setting up 
market linkages and production monitoring and partnership development. 
PFID/NP and ASNAPP nurture strong African universities’ working relationships. For 
example, Rutgers University collaborates with Stellenbosch University (South Africa), 
University of Zambia, and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 
(KNUST) in Ghana, to adapt technologies to local production realities. University of 
Zambia manages paprika drought resistant trials and produces spores for mushroom 
production. KNUST holds short courses introducing natural products and how to set up 
natural product enterprises while also hosting moringa trials. 
The gender impact of this project has been significant. Nearly all of the SMEs in the 
communities have begun with women and women remain the majority of the 
beneficiaries of the interventions. 
Major findings from the evaluation team visits: 
1) Business Models: Three business models dominate moving technologies to 
natural product SMEs. They are: (1) lead producer demonstrates how to use a 
technology by setting up producer/enterprise association(s), from 10 to 65 people 
interested in supplying new markets; (2) enterprise/producer association requests 
technologies to satisfy market requirements; (3) community business model—
where land, equipment, technologies, profits (among others) are shared among a 
group of entrepreneurs for specific commodities and markets. 
2) For small and medium scale enterprises, a science-based enterprise development 
approach results in significant household and community level social and 
economic impact. 
3) Natural products commercialization minimizes risk inherent in staple crop 
monoculture production systems. 
4) Natural Products commercialization raises the bar for participating SMEs in the 
commodity value chain. SMEs learn how to: make multi-purpose partnerships; 
adapt new technologies; record production and market interventions; and seek 
financial services. All the aforementioned helps to move subsistence farmers and 
informal SMEs into the formal business sector. Natural products 
commercialization coerces SMEs to invest modestly in, at least, one or two links 
along the value chain where they function, earning even greater profit margins for 
SMEs. 
5) Cognizant of rising food prices over the last four years in Africa, ASNAPP 
introduced staple crops (e.g., maize, sorghum, millet, potato) in commercial, 
natural products cultivation systems to increase purchasing power among rural 
households. 
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6) Success in intercropping of staple crops opened the door to horticulture 
production and marketing opportunities. Horticulture sales to hotels, supermarkets 
and bed and breakfasts have increased from $68,000 in 2005 to $850,000 in the 
2008-2009 growing season among SME producers in South Africa, Malawi and 
Zambia. 
7) PFID/NP produced over 100 documents from 2004-2009. The new publications 
include natural product profiles, posters, product specification sheets, research 
papers, reviews, technical reports, training manuals, and new and improved 
product development in professional and natural products journals. 
Suggestions for Future PFID/NP and ASNAPP Interventions 
1. To reduce risk among small-scale producers in the production of natural products 
as well as to cushion the shock of fluctuating staple crops, PFID/NP and ASNAPP 
country programs will deepen and expand the base for key medicinal plants and 
spices combined with staple food crops to ensure food security while increasing 
income levels. ASNAPP/Senegal and Zambia have established intercropping and 
crop diversification systems between natural plants and staple crops (maize, 
millet, legumes, vegetables and cassava). 
2. Natural predators (monkey, elephants, goats) invade production areas 
significantly threatening the quality and quantity of crop yields and sustainable 
harvesting. Strategies will be developed to work closer with wildlife agents and 
local village elders to quarantine or ward off encroaching animals. 
3. To increase the number of jobs in rural areas and provide small-scale producers 
with greater profit and market share, PFID/NP and ASNAPP country programs 
will strategize to attract private sector investment in processing and value 
addition. 
4. Given the significant results from lead farmer businesses’ capacity to galvanize 
large numbers of collectors, farmers and rural producers to work together to 
supply large commodity contracts, PFID/NP and ASNAPP will further develop 
this business model thus bringing more informal enterprises into the formal 
business sector and creating thousands of jobs in rural African communities. 
5. PFID/NP partnerships with local African universities and research organizations 
enormously augment local institutional capacity for research and development of 
raw and processed natural plant products. Identification of active chemical 
ingredients, lath house management, improving tissue culture capacity, improving 
the quality of germplasm and the production systems, branding certification of 
quality assurance and quality control systems, establishing standards for 
community and individual plant nurseries as well as researcher and professor 
exchange opportunities are just a few of the science based interventions proposed. 
6. For the long term viability of PFID/NP and ASNAPP services, a sliding scale fee 
for services plan will be implemented. Many types will be tried to determine the 
most effective to include: check off system on quantity of goods sold, gradual 
percentage coverage against the total cost of the service or group or association 
purchase of goods and services. 
7. Commercial banks and rural financial institutions, for the most part, have not 
participated in providing financial services (bridge loans, credit, savings) products 
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to emerging natural products enterprises. PFID/NP through ASNAPP has 
depended on various ad hoc methods to obtain funding for new natural product 
enterprise start ups. These methods include government grants, buyer funding, 
partnering with NGOs and other enterprise development funded projects, etc. 
Informing and educating financial services institutions about the enormous and 
growing natural products market will be a primary role of ASNAPP and PFID/NP 
in future work. 
Several questions raised during the oral presentation of the draft report were posed 
to the implementers. Following are the questions and the responses. 
What would PFID/ASNAPP do differently (better?) if more funding was available 
from USAID? Please discuss two scenarios: 1. another 5 years at the previous level 
of core funding (i.e., 250,000 -300,000 per year) and, 2. Another 5 years at a core 
funding level of $ 500,000 to 900,000 per year. This will include a discussion of what 
possible new activities might be envisioned during the next 5 years. 
RESPONSE: With scenario 1 (continued funding at $250,000-$300,000); PFID/NP 
would likely be able to run the core program that continues to rely extensively on 
leveraged funding with a minimum core staff at Rutgers and one African coordinator 
located in overseas. The African coordinator would focus on market development and 
trade. This scenario would allow Rutgers and PFID/NP to continue to technically assist 
those dozens of micro-enterprises and the many companies overseas and in the US with 
whom we currently work and serve as an information nexus. This level of PFID/NP 
providing similar funding which we have received in the last few years could allow 
PFID/NP to interact with other USAID funded projects and programs, but not easily 
allow PFID/NP to work directly with many small and medium-sized farmers and African 
Women’s Associations unless we continue to be successful in capturing leveraged 
funding. The low level of continued funding makes it difficult to operate effectively in 
six countries, to attract additional USAID funding and leverage others. PFID/NP would 
continue to make significant contributions and show a successful return on USAID 
investment. However, the efforts required for the Rutgers faculty to develop leveraged 
funding would detract from time on actual development assistance, thus limiting the 
successes toward USAID strategic objectives. In the next five years, such funding would 
focus our work in two main ASNAPP countries, with limited assistance to the other 
(current) ASNAPP countries. Also there would be limits to the focus on market 
development and coordination, quality control and travel to core and new countries to 
provide technical assistance. Introduction of the market-first science based models of 
community development and trade which we have developed would also suffer. 
Scenario 2 (continued funding at $500,000-$900,000) would enable us to scale up to 
reach additional farmers and communities in each country where we now have successful 
commercial models. With increased funding, we would be able to address gaps in the 
natural plant product sector and increase the number of beneficiaries (farmers, the private 
sector, women) and even expand into additional countries when leveraged support is 
obtained. It would also allow us to expand and replicate the proven horticultural 
production and marketing partnership between the private sector and lead farmers/grower 
8
communities that has occurred in southern Africa. This has resulted in increased 
production and sale of high quality horticultural products to partner countries and 
programs (The Gambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi Mozambique, Angola). Expansion to 
other regions (e.g. southern India, LAC) would be possible where local support is 
provided. PFID/NP could serve as an information hub on the sustainable development 
and commercialization of natural products and the marketing and requisite science 
needed that would enhance trade and sustainability. PFID/NP would also then be in a 
position to strategically provide expertise and technical assistance to other USAID 
projects. 
Relative to our current programs, with the higher funding level we would: 
In Ghana: 
• Significantly deepen our market development initiatives in spices by 
seeking partnerships to support commercial production by growers and 
working with major importers towards fulfilling the over >1000MT 
market orders for various spices valued at over $3 million ($US)/year, and 
in doing so bring into the program hundreds of additional small-scale 
growers. The higher funding level would enable us to put into place the 
support programs needed to strengthen the supply chain and ensure high 
quality. We already have buyers lined up and markets waiting for our 
willingness to participate. 
• Train an additional >1,000 African women in the collection and handling 
of shea and continue support to the private sector processing partner on the 
processing of shea into cosmetic products. This would lead to over 1,000 
MT/year of shea butter with a trade value of over $5 million (US)/year. 
• Provide increased support to cultivate the leading medicinal plants that are 
currently only wild harvested. This would ensure compliance with quality 
specifications and establish Ghana as a leading supplier of high quality 
plant products, tapping into the growing medicinal exports markets 
currently estimated at over $20M per annum.
In Senegal: 
The hibiscus project has been a successor to ground nuts engaging women 
as lead farmers and, thus, recipients of income. Increased funding would 
allow focus on: (A) increasing by 50% the number of beneficiaries 
(women) to about 6,000-7,000; (B) increasing the yields and production of 
hibiscus as the next step to increase profitability at the farm and 
community levels; (C) further examination of the use hibiscus as a 
rotational or additional crop within food security schemes; (D) developing 
the value-added opportunities such as herbal teas, hibiscus powder for the 
food/beverage industry, kinkeliba tea, bio-pesticides and honey, to 
diversify the production base. In short, we would seek to double our 
agriculture yields under organic and non-organic production systems, 
increase the relative amount of value-added processing of hibiscus into 
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final products sold locally, and nationally, and continue to increase the 
export of this product. The increased programmatic activities would lead 
to a doubling of farmers we have been able to impact and doubling the 
income and trade generated already by each commodity. 
In Southern Africa (South Africa and Zambia): 
Expand the horticultural initiative from Zambia and Malawi to additional 
regions in Malawi, Angola and Mozambique. Potential to include 
Seychelles will be explored as the private sector in that country has 
indicated its interest to work with ASNAPP. 
