The majestic baobab tree, found in Africa, Australia, and the Middle East, has been a blessing to communities for centuries. Every part of the tree – from its leaves to its fruit – has been traditionally utilized as food, medicine, or as a basis for clothing and household items. Its leaves and fruit pulp are renowned for boosting the immune system and reducing fever, and many believe the baobab can cure almost any disease.
Baobab fruits hang upside down from the branches and are “wild-harvested.” They contain powder-coated seeds that are growing in commercial value as they are not only rich in vitamin C, iron, and calcium but also proven antioxidant properties.
Baobab as a Source of Income for Women
In Mozambique, particularly in the northern part of Manica Province, the baobab tree has transformed lives. Traders from Maputo and even neighboring Malawi travel to the region to purchase the precious fruits directly from women who harvest them and extract the seeds. To support these women in earning a better income, Baobab Products Mozambique (BPM) was established in 2015 with the backing of the Mozambican non-governmental organization Eco-MICAIA Foundation.
In just five years, BPM has grown to become one of Africa’s leading producers and exporters of organic baobab powder. In 2019 alone, the company purchased nearly 400 tons of baobab fruit pulp and seeds, providing an average income of $70 per harvester – a sum that makes a significant difference in one of the poorest regions of the province.
Strengthening Women’s Leadership
Recent initiatives to empower women economically and in leadership were spearheaded by GIAE (Green Innovation Centers for the Agriculture and Food Sector), in collaboration with BPM and the Eco-MICAIA Foundation. The following steps aim to ensure women take the lead in managing their association and contributing to BPM’s long-term success:
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
A formal agreement between BPM and the Baobab Association ensures that 20% of BPM’s profits are allocated to the association.
Leadership and Management Training
Coaching sessions were provided to 35 female community representatives and 10 association managers. These trainings focused on roles, responsibilities, business management, and planning.
Stakeholder Mapping for the Organic Sector
Preparations for a comprehensive stakeholder mapping in the organic sector are underway, supported by national consultants and IFOAM experts. This will help identify opportunities and strengthen Mozambique’s organic industry.
Food Processing and Post-Harvest Management Training
BPM staff have been trained on advanced food processing and post-harvest techniques, improving the quality and efficiency of their production processes. Cacilda Muandinhosa, president of the Baobab Association, reflected on the progress:
“With this planning and budgeting exercise, we feel that we are now being transformed into a new stage of leading our association and taking the ownership into BPM’s business model.“
Developed manuals and training documents can be found here.
New Jobs Through Local Processing Centers
The recent establishment of three processing centers has significantly increased the efficiency of operations while creating new job opportunities in the region. Women like Manhanhe Neva, 49 years old and a mother of four, have directly benefited:
“By being a collector and a member of the association, I have the privilege to sell fruits at a fair price and to work as a cracker, which contributed to my income.” – Her additional income has allowed her to make home investments, such as purchasing goats and covering school expenses for her children.
Another positive example is Terezinha Fombe, a woman from Lampa Sede village in Tambara district, Manica Province, who has been a baobab collector and an active member of the Baobab Association since 2017. At 70 years old, Terezinha is a respected representative at the community level. In 2020, she sold 372 kg of baobab fruit (five bags) to BPM, earning 2,604 MZN: “Baobab is my source of cash. It also helps me to use my experience to advise other association members on how to improve the quality of the fruits.” Terezinha also had a successful harvest of sorghum and maize, which is sufficient for her family’s consumption. She has plans to invest her baobab income in a radio, a cellphone, and contributions to a local savings group.
More success stories can be found here and in this factsheet on Economic Empowerment of Women in Mozambique.
Further information material produced as part of the GIAE project in Mozambique can be found on the Atingi GIAE-Project Website.
