Women in Arid areas minting millions from the Nopal Cactus!
“We warm the succulent leaves under 60 degrees and mix one pulp of the juice with 3 liters of water then ferment it for 14 days where we get a very soothing wine”
Cactus juice-Image Courtesy
Nopal Cactus plants are suited to a hot, semi-desert climate and grow mostly in the Northern parts of Kenya where they receive low amounts of rainfall and can grow in any environmental conditions.
Residents who live in the northern part of the country try their best to get rid of the Cactus because they see it as a non-beneficial plant.
The Nopal Cactus are uprooted, Burnt and even cut down, as they are perceived to hinder the growth of pasture for the livestock.
The nomadic communities believe the cactus spines injure their livestock by causing eye blindness, low vision and even death when consumed.
However, for the nomadic women in Laikipia County, the Nopal cactus plant is highly valued .
The women here have learnt the art of making a living out of the Cactus that has employed thousands of women who now depend on the plant to provide for their families .
Priscilla Sentina, head of the Twala cultural farm says they collect nopal cactus plants, remove the spine, pack them in crates and supply them to a processing plant in Laikipia County.
The succulent cactus are used to manufacture the Nopal Cactus fruit juice, The purported benefits of fresh nopal juice include lowering blood sugar, healing wounds, and reducing cholesterol.
“ The company buys a crate at Ksh.700, its juice is highly sorted for by people suffering from diabetes ,With the money we can now pay for our children’s schools fees and are able to sustain our families ”Sentina Opines.
Rosemary Nenini, Twala Chairperson, emphasizes many of the women are now economically empowered by the Wild Nopal cactus that was once dreaded by the Nomadic communities .
The Women here also harvest the wild cactus seeds and dry them and use them to produce cactus oil that is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, soaps as well as creams and shampoo.
Ann Tome a resident of Laikipia also explains that the Cactus succulent leaves are diced into small pieces and used in the production of biogas,
“the leaves are chopped into small pieces put in a grinding machine, resulting into a slimy product that is then put into balloon biogas digester and after a while it produce gas that can be used at home for cooking,
Under the hot sun,women here continue to make money from the Nopal Cactus Wine ,
“We warm the succulent leaves under 60 degrees and mix one pulp of the juice with 3 liters of water then ferment it for 14 days where we get a very soothing wine ,we package that and supply to the market ,It has a huge demand ” Says Florence Larpei
However these benefits could be short-lived due to the over harvesting of the Nopal Cactus in Arid and Semi Arid Areas .
The women here hope the National Government and the county Government could help in the conservation of the Nopal cactus .
These efforts will not only ensure economic sustainability for the communities in Arid and Semi-Arid areas but will also breathe life to the 2023 Africa Climate summit agenda that seeks to explore climate change adaptation, resilience and solution strategies for Africa and the World.
STORY BY: JESSE ABISHECK
Email: abijessyshi@gmail.com
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