In Zambia: 
Increased funding would be used to address the following gaps: (A) Low 
volumes – the demand for spices (paprika and birds eye chilies) are 
woefully under supplied in southern Africa. Only 45% of the daily 
potential (10,000M) of a paprika processing plant in Lusaka is met by 
suppliers. 20% of the demand for chilies in Southern Africa, (5,000Mt 
worth $10M) is being produced. ASNAPP has been successful in 
commercializing these crops but there is more market demand. Given 
additional funds, ASNAPP would assist more farmers in the Chinyanja 
Triangle (Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique) to cultivate more spices. (B) 
A quick scan of some nearby countries to Zambia (Malawi and 
Mozambique) revealed serious quality gaps in the value chain from seed 
to market, in the spice industry. These gaps would be addressed to ensure 
production of quality produce. ASNAPP will partner with sister NGOs 
and other stakeholders in these countries to build capacities to address 
these concerns and also replicate some of ASNAPP’s successful models in 
those countries. Previously there were five spice processing facilities in 
southern Africa, now there are three, each having difficulty in fulfilling 
their internal supply needs relative to market demand. Low volumes and 
quality gaps are among two of the major constraints that will be addressed. 
Expansion of the moringa enterprises to reach five new communities and 
regions of Zambia would be pursued. 
In Rwanda: 
Higher core funding would help Rwanda to diversify into additional 
essential oils and natural products like herbal teas and medicinals while 
still focuses on the expansion and strengthening of the geranium oil 
production. Phase 1 established the industrial base, brought on-line the 
processing facilities, and established the initial acreage. With these 
aromatic plants the yields increase over time (years) and the profits are in 
amortizing the investment of the processing facilities (the steam 
distillation units) by introducing additional aromatic plants to distill year 
round. It is in Phase 2 where the profits of the enterprise could be captured 
and strengthened. Thus, the next stage would enable us to reach more 
agro-processors in natural products and improve their quality; more 
10
farmers would be engaged and trained and a greater number of 
communities more fully integrated into ANSAPP and essential oil and 
natural product production. These crops would all, as they do in each 
country fit into and complement the needs for each family and community 
to maintain and grow staple food crops as well. More work in moringa 
would be conducted. 
In South Africa: 
To graduate two additional herbal tea communities and introduce new 
communities in the Western Cape to herbal teas and botanicals. 
Cross-Country: A regional Approach: 
ASNAPP’s market- first model has been successful as it ensures consistent 
market for farmers. Greater efforts will be channeled towards market 
development initiatives to ensure that farmers are apprised of current 
market trends to enable them to produce in accordance to buyer 
specifications. At Rutgers we would maintain and strengthen the needed 
science-based and Quality Control approaches which have been so 
successful. Rutgers would provide a strong market and trade focus by 
bringing in additional staff with specialized expertise in markets and trade. 
Scenario 2 would allow us to strengthen capacity throughout the supply 
chain, particularly by reinforcing the knowledge base in quality control 
and assurance, applied research and development, commercial production 
of NTFPs, marketing and business development skills. 
In sub-Saharan Africa, during an additional five years, PFID/NP and 
ASNAPP would continue facilitating the commercialization of natural 
products and develop strong programs of sustainability both at the NGO 
and grower/processor levels. We expect that PFID/NP and ASNAPP with 
increased funding level at ~$500,000-$900,000, would continue to 
significantly reach and benefit more than 10,000 farmers and assist in the 
generation of trade of, at least, $10 million per year (10-20 times the 
funding base). 
This increased level of funding and the consequent impact on trade, would 
allow farmers to have access to food by helping to provide adequate 
incomes. Food access has been identified as one of the three distinct 
variables central to the attainment of food security. In addition, the staffs 
of PFID/NP and ASNAPP have been committed to assist these same 
farmers and communities in horticultural production and food crop 
production though outside their mandate. Natural products complement 
the need for small family farms and communities to raise some of their 
own food. The techniques and training provided and the healthy 
nutritional crops introduced by PFID/NP from moringa to food crops, 
have provided tremendous value beyond the markets and trade 
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emphasized and aligns itself well within the larger USAID strategic 
initiatives. 
What is "special" or unique that gives ASNAPP and PFID/NP a competitive 
advantage. Why should USAID support this vs. another intervention? 
RESPONSE: The uniqueness of PFID/NP and ASNAPP is in the market-first, science￾based approach benefitting rural communities (mostly women) and the private sector in 
sub-Saharan Africa. PFID/NP is a unique, university-led, international development 
program with a capacity building and technology based approach. This program has been 
successful in leading to real trade, real impact and the formation and income generation 
for African small farmers, particularly African women. It merges the components from 
universities (Rutgers and African Universities, e.g. Stellenbosch, KNUST) such as 
applied research and development, teaching and trainings and services activities with the 
marketing and business skills from the country programs and private sector. This 
program is responsive to the marketplace, develops its research to support market and 
trade needs, and is truly a holistic program. It implements a commodity chain approach 
while purposefully exhibiting the flexibility to adapt to the myriad of local and country 
conditions. The market and trade expertise, the science and quality-control expertise, and 
the ability to work with other governmental, NGO and developmental organizations have 
allowed us to provide a unique blend of technical expertise and skills needed to go 
literally from seed or bush to final product. From the introduction of a totally new crop 
or the viable commercial production of a horticultural crop, PFID/NP and ASNAPP take 
a pragmatic approach and rely extensively on partnerships, particularly those in the 
private sector. PFID/NP involves local and national scientists, strong relationships with 
national governments, and a participatory approach. When speaking to the women in the 
community, the processor, the buyer, agent, dealer and government officials, this 
approach has lead to the building of a strong trust and confidence level with the 
communities and public/private sector partners with whom PFID/NP works and with the 
government officials with whom PFID/NP and ASNAPP work. 
What is ASNAPP's vision for itself when USAID funding is no longer provided? 
Will it eventually be independent of donor funding? How would that be 
accomplished? 
RESPONSE: ASNAPP is keenly aware USAID support is not unlimited. ASNAPP as a 
network and consortium including Rutgers and other of the key universities (e.g. 
Stellenbosch University in South Africa and KNUST, Ghana) have met several times to 
develop a vision for the future including developing a strategic plan of action for 
economic sustainability and programmatic expansion. ASNAPP has, over the past three 
years, been very effective in leveraging additional funding through country or regional 
missions of the USAID as well as non-USAID sources of funding, such as international 
funding agencies, national and provincial governments and private sector contracts. 
Given the unique expertise and services ASNAPP provides, the organization is putting in 
place mechanisms to allow it to charge a fee for certain services, particularly from the 
private sector in the areas of product mobilization and exports, quality control and 
12
assurance and applied research. The plan is to use the next five years to consolidate and 
streamline our interventions and services to provide targeted responses to the private 
sector. These services will be offered at a fee that will contribute to the long-term 
sustainability and survival of ASNAPP. Also, ASNAPP intends to establish a private￾sector arm that will be profit making and part of the proceeds from its commercial 
activities will be used to support the ASNAPP NGO in its respective countries of 
operation. 
Will ASNAPP and Africa eventually (e.g., after 5 more years) be able to function 
without Rutgers' support for QC/QA and research? 
RESPONSE: That is our intent. At the end of the first PFID/NP period (2004-09), 
Rutgers started to work with country programs, private sector and public institutions to 
enable the country programs and our partners to conduct research and development 
activities in the areas of QC/QA. Rutgers has spent considerable time in first developing 
the protocols needed and the approaches that meet industry needs; Rutgers then sought to 
develop the expertise and interest for in-country local scientists to take the lead in the 
QC/QA needs of the country or regional programs. Over these first five years, we have 
made some successes in this area. For example, there is now a modest natural products 
QC lab in Senegal outfitted by Rutgers through PFID/NP to assess the quality of hibiscus 
and kinkeliba. ASNAPP-Senegal and research staff at the University Cheikh Anta Diop 
of Dakar now routinely use this laboratory. Partnerships with in-country labs including 
University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar and the Pasteur Institute conduct all 
microbiological testing of ASNAPP products for food safety and microbiological 
contamination. In Rwanda, Ikirezi Natural Products, Kigali, has a modest lab to conduct 
sensory evaluation and physicochemical characters of essential oils. In Ghana, we are 
beginning to work with a private company that has been investing in an ISO compliant 
shea butter processing facility with Rutgers providing the expertise for them to develop 
their own internal QC/QA lab. Over the last 5 years we have been developing close 
working relationships with faculty members, in both Agriculture and Pharmacy at the 
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and these groups 
have begun to address a number of QC/QA issues. In the next five years we hope that 
KNUST as well as the University of Ghana will have QC/QA labs that can cover much of 
the Ghana medicinal plants needs. In these first five years we began to work with 
University of Zambia and regional research institutes in Zambia and Malawi for them to 
begin to conduct QC/QA lab work and support for the paprika and African Birds Eye 
Chili but funding has limited the implementation of these labs to reorient their work to 
really include QC/QC focus. We anticipate that over the next five years, each ASNAPP 
partnering country will have active in-country QA/QC lab which would expedite the 
response time between growers and communities with processors in country, be used to 
further develop internal national capacity and expertise, enhance trade and rectify QA/QC 
concerns. Rutgers will, over the next five years, provide assistance to randomly validate 
in-country lab results and focus attention on national and international grades and 
standards. In-country labs will focus on food safety, product definitions and QC/QA 
issues from production through processing. Rutgers and ASNAPP have, over the last 
several years, developed the program, “Making Quality Matter” in sub-Sahara Africa that 
13
has been given to public and private sector partners and the commercial industry in 
several countries (Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia). These workshops 
will continue though we hope that additional African scientists will begin to give more 
and more of the training. With increased funding for the next five years, all the countries 
programs should be able (in partnership with private and public sector) to conduct similar 
research and development activities to facilitate market access to their products. 
Over the past 5 years, Rutgers has worked with institutions across Africa to build their 
capacity and that is something we are very committed to accomplishing. ASNAPP also 
intends to attract and encourage more private sector participation in this area so as to 
provide more sustainable funding and also ensure the continued relevance of research and 
quality systems developed. ASNAPP’s current partnership with Stellenbosch University 
will also be strengthened to expand QA/QC. 
Are beneficiaries (communities) made aware of the possibility that their competitive 
advantage in natural products production and marketing will eventually disappear? 
I.e., What if other counties begin production or the market becomes saturated or 
climate change affects production, etc? 
RESPONSE: Yes. PFID/NP and ANSAPP work hard not to increase unrealistic 
expectations and to be responsive to the needs and trends of the marketplace. In this way, 
our strategic plans tend to employ processes in which communities can take part in some 
aspect of the processing of a natural product. They are provided with strong training in 
agri-business aspects so that from the outset the growers and communities come to see 
natural products as a vehicle for income generation, for employment, for change and for 
crop diversification. The skills and training provided to grower associations prepare 
them for participation in the formal marketplaces and provide life and agricultural skills 
that can be used in the future to grow other food and income generating crops. These 
include basics on crop production, quality, careful attention to final product cleanliness, 
understanding of the marketplace, and empowers them to make their own decisions and 
to function independently. This development and foray into agri-business provides these 
women, and all growers, confidence and ability to consider and select future crops that 
could be profitable and/or needed for their own food security. 
PFID/NP assisted communities are keenly aware of what has happened to the traditional 
crops that have long been exported from the continent. Natural products have been seen 
as a means to help diversify risk and reduce exposure to fluctuations in the traditional 
cash crop marketplace. However, the risks remain as long as natural plant products 
(NPPs) are promoted simply as raw material exports. Enterprise development 
discussions with communities have thus concentrated on developing models that ensures 
year-round income through mixed cropping. Additionally, communities are encouraged 
to plough back part of the benefits accrued from NPP activities to invest in other income 
generating activities. At a broader level, emphasis is placed on enhancing productivity 
and in-country processing and value addition to improve competitiveness. Thus, we 
envision the competitive advantage will be derived from processing of natural products 
and not simply be a source of low cost raw materials. 
14
Communities are aware that unforeseen circumstances may ultimately change the market 
dynamics in natural plant products from Africa. ASNAPP has therefore not limited 
service delivery toward the few core selected natural products with which PFID/NP was 
started. There is diversification including specialty vegetables, small fruits, berries and 
mushrooms. These are niche markets which are generating substantial income to support 
farmers in Southern Africa and other regions. 
Are there any thoughts about expanding PFID/NP beyond Africa? 
RESPONSE: Yes. During the first PFID/NP period (2004-2009), we wanted to focus on 
strengthening our core programs and ensure deliver on each of the objectives. We do 
want to introduce the models we developed into countries outside Africa as well as 
expand the number of countries in sub-Sahara Africa where we now operate. We have 
explored the possibility of expanding the program to other countries (Jordan, Egypt, 
Brazil, Morocco, and Syria). However, due to a variety of reasons, mostly the lack of 
funding from the regional offices or the private sector, this opportunity has not yet been 
realized. With increased funding, and the help of USAID/EGAT, we would welcome 
expanding beyond Africa in the second round of 5-year funding. 
Further expansion of ASNAPP in sub-Saharan Africa via PFID/NP would seem quite 
likely as those familiar with our program want us to initiate programs in their countries. 
This would include expanding our programs to include more African countries, and fully 
turn the satellite, ad-hoc programs in Malawi, Angola and Mozambique into fully￾functional ASNAPP Programs (with Boards of Directors). There are calls from the 
private sector in Seychelles for ASNAPP’s assistance to develop the horticultural and 
specialty vegetable industry in that country. In addition, we have been asked to come 
into Lesotho, Kenya and Swaziland. 
To what extent are "buy-ins" and leveraged funding necessary for ASNAPP to 
continue operations and/or to scale-up? What are the requirements/expectations for 
Associate Awards from USAID Missions? What can USAID/Washington do to help 
Rutgers "market" the project? 
The current and new “Buy-ins” and leverage funding have been required for our strong 
in-country programs and for any scale-up. In the absence of any leveraged funding our 
in-country programs would be reduced. Yet, even after local and regional missions know 
about our programs, it has been difficult to procure such “Buy-ins” as an Associate 
Award. One of the limiting factors expressed to us was that most regional and in-country 
offices were not at all familiar with the LWA mechanism. They are not aware of it as 
they plan out the number and nature of their procurements. Or, when they learn about 
PFID/NP and how to prepare an “Associate Award” they simply find it easier to add 
funds onto current contracts that they currently manage. Therefore, one of the ways 
USAID/Washington can help Rutgers market the PFID/NP project is to develop a 
proactive educational outreach program to regional and in-country missions. 
USAID/Washington did that with the GDA mechanism and perhaps the PFID, LWA 
mechanism can be fully integrated into the training and education presentations promoted 
15
by GDA. USAID missions want to ensure that PFID’s align themselves with their own 
strategic goals and expectations (now with an emphasis on food security) and that PFID 
can handle large programs and additional resources. To the extent appropriate resources 
are made available to PFID/NP this program can be highly synergistic to other Mission 
and regional programs and may excel in its ability to provide technical assistance, 
development markets, introduce improved germplasm, and lead to increased trade 
locally, regionally and internationally without the creation of another bureaucratic 
institution. In short, the PFID mechanism facilitates a streamlined, highly efficient, in￾country and regional program that can easily be applied in different countries to support 
and extend the strategic objectives of the regional and Mission offices. PFID/NP can 
bring into the consortium any needed partnerships to accomplish the objectives while 
local and regional US staff provide technical and fiscal oversight. 
In Ghana the “Buy-ins and leveraged funding” have proved invaluable and will continue 
to be critical if ASNAPP is to be able to provide the full range of interventions necessary 
to fully develop the natural plant products industry. PFID funds have largely covered 
core staff and administrative costs and some limited program activities, but it has also 
provided the requisite leveraging that has enabled us to attract substantial funding to 
support program activities. Associate Awards will be immensely helpful in providing 
sufficient cushioning that will allow long–term, proactive planning and implementation. 
In Southern Africa (Malawi, South Africa and Zambia) “Buy-ins and leveraged funding” 
will continue to be critical for ASNAPP to provide and expand its services to emerging 
entrepreneurs in the industry. 
In the potential five year renewal (2009-2014), Rutgers and each of the ASNAPP 
programs are expecting to need continued leveraged funding (including USAID country 
programs and non-USAID sources). The higher funding level would enable a significant 
greater impact from Year 1, increasing the total number of farmers and women farmers 
trained in the commercialization of natural products and significant expansion of markets 
and trade. 
EVALUATION TEAM RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS IN THE SOW 
1. Has the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership made substantial progress in 
meeting the main objectives of the PFID/NP program as stated in the award 
and subsequent work plans? 
a. Yes the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership has made substantial progress 
on all of the objectives identified in the PFID/NP program as stated in the 
award and subsequent work plan. See executive summary and country 
reports. 
b. The willingness of community partners, program partners, financial 
partners and USAID officials to provide letters of support for the great 
efforts of the ASNAPP team in accomplishing the objectives of the 
PFID/NP projects was a great sign of support for their past, present and 
future program efforts. 
16
A PFID/NP Objective was to Increase the number of natural plant product 
producers/farmers 
In 2004, the PFIDNP program involved 4513 farmers to produce 80 metric tons (valued over $7 
million of botanical products (Figure 1). In year 5, PFIDNP is having and impact on 8000 farmers 
and they are producing 2700 metric tons of plant derived products valued over $15 million. 
Figure 1. Number of farmers (blue bars) volume (red bars) and value (green bars) for the five 
PFID/NP years (the first, 2004/05 through the fifth year, 2008/09). Source: ASNAPP country data 
collected and aggregated by ASNAPP staff. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to Develop (new) products for domestic and international 
markets 
In 2004, PFID/NP program started working with 13 natural products as raw botanicals (Table 1). 
For the years 2 through 5, PFIDNP has been working on average with 17 different products 
(Table 1). 
Many of these new botanical raw materials were commercialized for international markets. For 
Ghana these products include, Kombo, African Birds Eye Chili (BEC), Grains of Paradise and 
shea butter. Lippia and seeds of the allanblackia plant were produced in minor amounts. 
In Zambia, the new products introduced with high economic return for both local and 
international markets include paprika and birds eye chili, though in Zambia other new products 
have been offered to the local or international markets. These products include Fadogia tea, 
Mungongo oil (also called manketi), and lemongrass. 
17
Table 1. Natural products produced by PFID/NP countries through years one to five. 
Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5 
Ghana GOP1 Lippia Lippia Lippia Lippia 
Lippia GOP GOP GOP GOP 
Voacanga Xylopia Xylopia Xylopia Xylopia 
Griffonia Voacanga Voacanga Voacanga Voacanga 
Culinary herbs Allanblackia Kombo Kombo Mondia 
Kombo Griffonia Griffonia Kombo 
Griffonia Mondia Griffonia 
Shea Shea Shea 
BEC1 BEC 
Rwanda Geranium Geranium Geranium Geranium Geranium 
Senegal Hibiscus Hibiscus Hibiscus Hibiscus Hibiscus 
Kinkeliba Kinkeliba Kinkeliba Kinkeliba Kinkeliba 
Neem/Jathropha 
oil 
Neem/Jathrop
ha oil 
Zambia Lemongrass Lemongrass Lemongrass Lemongras
s 
Lemongrass 
Mungongo Mungongo Mungongo Moringa Moringa 
Geranium Geranium Paprika Paprika 
Moringa Moringa BEC BEC 
Fadogia Fadogia 
Paprika Paprika 
BEC BEC 
South 
Africa 
Honeybush Honeybush Honeybush Honeybush Honeybush 
Rooibos Rooibos Rooibos Rooibos Rooibos 
Total 13 Total 20 Total 17 Total 16 Total 17 
1. GOP grains of paradise, BEC birds eye chili. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to diversify the economy through new/improved natural plant 
products 
The diversification of the local economies came mostly from the increased production of the 
different botanicals. In Senegal the increased production, especially in dried organic certified 
quality hibiscus, have contributed to significant increases in farm gate prices (as much as 40 
percent in 2008) and ultimately, farmers’ income. 
In Ghana, the increased volume and value of production of Griffonia and Voacanga has also 
helped to diversify the local economies. Voacanga and Griffonia have been produced in close 
partnership with the Botanical Products Association of Ghana, the Ghanaian government and the 
private sector to develop trade standards. 
The number of Agricultural firms and organizations that have benefited from PFID/NP 
interventions, training, counsel and technical assistance were 33 in year 1, 113 in year 2, 140 in 
year 3, 206 in year 4, and 204 in year 5. 
18
In Ghana, in the second year, PFID/NP began organizing two producer associations for collecting 
Kombo nuts for processing the Kombo butter. The production was sold to the private partner, 
BRI who then further processed the product and exported it to the USA. In the last two years, 
PFID/NP in Ghana is producing high volumes (8 containers) of African Birds Eye Chili for 
private partner companies in South Africa. Ghana has also been producing small quantities (<1 
ton) of Lippia tea for the local markets but also for the Mpuntu line of African teas. The Ghanaian 
office has also been involved in the commercialization of small quantities of Grains of Paradise 
seeds of Allanblackia. 
The Zambian program has focused mostly on the production and large-scale commercialization of 
paprika (2 containers) and African Birds Eye Chili (3 containers) by many small farmers. These 
are two major natural products for the spice industry and for local and international markets. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to increase the number of people employed in the natural 
product sector 
Since 2004, the number of farmers involved in the collection and production of natural products 
has gone from 4,513 (Y1), 5,616 (Y2); 9,186 (Y3); 9,476 (Y4) and 8,050 (Y5). In 5 years the 
project has nearly doubled the number of people employed in this sector (Fig. 2). 
Ghana Senegal 
Rwanda Zambia 
Figure 2. Number of farmers in Ghana (upper left), Senegal (upper right), Rwanda (lower left) 
and Senegal (lower right). 
19
A PFID/NP Objective was to increase and diversify family/farmers/production income 
The diversification of the production, as well as the volume and value of the production, has 
contributed to farm employment in PFID/NP countries, increasing both the number of farmers 
and their family income. This impact on the production and commercialization has been 
particularly significant in Ghana with the production of forest botanicals (Griffonia, Voacanga 
and Kombo). The production of botanical products in Ghana has increased from 47 tons in 2004 
to more than 2000 tons in 2009, benefiting 1200 farmers. In Zambia, the production of paprika 
and birds eye chilies has been significant. For example in year 4, Zambia produced 220 metric 
tons of paprika and birds eye chilly valued at $375,000. Moringa, the new and indigenous tea 
Fadogia, and lemongrass have also contributed to both diversification and farmer income. In 
2007, the private partner, Kalahari Natural Oils, produced 30 tons of Mungongo nuts, a non￾timber forest product, for the extraction of plant oils for the local cosmetic industry. 
ASNAPP/Zambia and this private partner have also leveraged funding of approximately $40,000 
to conduct training on sustainable harvesting practices and organic forest certification. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to increase the number of sustainable natural plant products 
producers/companies 
The model of development implemented by the PFIDNP program through sound science, 
technologies made available and training in the client countries has contributed to the generation 
of sustainable natural plant products. The training of farmers in good agricultural and collection 
practices, as well as organic and fair trade certification, has contributed to environmental 
sustainability incorporating socially sound practices. PFID/NP has significantly increased the 
numbers of those producers and companies. That is, PFID/NP has impacted on average 7368 
farmers in Ghana, Rwanda, Senegal, and Zambia and Malawi, with the large majority being 
women. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to increase the number of science-based natural plant 
products 
The PFIDNP model of commercialization is “science-based natural products enterprise 
development.” The production of hibiscus in Senegal is a clear example. The use of science to 
assess the quality of hibiscus calyces permitted monitoring the quality of hibiscus during 
production and processing. After training in simple technologies Senegalese, women farmers, 
were able to produce high quality calyces, obtaining twice as much profit as compared with the 
conventional hibiscus. This is an example of value addition through improved quality. 
In Ghana, the transfer of technologies to farmers through training on “do’s and don’ts” while 
processing forest products, also helped to increase the volume and value of production. 
Harvested wild Kombo nuts in Ghana were processed locally to achieve a value-added product, 
Kombo butter, at the community level. It was further processed and exported to the USA where it 
was converted into the richest plant source of the unusual fatty acid cetyl myristoleate (CMO) 
which is now on the market as a dietary supplement. African nutmeg (Kombo) is, at present, the 
only plant source of this unusual fatty acid used to reduce pain, stiffness in joints, and as a general 
anti-inflammatory agent. 
Since 2004, PFID/NP has doubled the number of plants and natural products with which it works 
and which has lead to commercial trade opportunities. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to increase the use of science-guided marketing of natural plant 
products 
20
In the past, many herbal teas, spices and botanicals were collected or cultivated and then 
sold. This practice resulted in high product variability, inconsistency in quality, microbiological 
contamination, presence of non-plant debris, and adulterated products. PFID/NP introduced Good 
Agricultural Practices (GAP) for all field crops (i.e. rooibos, honeybush) and interventions 
specifically designed for all crops have been developed, though in reality not always 
implemented. All crops and products have been studied and product specification sheets prepared 
that define the product and ensure quality standards are met. In cases where no standards exist, 
PFID/NP has been developing such standards so that the collectors, processors, buyers, 
dealers/traders and regional and international buyers will understand the products and their 
quality attributes, thus providing a science-based approach with QC checking and assessments. 
The incorporation of local scientists and industries in a partnership with growers so that 
expectations are known in advance has established credibility between growers and buyers and is 
generating interest from new buyers. The science-led aspects of this program have been of great 
significance. All these activities have contributed to increase the market access and in some cases 
increase the value of the products. PFID/NP conducted research on all the crops and plant 
products with which it works. They have conducted and written an extensive array of technical 
reports which are then transferred and shared with African partners. PFID/NP has prepared 
scientific presentations to transfer information to others, and has published an extensive number 
of scientific papers on these crops and plant products which generate market interest and provide 
information to private sector partners. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to establish or improve natural plant products regulation system 
(Comprehensive QA/QC, safety and health, sanitation and GMP). 
ASNAPP has been involved with developing the Good Agricultural and Collection Practices
(GACP) guide for medicinal plants (to PFID/NP) and has under this PFID/NP tried to implement 
these same recommended practices. In short PFID/NP has developed and continues to develop 
comprehensive QA/QC systems, and are primarily concerned with food safety (freedom from 
microbiological contamination) and sanitation. There are excellent examples: in Ghana with 
Griffonia and Voacanga; in Senegal with Hibiscus and Kinkeliba; in Rwanda with geranium oil; 
in South Africa with the herbal teas and in Zambia with paprika where collaboration with the 
government established the grades and standards of these products. PFID/NP has also begun to 
work on Good Management Practices (GMP) aspects. 
2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Rutgers-led PFID/NP 
partnership with respect to the overall PFID/NP objectives? Where 
successful, what factors contributed to the success? The team must fairly 
consider necessary changes to the plan caused by differences between 
planned and actual funding levels. 
a. Strength: strong research team to answer questions on the 
chemical/elemental make up of the various plants that constitute the 
Natural Plant communities in each of the countries where PFID/NP 
projects are implemented. 
b. Strength: A dynamic leadership team led by Jim Simon that provides 
organizational leadership for the team and directs the continuous 
evaluations of the program efforts to keep them grounded in the goals and 
objectives to the project. 
c. Strength: Commitment from Rutgers to make the projects successful even 
when the funds were cut. They assisted the ASNAPP team to leverage 
funds to continue projects or to expand projects. 
21
d. Strength: Rutgers has a historically strong program in horticulture 
research, teaching and outreach that was used to strengthen ASNAPP and 
the teams of local people, communities, associations, cooperatives, private 
companies, NGO’s and governments to obtain the best possible economic 
and community changes. 
e. Strength: The ASNAPP Africa implementing partners and their respective 
organizations and teams have been key champions working synergistically 
with Rutgers and in ensuring project success even when funds were 
reduced. 
f. Weakness: Loss of funds that were committed to this project by USAID. 
Rutgers was not in a position to replace these funds or have them 
reinstated by USAID. 
g. Weakness: There was no way for Rutgers to contract with someone to 
provide additional staff and community training on all phases of marketing 
in all countries. This lack of expertise in the field hampered some of the 
marketing efforts. 
h. Factors contributing to the success of the team were: 
i. Strong commitment by Rutgers to make the project a success 
ii. The development of a strong team that reached from the village in 
each country to the leadership of the PFID/NP effort. 
iii. The development of an interactive model that enabled changes in 
the project as based on the needs of those presenting the programs 
and those receiving the programs. This model made the 
technology transfer to occur seamlessly and with greater long term 
impact than if it has only been a traditional top down program. 
iv. Strong commitment by the communities involved in the programs. 
They are very committed to insuring that the changes made in the 
first 5 years will be strengthened in the next five years. In fact 
they are so committed to this institutionalization of the changes in 
their communities that in the future they will change the way they 
work with Rutgers, ANSAPP and other NGO’s to insure that they 
are in partnership relationships that benefit them and not in the 
recipient position always asking for the same help each year with 
no hope of change. 
v. The programs established a method of training that gives all the 
participants the skills necessary to become independent at some 
immediate future time. This enables the communities to become 
full partners in the continuous development of the Natural Products 
marketing chains. It also develops local experts that can provide 
training and support for additional development projects in their 
communities. 
vi. The program did not just focus on the production level of needs. 
They also gave programs on the management sole proprietor 
business, cooperative organizational management, value added 
marketing, post harvest care, people/labor management, time 
management, crop rotation, intercropping, pricing, packaging, 
22
labeling, basic crop development techniques, rules and standards 
development and working with officials and agencies to obtain 
needed assistance. 
3. Has the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership made substantial progress in 
meeting the objectives of the program activities outlined in their PFID/NP 
leader cooperative agreement with USAID? 
a. Yes the evaluation team found that the Rutgers-let PFID/NP partnership 
has made substantial progress on all of the objectives identified in the 
PFID/NP program as stated in the award and subsequent work plan. 
b. Observations and answers to evaluation team questions by community 
participants, country public officials, trade associations leaders, USAID 
mission and project leaders, business owners, other universities in 
Southern Africa and program partners validates the information in the 
reports from PFID/NP and ASNAPP. 
c. The willingness of community partners, program partners, financial 
partners and USAID officials to provide letters of support for the great 
efforts of the ASNAPP team in accomplishing the objectives of the 
PFID/NP projects was a great sign of support for their past, present and 
future program efforts. 
A PFID/NP Objective was to align PFID/NP and the strategic objectives 
of the USAID country missions 
The activities of the PFID/NP program are aligned with USAID strategic objectives in 
each of the countries where the program is operating. This was verbally confirmed by USAID 
representatives in the three countries visited by the evaluation team. 
USAID Ghana strategic objectives 
In Ghana, PFID/NP is contributing to the USAID/Ghana Strategy Statement “Empowering 
Ghanaians through Partnerships to Build a Prosperous Nation”. 
The PFID/NP program in Ghana is partnering with public and private organizations to leverage 
funds to support the commercialization of plant products through research, field testing, 
transferring of technologies, and an intensive program of capacity building for farmers and 
private sector companies. 
Promote Private Sector Competitiveness (Economic Growth Strategic Objective) 2006-2010 
In Ghana, the PFIDNP program is specifically addressing this strategic objective, by providing 
training and world class science in partnership with the BOTPAG and the Ghanaian Standard 
Board, to increase the competitiveness of the private sector by producing high quality products 
and developing trade standards. The trainings in production and processing of natural plant 
products have been key to increasing value and market access. The increment of competitiveness 
has been reflected by increased production and value. 
Expanding Export Opportunities 
One of the milestones of the Ghanaian program has been the re-launching of BOTPAG to 
revitalize the natural product industry in Ghana. This is having an impact on the export industry 
23
for natural plants products. For this year, Voacanga has been the leading export product of the 
PFID/NP program, generating 2,000 tons, valued at $12 million and involving 3,000 farmers. 
Voacanga seeds are exported to international companies to extract alkaloids for the production of 
pharmaceutical drugs and supplements. 
For USAID, the establishment of strategic partnerships between Ghanaian businesses and buyers 
in the U.S., European Union and other countries is a core component of the Economic Growth 
Strategic Objective. Thus, PFID/NP is partnering with the New Jersey based company, 
BioResources International, to produce Kombo butter for the international markets. For this year 
the production of Kombo nuts and Kombo butter has benefitted more than 100 farmers and 
collectors. 
USAID/Ghana’s strategy is focused on empowering individuals, communities, local and national 
government institutions and non-governmental organizations to attain Ghana’s development 
objectives. Thus, PFID/NP in Ghana is empowering communities with a comprehensive approach 
that includes technology transfer coupled with a strong capacity building component. 
Throughout the past five years the PFID/NP program has trained more than 1,600 farmers on 
production and processing of valuable natural plant products. The PFID/NP program is also 
working in partnership with the Ghanaian Standard Board, universities and research institutions 
for the empowerment of institutions for the development of research capacity and trade standards. 
USAID/Senegal's strategic objectives. 
USAID/Senegal's strategic objective of Increased Economic Growth through Trade and Natural 
Resource Management. 
The PFID/NP in Senegal has been addressing economic growth, trade and natural resource 
management. During these five years, the PFID/NP program in partnership with AES, has been 
contributing to the generation of trade opportunities for 3200 female and 1,500 male producers in 
Senegal. The program has increased the production of natural plant products, from 29 tons of 
street quality products to more than 240 tons of high quality products for international markets. 
The production of hibiscus for year 2008 is valued at $270,000, thus clearly increasing the 
commercialization of non-traditional agricultural and natural products. The PFID/NP 
communities have also been trained in organic production and are producing organic certified 
hibiscus. In addition, some of the communities are now fair trade certified. Both the organic and 
fair trade production of hibiscus are also addressing natural resource conservation issues. 
In Senegal PFID/NP has implemented multilayer, value addition, strategies that include quality, 
organic and trade certification. This has contributed to tripling the price the farmers are getting 
for their hibiscus calyces. Through this model, Senegal is addressing the three components 
(economic growth, trade and natural resources) of this strategic objective. 
USAID/Rwanda 
Promoting Rural Economic Growth 
The PFIDNP program in partnership with the community based business, Ikirezi Natural 
Products, and World relief is expanding agribusiness opportunities though the production of 
organic certified essential oils. Ikirezi Natural Products is a community based company that was 
initiated as a result of this project. In 2005, the company began impacting 100 farmers and now is 
benefiting more than 500 farmers, of which the majority is female. Ikirezi is beginning to produce 
essential oils in commercial quantities and 240 tons of high quality, organically certified, 
24
geranium oil, valued at $33,000, were produced in 2008. The production is sold to the PFID/NP 
partner, Tuebes International. 
The PFID/NP program has been providing research support and technology transfer on the 
production, distillation, quality and chemistry of essential oils. Ikirezi Natural Products also 
provides regular training on production and processing of essential oils and other crops used in 
nutrition. 
Ikirezi Natural Products, and World relief have been recognized at 2 recent events. A speech by 
Henrietta Fore, the USAID Administrator in November 7th, 2008, and the 2008 White House 
Final Report titled : “Innovations in Compassion.” While World Relief and Ikirezi are 
highlighted, it was PFID/NP's technical and NP program that provided the technical advice and 
expertise that made the project a success. 
USAID/Zambia, strategic objectives. 
USAID/Zambia - Rural Economic Growth Program Strategic Objective No. 1-Increased Rural 
Incomes. 
Increased Private Sector Competitiveness 
According to USAID Zambia, some of the main constraints to agricultural development and 
small-scale rural agribusiness competitiveness are: poor market access and under-developed 
markets that limit production; low farm and firm-level production and productivity due to 
inadequate provision of technical information, limited use of modern production and value￾adding technologies; and absence of business management services. 
The PFID/NP program and ASNAPP Zambia have been working on technology transfer and 
capacity building to increase the volume and value of production. The program began producing 
4 tons of products. ASNAPP Zambia currently produces 161 tons of products, of which paprika 
and birds eye chilly are the most important. The PFID/NP-ASNAPP model of capacity building 
contributes to increased production. ASNAPP Zambia has provided training on agricultural 
productivity and technology transfer to 700 male and 553 female farmers on a yearly basis since 
2004. 
The PFID/NP model also implemented a science based approach to commercialization. By proper 
germplasm selection and the application of good agricultural practices farmers were able to 
produce higher volumes with higher quality. 
The ASNAPP Zambia office has been working in partnership with private companies both from 
the local and international markets. 
4. Have the activities of the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership contributed to 
the strategic objectives of EGAT/AG and the USAID country missions where 
it has been operating? What have been the benefits to USAID and the host 
countries? 
The project, as documented in periodic reports, contributed to: 
a. The economic improvement of the people at the family and community 
levels. 
b. The security of the food supply for families and communities. 
c. Access to marketing chain programs for individual women and groups of 
women. 
25
d. Diversity of crops available for basic production. 
e. Diversity of marketing of products from local direct marketing to 
international partnerships. 
f. Increase in the stability of communities by offering opportunities to 
women, youth and young adults to participate in the production and 
market chains for Natural Products and horticulture crops. 
g. According to one official, “this is a small program doing great things but it 
is below my radar as I have so many bigger projects to manage”. 
h. PFID/NP is making a difference where it counts and for the long term. 
i. A USAID official said, “I wish we could take your model and 
make it bigger so we could get more funds for it.” The ASNAPP 
model is successful because it is market-driven, participative, 
flexible in delivery methods, and driven by the goal to make 
people independent in their production methods. 
ii. If USAID decisions are based on how to spend large amounts of 
cash in a short timewith companies that know the system so they 
can “SHOW RESULTS NEEDED,” then smaller effective 
programs like ASNAPP doing great projects like PFID/NP will 
never receive the funding and support that is necessary for them to 
be successful in taking people from where they are to where they 
want to be. (Jim Freed) 
5. Based on the activities in the first five years of the program, what is the 
potential for the activity to contribute positively to economic growth by the 
end of a five-year extension of the program, in the countries where the 
program has been operating? Have USAID funds been invested in projects 
that are likely to produce a positive return on investment (in terms of 
economic growth in the food industry) by the end of the activity? 
a. Not only does it have the potential but it is doing it right now. 
i. In Ghana alone PFID/NP efforts have increased the market for two 
products (Griffonia and Voacanga) from 3 million dollars US to 20 
million dollars. 
ii. In Zambia they are helping local villages and private businesses 
access markets that are both sustainable and expanding for 
vegetables, flowers, herbs, spices and fruits. 
iii. In Senegal buyers and the Food Technology Institute both 
commented on the increase in quality that added great value to the 
Hibiscus crops provided by the villages of Senegal that were 
trained by and working closely with PFID/NP. We were told that 
if the program could be expanded while maintaining quality that 
there would be no problem in finding markets for these crops. 
b. USAID funds have been invested in projects that are having positive 
returns right now. They are also being used to leverage additional funds 
from NGO’s, governments, universities, private business and 
producer/exporting councils. 
26
To accomplish the PFID/NP goals significant funding was leveraged 
Since 2004, the USAID office of Economic Growth and Trade provided $2.359 million to 
Rutgers University to implement the PFID/NP program. Of this total amount, 44% was 
transferred to Africa, while 33% stayed at Rutgers for programmatic activities and 23% absorbed 
as indirect costs. Of the core PFID/NP funds that went to Africa ($1,033,167), Ghana received 
$655,444; Senegal, $268,323; Rwanda, $51,000; and South Africa, $28,400. The transfer of funds 
into all the African countries was done through the leadership of ASNAPP-Ghana which received 
a subcontract from Rutgers University. To accomplish the goals of the program, additional 
leveraged funding and partnerships were required. 
For example, to strengthen programs in southern Africa, Rutgers University and the PFIDNP 
program were able to leverage almost $1.6 million from additional USAID sources. This included 
“Higher Education for Development” (formerly known as ALO) and an Associate Award from 
USAID Southern Africa office. Of this $1.6 million, 74% was transferred to South Africa (60%) 
and Zambia (14%), while only 16% was used by Rutgers for programmatic activities and 10% 
assessed as the indirect cost. 
To strengthen the program in Ghana, ASNAPP-Ghana was able to receive leveraged funding 
of $212,632 which was awarded from other sources, such as TIPCEE (An USAID/Ghana funded 
project) , the Ghanaian government and others. In Senegal, PFID/NP has been working in 
partnership with AES. The AES partnership generated a leveraged funding of $200,569. The 
greatest leveraging was in Rwanda, with a total of $683,000 in partnership with World Relief, and 
largely generated with a GDA grant (partially USAID supported), the government and non-profit 
organizations. 
Since 2004, and considering all the USAID funds that came to Rutgers, 46% were transferred 
to Africa (Ghana, Senegal, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia), 26% were used in direct support 
of the Rutgers University program and 18% were indirect costs. 
When aggregating all the funds generated since the initiation of this PFID/NP program, a 
total leverage funding of $6.25 million was achieved. The majority of these funds were used by 
Southern Africa (38%, $2.4 million) (South Africa, and Zambia), Ghana (14%, $868,076), 
Rwanda (12%, $734,000), and Senegal (7%, $468,892). Of this total amount, Rutgers used 18% 
($1.1 million) with an indirect cost of (11%, $706,087). 
The total cost ($6.3 million) of this international development work, has impacted 7,000 farmers 
annually, benefited almost 700 organizations, formed 130 partnerships, provided 500 workshops 
and trainings and dealt with 350 technologies. This impact on the natural plant product sector has 
generated $30 million in trade. 
6. Has the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership obtained and/or leveraged 
additional funds utilizing either the USAID Associate Award mechanism or 
from other sources? If so, what are the sources and what programs are they 
funding? If not, why not, and what are the prospects for this PFID/NP 
partnership to obtain and/or leverage additional funding during a five year 
extension of the cooperative agreement? 
a. Yes the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership has obtained funds from many 
sources. (See Question 5 above). 
27
b. The evaluation team met with many of the financial partners who are 
providing support for the PFID/NP project. Their comments support the 
information that the Rutgers-led PFID/NP partnership has presented. 
c. The funds were used for program support, travel, supplies, and all the 
different small and large needs that come with supporting programs in six 
countries in Africa. 
d. The potential for renewed partnerships is very solid. 
e. The potential for new partnerships is limited only because of the lack of 
staff to conduct fundraising efforts without jeopardizing program efforts. 
f. The staff and advisory committee are exploring ways to generate funds by 
charging for some of the services they provide to the more established 
businesses and organizations with which they work. In our visit with one 
processor/exporter he stated, “I am willing to pay a percentage now for 
what I receive, I am more than willing to enter an agreement for future 
help that will be based on my export sales”. 
g. The program members, the staff, the partners and the existing funding 
sources are all very pleased with the return on their investments. 
h. The evaluation team suggested that the ASNAPP team look at what they 
are doing and place a dollar value on it. This will show the program 
recipients what it is costing to have the PFID/NP program. 
i. The Team also suggested that they develop a survey tool that can more 
accurately measure the real impact to the local communities not just to the 
program recipients. In the case of one community there were 11 women 
producing butter from tree beans, but the impact did not stop there. Two 
men were hired to run the milling process that also processed another 
native plant crop as well as maize for the village. There were over 110 
harvesters who picked and sold beans to the women for processing. There 
were fire wood processors who sold fuel wood to the women to fire their 
cookers. This was not unique to this village. It was evident in every stop 
from the most remote hibiscus producing village to the tea packaging in 
downtown Dakar. 
Partnership for Food Industry Development/ Natural Products 
Country Programs Visited 
Zambia 
Once the weakest program regarding increased number of producer associations assisted, 
increased market access, and trade and volume of production, ASNAPP Zambia is now 
the centerpiece of the PFID/NP and ASNAPP country programs network. 
Geographically focusing on Lusaka, Southern, Copperbelt and Eastern Provinces, 
ASNAPP/Zambia focus crops include: paprika, birds eye chili (BEC), moringa and 
lemongrass with total sales valued at $23,000 in 2004 soaring to over $$450,000 in 2008. 
Benefiting from Zambia’s abundant land and water and the Zimbabwe current political, 
social and economic meltdown, ASNAPP Zambia employs aggressive community based 
and lead farmer business models: to transfer 23 technologies; to work directly with over 
1,253 rural enterprises; and 38 (predominantly women) producer associations since 2004. 
28
ASNAPP/Zambia is a free standing NGO led by a private and public sector advisory 
board. Each year, the project receives an annual financial audit. Country program 
operations are managed by a country director, two technical and one administrative staff. 
PFID/NP conducts all chemical analyses for product development trials. PFID/NP also 
provides “Making Quality Matters” Workshops in Zambia and in the satellite office in 
Malawi. 
PFID/NP contributions to ASNAPP/Zambia are significant. The program contributes to 
USAID/Zambia Strategic Objective #1: Increased Rural Incomes. More specifically, 
PFID/NP contributes to market access (Zambia Essential Oil Company and additional 
South African firms)1
, most significantly to paprika and BEC, moringa and lemongrass; 
and also to increased productivity through the transfer of modern production technologies 
and value adding technologies. 
However, the two strongest components of the Zambia program are crop diversification 
and private sector partnerships. Faced in 2007 with the global food price inflation crisis, 
ASNAPP Zambia encouraged farmer enterprises to intercrop natural plant products with 
staple crops. For example, moringa and paprika intercrop well with maize, cassava and 
legumes. By limiting farmers’ risk of investing in alternative crops via intercropping, 
ASNAPP targeted producer associations were better able to absorb the commodity price 
shock from 2007 to the present. 
ASNAPP/Zambia’s second strength is leveraging private sector partnerships to gain 
greater market access and increase availability of financial, logistical and human 
resources. In 2005, ASNAPP/Zambia hosted an African natural products roundtable for 
over 200 participants from 14 African countries, Europe and the U.S. at Sun International 
Hotel in Livingstone, Zambia. The hotel management, noting the enthusiasm of the 
participants, the technologies demonstrated at the conference, and the zeal of the 
ASNAPP team requested assistance in producing quality food for the hotel chain. Four 
years later, ASNAPP has generated 246 farm enterprises supplying approximately 6.5 
tons (85 percent of the fruits and vegetables) to hotels, guest houses and supermarkets in 
the Livingstone area. 
In 2006-07, the team successfully hosted the Southern ‘Making Quality Matter’ 
Workshop for industry players in the horticulture and natural products sectors. Over 150 
participants from the private, public, research, NGO and farmer groups attended the 
workshop. A Southern African Paprika Association was formed to help develop the 
paprika industry. As the result of these activities, the team has been working with 650 
farmers. Since 2006 the production of paprika has reached the 300 metric tons level with 
a value of $400,000. Since 2005, the team is also working in Zambia with other crops, 
that include lemongrass (40 tons with a value of $25,000), fadogia tea (3 tons, $8000), 
and manketi fixed oil (500 kg). New orders by Forbes International have now led to the 
tripling of paprika production and sales and new orders for African Birds Eye Chili are 
being met by over 2,000 small-scale farmers in Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique. 
                                                           
1
 South African companies are Papriex, Van Wyk and Forbes International 
29
Senegal 
An interesting point to note when observing program development and delivery across 
PFID/NP and ASNAPP countries is that no two countries have the same corporate or 
operating culture. The Senegal country program was born from a request by the First 
Lady, Mrs. Viviane Wade and the NGO, Association Education et Sante (AES). Mrs. 
Wade wants to improve the health and welfare of Senegalese women, especially those 
living in less than favorable environments. A quick market study indicated that two 
commodities had excellent local, regional and export market opportunities: hibiscus and 
kinkeliba. 
Given the need to rapidly increase production and quality of hibiscus and kinkeliba, the 
project is led by an extension worker and an excellent agronomist. The ASNAPP project 
complements AID/Senegal’s natural products activity, SAGIC, and ASNAPP receives 
funding from the mission. Before ASNAPP started, an assessment identified four 
constraints that precluded improved production and quality of kinkeliba and hibiscus: low 
yields; low farmgate price (approximately $1/kg); low production volume; and poor crop 
management. 
PFID/NP made the following interventions: (1) supplied improved seeds and seedling 
technologies for hibiscus; (2) introduced seed pod removal device for hibiscus; (3) 
introduced good agricultural practices; (4) instituted vigorous quality systems; (5) trained 
4,000 women annually; (6) trained 40 extension officers annually; and, (7) linked 
growers to buyers. Also important, ASNAPP introduced intercropping of hibiscus with 
cassava, cowpeas and millet. 
The government of Senegal so appreciated the PFID/NP and ASNAPP that it supplies 35 
percent of the annual budget in cash and in-kind. Furthermore, ASNAPP was asked to 
shape a new National Hibiscus Initiative. Beyond the aforementioned, the PFID/NP and 
ASNAPP results include: (a) 350 hectares of organic certified hibiscus and 200 hectares 
of ECOCERT/NOP certified hibiscus; (b) improved quality leading to improved farmgate 
price of $2.2/kg; (c) reduced planting time from 14 days to 2 days per hectare, saving the 
farmer $90/hectare; increased marketing opportunities (ASNAPP farmers sell to ADINA, 
USA, a French company and on the local, Senegalese market). 
Kinkeliba is a real ultra poor household crop. Sustainably harvested, it is the crop that 
generates income between planting seasons in Senegal. The head of the kinkeliba 
women’s group in Kaolack said, “If it were not for kinkeliba and ASNAPP finding us 
kinkeliba markets in Dakar, our members and their families would have nothing to eat!” 
In addition to AES, PFID/NP has numerous partners: University of Dakar, Institut de 
Technologie Alimentaire (ITA), Seriex (tea and spice company), ADINA, and 
AID/Senegal are the most prominent. ASNAPP/Senegal staff are well known in rural 
areas for their radio shows on the production, quality control and marketing of hibiscus 
and kinkeliba. 
While science-based market development has dominated the PFID/NP and ASNAPP 
Senegal agenda, one important and final intervention warrants attention. Excellent 
30
adaptive research has been undertaken with assistance from the government of Senegal 
and private companies on Artemisia plant production, especially in hot, dry climates. 
PFID/NP worked with several Senegalese institutions on Artemisia and Artemisin levels 
as a part of the national government’s efforts to fight malaria. The Artemisia research 
continues and interest mounts over the potential of a private and public sector venture to 
produce Artemisia in Senegal. 
Ghana 
ASNAPP/Ghana and PFID/NP intervene primarily in natural product policy analysis and 
formulation, quality assurance and quality control systems, researching the domestication 
of wild medicinal plants along with developing cropping modules and trade. Once again, 
PFID/NP and ASNAPP tailor program interventions to the need of the industry in 
country. Managed by a two person office, a country director and an agriculture 
development specialist, the host country office stimulates product information exchange, 
establishing quality control systems and market access for the following crops: Grains of 
Paradise, Birds Eye Chili, Voacanga, Griffonia, Shea Butter and Kombo Butter. 
PFID/NP has made significant contributions to its partners and product development in 
Ghana. And, it should be noted, PFID/NP and ASNAPP/Ghana assist producers 
associations and enterprises to target inter-regional and U.S. markets. Most of the 
interested generated in the aforementioned commodities originate from well established 
markets looking for the next generation of scientifically researched natural plant 
products. 
Major commodity successes emanate from Griffonia, Birds Eye Chili, Voacanga, Lippia 
and Kombo Butter. Here are the most impressive examples. Back in 2004, Griffonia (as 
the source of 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) used to suppress anxiety, alleviate depression and 
weight loss, and Voacanga, used for memory enhancement respectively, had no standards 
and was traded ad hoc on the international market including the US, valued at almost $3 
million annually. In 2008, with direct intervention from PFID/NP and ASNAPP/Ghana, 
Griffonia and Voacanga have well established standards and value of trade soared to $20 
million in 20082
. Much of the shipment goes to the Far East and Europe for processing 
but ends up as finished products in the US market. 
Voaconga africana contains several alkaloids used for the treatment of Alzheimer’s and 
Parkinsons, as well as treatment of withdrawal symptoms in alcoholics and drug addicts. 
In 2004, Voaconga was plagued with poor quality, priced at $1.50/kg, export value of 
$1.5m, complaints by importers and frequent disputes between exporters and importers. 
PFID/NP and ASNAPP interventions included training 2000 collectors, 400 collectors 
and 30 exporters in QA/QC systems, introduced electronic trade and mobile telephone 
trading platforms as well as training 3,600 collectors annually in sustainable harvesting 
and post harvest techniques. Results: Voacanga export prices, in 2008, were $6/kg and 
                                                           
2
 The team was told that the value of griffonia trade is grossly underestimated by exporters to avoid 
taxation and government scrutiny. The value of trade is at least twice what is reported. We could not verify 
this. 
31
export value of medicinals increased to $20 million. Average income per collector stands 
at $1,200/annum providing collectors with a 30 percent increase in profit margins. 
Finally, transaction time was reduced from 61 to 29 days. 
Final example includes bird’s eye chilli. Starting in 2009, this product faced severe 
quality assurance issues. With producer training in quality control and using quality 
seeds, PFID/NP and ASNAPP/Ghana shipped eight 20 ft. containers to two companies, 
Dynamic Intertrade and Forbes International in South Africa. 
PFID/NP has strong partnerships in countries that enable the above accomplishment to 
reduce poverty, hunger and malnutrition among Ghana’s small scale producer 
associations. The Forestry Commission, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and 
Technology, Center for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine and the Ghana Export 
Promotion Council have enable PFID/NP to carry out research and development 
supported by relevant policy analysis and formulation. BioResources International, 
Barbex Technology, Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners, Clives 
Teubes Inc (South Africa), Scatters Oil CC (South Africa) and Dynamic Intertrade (South 
Africa) and The Pure Company (Ghana) provide markets for some of the products 
mentioned above. 
Three models showing achievements of PFID/NP and ASNAPP in Ghana were provided 
by the Ghana team and are shown on the following pages. 
32
GRIFFONIA &
VOACANGA
- Developed Quality system
- Trained actors on post-harvest handling
 and business management
- Developed propagation methods
 and production technologies
- Attracted enterprises to develop seedlings
- Provided guidance for production 
- Coordinated industry activities
- Increased volumes
- Improved quality
- Higher prices
- More actors and enterprises
- A taught course established at Bachelor's
 degree level
- Natural products institutionalized at policy
 level
- Low volumes
- Poor quality
- Fragmented system
- Weak public sector exposure
- Export less than $6m
BEFORE ASNAPP 
INTERVENTIONS
ASNAPP
INTERVENTIONS RESULTS OUTCOME
INCREASING TRADE
ASNAPP APPROACH
MODEL 1: INDUSTRY WIDE APPROACH
CROP
- Export increased from 
 $5m to $20m in 3 years
- Over 10,000 beneficiaries
Industrywide approach involving
several service providers and key
industry actors. Service provision
through the entire supply chain
Strong research, quality systems,
industry coordination
KEY APPROACH
33
BIRDS' EYE CHILIES
- Low volumes
- Poor quality
- No export of dried birds eye chilies
BEFORE ASNAPP 
INTERVENTIONS
ASNAPP
INTERVENTIONS
OUTCOME
INCREASING TRADE
ASNAPP APPROACH
MODEL 2:BUYING FROM MARKET CENTRES FOR EXPORT CROP
- Exported 8 containers in 2008
 
- Export value increased from $0 to $180,000
 in a year
- Pending order for 24 containers per year 
 valued at over $600,000
KEY APPROACH
ASNAPP acted as an export 
organization; purchased and 
shipped goods directly to an 
importer
- 
- Secured 
- 
- ASNAPP secured export market
- Identified supply sources (in Togo)
- Purchased goods from market centres
- Prepared goods to meet buyer's requirements
- Shipped goods directly to importer
- Market established 
- Quality systems established
- Production practices established
RESULTS
34
KOMBO BUTTER
- Low volumes
- Poor quality
- No export
- No processing technologies
BEFORE ASNAPP 
INTERVENTIONS
ASNAPP
INTERVENTIONS
OUTCOME
INCREASING TRADE
ASNAPP APPROACH
MODEL 3:LINKING PROCESSORS/SUPPLIERS TO EXPORT COMPANIES CROP
KEY APPROACH
ASNAPP provided technologies
for harvesting and processing; 
supported cottage level processing
and provided market linkage for 
processors to supply exporters
- 
- Secured 
- - Established processing technologies
- Developed quality systems
- Conducted scientific analysis
- Market established 
- Quality systems established
- Established cottage level processing by
 women groups
- Improved processing technologies developed
 by the women groups(increasing yields from
 33% to 40%
RESULTS
- 33 tons of nuts collected, processed
 and exported to the US
- Exported value increased from $0 to $100,000
 - Pending order for 40 tons butter per annum 
 valued at over $200,000
35
PFID/NP Rwanda (Not visited by team) 
PFID/NP, in line with USAID’s support to the Government of Rwanda’s goals set 
forth in Vision 2020 and the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy 
(EDPRS) is helping to revive the essential oil industry in Rwanda. In 2004, ASNAPP 
Rwanda focused on assisting two groups each comprising about 100 people, the majority 
of them women (widows and orphans) (Figure R2). As part of Rutgers research and 
technical support, PFID/NP helped upgrade the essential oil industry to reach 
international standards. 
When the project and concept first began the geranium that was produced was not 
found to be acceptable by the international marketplace. PFID/NP and ASNAPP 
intervened and with assistance from a private sector partner, Clive Teubes International, 
and a private South African nursery, it obtained the correct chemotype, clonally 
propagated the “Bourbon geranium,” and flew the correct and improved plant materials 
to Rwanda where the new fields were established and the project took off. 
Today, the PFID/NP partner organization in Rwanda, Ikirezi Natural Products 
produces high quality geranium oil, accepted by the industry as the top quality Bourbon 
Geranium Oil. Production of essential oils is now being expanded into three areas in 
Rwanda. The entire yield is purchased by a private sector African buyer, Clive Teubes 
International (Johannesburg, South Africa), who sells this product on the global market. 
It required several years of market testing by Tuebes International to successfully 
introduce this geranium oil as a Bourbon type. This type commands the highest price and 
is in the highest demand. Several other essential oil buyers in the UK and USA have 
expressed interest in purchasing these oils. 
This year, Ikirezi Natural Products is beginning to produce oils in higher quantities, 
240kg valued at $33,000. The profits go to the widows and orphans that currently 
include almost 500 farmers. Other activities of the PFID/NP team include capacity 
building, technology transfer, distillation processing, quality control and economic 
analyses. The government of Rwanda is now interested in using this model to expand its 
development efforts. Spin-off benefits have resulted since the women became organized 
under this program for the production of geranium. New essential oil crops are now being 
introduced, and the women with their own leadership and drive brought in a Master 
Craftsperson to show them how to weave and make traditional reed baskets, which 
further contributes to their economic independence and income generating activities. 
Household level impact from this project is significant. Sixteen women have completed 
building their own houses. An additional 16 are currently building their houses. 
Concurrently, the women have developed side vegetable production and marketing 
businesses on the Kigali market. The government of Rwanda considers the 
ASNAPP/IKirezi model a real success and has begun to replicate it with other women 
and orphan organizations. 
36
37
The project has done well regarding partnerships and leveraging PFID/NP funds. In 2004, 
World Relief, in partnership with PFID/NP, was awarded a GDA grant, “Development of 
the Essential Oil Industry in Rwanda for Economic Growth and diversification” for a 
total of $450,000 for three years (2006-09). Additional leveraged funds included 
$100,000 from US Development Funds (2006-07) and $113,000 from the Rwandan 
Government through the Rwanda Horticulture Development Agency. The challenge will 
now be how to maintain this program with the ending of the current GDA and how to 
expand the acreage, involve additional communities, and begin to move onto the next 
series of essential oil crops for Rwanda. 
Ikirezi Natural Products, and World relief have been recognized at 2 recent events. A 
speech by Henrietta Fore, the USAID Administrator in November 7th, 2008, and the 
2008 White House Final Report titled : “Innovations in Compassion.” While World 
Relief and Ikirezi are highlighted, it was PFID/NP's technical and NP program that 
provided the technical advice and expertise that made the project a success. 
PFID/NP South Africa (Not visited by team) 
ASNAPP pioneered, in 1999, the commercialization of natural products in South Africa 
with the Agriculture Research Council. Newly apartheid free, the government of South 
Africa and AID/W were eager to initiate small-scale commercial farming to generate jobs 
and majority owned enterprises in rural areas. Two years later, ASNAPP South Africa 
moved to Stellenbosch University where it is headquartered today. 
PFID/NP has a very focused role vis-à-vis the ASNAPP South Africa. Given the 
historical significance of the commercialization of natural plant products in South Africa, 
Rutgers University interventions are best employed in other ASNAPP country programs. 
That said, Rutgers University has made noteworthy contributions in laboratory analysis 
of rooibos, honeybush and buchu oils and teas. And, the Rutgers University team has 
submitted professional and scientific publications throughout the U.S. promoting the 
chemical analytical findings and subsequent health and cosmetic benefits from these 
South African indigenous plants. 
PFID/NP has promoted the same aforementioned South African teas and essential oils in 
trade shows from California to New York, especially, the International Fancy Food 
Show, Food Marketing Institute, Institute for Food Technology and the Natural Products 
EXPO East and West. 
PFID/NP has extremely good partnerships in South Africa with private companies as well 
as with Stellenbosch University. Dr. Simon is a visiting professor at Stellenbosch 
University’s Department of Agronomy. 
Acknowledgments 
The evaluation team acknowledges the excellent logistics support and responses to 
questions provided by Dr. James Simon and other investigators at Rutgers University and 
at the ASNAPP offices in Africa. Thanks also to Katie Yaeger of USDA/FAS for 
contractual and travel arrangements. 
Appendix 1
Guide to PFIDNP Crop Clusters and Introduction to the Natural Plants and Products in which PFID/NP and
ASNAPP has Focused (Ver. 1)
Plant butters
Common
name
Botanical name Main uses (for income generation) Area of
production/coll
ection
Illustrative annual
production
(PFIDNP) in tons*
value of
production
Shea butter Vitellaria paradoxa Shea butter is a fat extracted from the seeds of the shea
tree. The butter is rich in fatty acids (oleic and stearic
acid) having application in cosmetics and in
confectionery and more.
Northern Ghana  ‐  ‐ 
Kombo Pycnanthus
angolensis
Kombo butter is the seed fat from a nut that is obtained
from the Kombo tree which grows abundant in West
Africa. Kombo butter is unique in that it is the only
substantial plant source of myristoleic acid, a fatty acid
with applications in veterinary products. Newer
discoveries have shown the waste from the processing
of kombo nuts provides a rich source of anti‐
inflammatory compounds.
Ghana 11 (6 of nuts, 5 of
butter)
50,000
* These values are provided as a reference, and represent values outlined in the past reports
Medicinal and plants with nutritional/food uses
Common
name
Botanical name Main uses (for income generation) Area of
production/collec
tion
Illustrative annual
production
(PFIDNP) in tons
value of
production
Griffonia Griffonia
simplicifolia
Griffonia is an important African medicinal plant
because the seeds from this tree serve as the source
of the bioactive 5‐hydroxy‐L‐tryptophan (5‐HTP). This
compound, 5 HTP, is used as an antidepressant, to
treat serotonin deficiency symptoms and in the
treatment of headaches, panic attacks, and weight
control.
Ghana 280 1,100,000
Voacanga Voacanga africana Voacanga africana is a small tree or shrub, up to 6
meter high with low widely spreading crown. The
seeds are the most economically important part of the
plant, containing several alkaloids used for the
treatment of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson, as well as
withdraw symptoms in alcoholics and drug addicts.
Ghana 1,200 5,400,000
Moringa Moringa oleifera Moringa is a multipurpose tree, also called the miracle
tree. The leaves are rich sources of minerals (calcium
and iron), vitamins (E and A), and proteins. The dried
leaves and powder are used as nutritional
supplements and the leaves are also used fresh as a
salad green. The seeds are also a source of fats for use
in cosmetics and the pressed oil is promising for use in
foods and as a carrier oil with cosmetics and essential
oils. The immature pods are consumed fresh as
vegetable. Seeds are also a rich source of protein with
a well balanced amino acid profile.
Zambia, Rwanda,
and Senegal
0.5* 32,000
Miracle berry Richardella dulcifica The fruit, known as miracle berries, produces a
glycoprotein having the unusual property to ‘convert’
Ghana and other
West African
‐  ‐ 
39
a sour and acid taste into an intense sweetness
masking the sourness and acidity we would otherwise
perceive. This protein is denatured in processing thus
the original samples coming to the USA had lost this
attribute. As the processing of freezing protects the
protein, the pulp of the fruit are now freeze‐dried, and
the product sold as such often in a ground or
powdered form. One such product for example is
Miraculin (BioResources International, Inc., one of our
PFIDNP private partners). Miracle berry is used as
taste‐modifier in citrus fruits, vegetables, processed
foods, beverages, confectionery and medicines. Efforts
are ongoing to have Miracle Berries FDA approved as a
dietary supplement ingredient and for use in food and
beverages applications.
countries
*This is for leaf powder; this value is an estimate and is higher since PFIDNP communities in Ghana, Rwanda, and Senegal use Moringa as a vegetable.
The African Mpuntu Brands of Products: Herbal Teas (to demonstrate marketing options but with all products also available as
bulk for private packaging and labeling and other uses). This is now trademark protected.
Common
name
Botanical name Main uses (for income generation) Area of
production/collec
tion
Illustrative annual
production
(PFIDNP) in tons
value of
production
Kinkeliba Combretum
micranthum
Kinkeliba is a popular infusion in Senegal that is
prepared from the dried leaves hand collected from
wild indigenous trees. The tea can have a slightly bitter
taste and is a very rich source of antioxidants. This is a
very popular tea in Senegal.
Senegal 11 175,000
Lippia Lippia multiflora Lippia is a shrub native to Ghana; the dried leaves are
used to make an herbal infusion very popular in Ghana
Ghana 0.5 800
40
that is claimed to have digestive, hypotensive, among
other properties.
Lemongrass Cymbopogon
citratus
Lemongrass tea, made from the dried leaves of the
grass, is a well know infusion in international markets,
widely used in traditional medicine. The leaves make a
refreshing lemon‐like infusion. This grass has been
used as antispasmodic, hypotensive, and analgesic,
among other uses. The grass is also a source of
essential oils.
Zambia 5 9,000
Rooibos Aspalathus lineraris Rooibos (Family Fabaceae) is a shrub indigenous to the
to the Cedarburg and neighboring mountains of the
Western Cape Province. Rooibos, also known as red
tea, is another popular fermented and dried tea
indigenous to South Africa. Now gaining popularity
around the world, this local tea has been a long
favorite of South Africans with exports beginning in
the very late 19th century to Europe from South Africa.
In addition to the unique red color and pleasant taste,
this herbal tea has been shown to be very healthy, rich
in antioxidants and bioactive compounds.
South Africa 420 114,285
Honeybush Cyclopia species Honeybush is a traditional African tea native to the
Western Cape Province in South Africa. The leaves and
the flowers showed a characteristic honey scent from
which the name Honeybush is derived. The tea is
produced from the aerial parts (leaves, flowers and
stems) of the shrubs through a process of
fermentation and drying.
South Africa 100 42,784
Hibiscus Hibiscus sabdariffa Hibiscus produced a flower, when mature produces a
swollen fruit. The seeds are then removed from the
fruit and then dried (know as calyx in commerce). The
hibiscus calyx is a popular infusion in Senegal and is
Senegal 56 160,000
41
used worldwide in the production of herbal teas
blends. Because of its high levels of anthocyanins,
hibiscus is also a source of natural colorants.
The African Mpuntu Brands of products: Spices (to demonstrate marketing options but with all products also available as bulk for
private packaging and labeling and other uses). This is now trademark protected.
Common
name
Botanical name Main uses (for income generation) Area of
production/collec
tion
Illustrative annual
production
(PFIDNP) in tons
value of
production
African Birds
Eye Chilli
Capsicum frutescens African Birds Eye Chilli produces small red/orange (1
inch/2.5 cm long) very spicy and hot pods. The fruit or
pods contain very high levels of capsaicin, the pungent
principle of hot pepper. These types of chillies are
considered among the most pungent. These chillies
also have a beautiful strong color.
Zambia and
Malawi
50 130,000
Paprika Capsicum annuum Paprika produces a 4 inch long pod, is a sweet pepper
that is a source of natural colorant for the food
industry. Paprika refers to the actual dried (whole,
flaked or ground) pod (without the seeds) which is
used as a sweet spice, mostly to give color with a
moderate flavor to food.
Zambia and
Malawi
195 290,000
Grains of
Paradise
Aframomum
melegueta
Grains of Paradise is a seed spice (belonging to the
ginger family) similar to cardamom. The spice was
popular in the 1500’s, though nowadays is almost
forgotten. With a ginger and black pepper
combinational taste, and increased interest in new
flavors, there is increased interest in this old but new
African spice. Now used to flavor foods and alcoholic
beverages such as beer, extracts are also being
developed and commercialized for cosmetic
applications.
Ghana 0.3 1,200
42
43
Xylopia Xylopia aethiopica Xylopia is a small tree that produces highly aromatic
pods (2 inches/5cm long) rich in essential oils. In
Ghana, these pods are dried, ground and used as a
spice to flavor a wide array of foods.
Ghana 0.2 600
Essential oils
Common
name
Botanical name Main uses (for income generation) Area of
production/collec
tion
Illustrative annual
production
(PFIDNP) in tons
value of
production
Geranium Pelargonium
graveolens
Geranium is a popular highly aromatic plant well
recognized on the international market that contains
essential oils (extracted by the process of steam
distillation). The geranium essential oils have a rose
aroma, and have application in the perfumery
industry. The oil of geranium being commercialized in
Rwanda is the Bourbon type, considered to be the
highest quality for use in the fragrance and cosmetic
industry.
Rwanda 0.30 49,500
Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus is a medicinal and aromatic tree. The
leaves are a rich source of essential oils, that contain
high levels of the refreshing component, eucalyptol (1,
8‐cineole) commonly used in the pharmaceutical and
food industry.
Rwanda ‐  ‐
*Further information is available via the New Use Agricultural Natural Plant Products Program (NUANPP) Rutgers University web‐site (see
papers): aesop.rutgers.edu/~newuseag; and the PFID/NP web-site of this project (www.pfidnp.org) as with our implementing partners in Agri￾Business in Sustainable Natural African Plant Products (ASNAPP): www.asnapp.org. This list only features the plants and natural products where 
we focus the bulk of our attention and thus cannot be considered to represent the vast array of herbal teas, botanicals, medicinal plants, and 
plants used for cosmetic and food applications. For further information see the web-sites provided.