Price Increase Enhances Spending Power for Devil’s Claw Harvesters in Kavango East Price Increase Enhances Spending Power for Devil’s Claw Harvesters in Kavango East
Harvesters of Devil’s Claw in the village of Livayi in Muduva Nyangana Conservancy in Kavango East are experiencing a tangible boost in their seasonal income following a recent price increase from N$44 to N$50 per kilogram. This adjustment, while seemingly modest, significantly impacts communities with limited access to formal employment.
In the 2024 harvesting season, the average harvester collected 34 kg, earning approximately N$1,500. In rural areas like Kavango East, where formal employment opportunities are scarce, this income can cover several months of staple foods, school fees, and other essential household needs.
The price increase was secured through negotiations with EcoSo Dynamics, the primary off-taker operating in the region. The company aggregates Devil’s Claw from multiple communities and exports it to European markets, where demand for natural remedies and botanical extracts remains steady.
EcoSo Dynamics' Role in Formalizing the Devil’s Claw Industry
Since 2008, EcoSo Dynamics has played a pivotal role in formalizing the Devil’s Claw industry in Namibia. The company established structured purchasing agreements with conservancies, ensuring that harvesters receive fair compensation for their products. By implementing traceability systems, EcoSo Dynamics can track each batch of Devil’s Claw back to the individual harvester and harvesting location, promoting transparency and accountability in the supply chain. Additionally, the company has supported harvesters in obtaining organic and Fair for Life certifications, which have opened access to premium markets and ensured sustainable harvesting practices.
Training and Sustainable Practices
To support both ecological sustainability and economic potential, harvesters have received training in Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP ). These sessions, delivered in local languages, included technical instruction and the provision of proper harvesting tools. The training aims to improve the quality of harvested roots to ensure they meet international standards—a key condition for maintaining and increasing market access.
Market Linkages and Oversight
EcoSo Dynamics remains the main buyer in the region, playing a central role in aggregating Devil’s Claw and exporting it to buyers in Europe. The company works closely with conservancy leadership to ensure that harvesters are supported with pricing information, training, and compliance with export standards. The inclusion of a N$2 contribution to Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism ensures that some portion of the commercial value derived from indigenous biological resources is reinvested at a national level.
Limited Growth Potential but Real Local Impact
Namibia is currently the world’s largest supplier of Devil’s Claw, contributing over 90% of global exports. However, the industry is primarily based on wild harvesting, regulated to avoid ecological degradation. National harvesting levels generally remain below 1,000 tonnes annually, with regulatory and environmental constraints making large-scale commercial expansion unlikely.
Cultivation of Devil’s Claw remains experimental and limited due to the plant’s long growing cycle (up to four years), specific soil conditions, and sensitivity to transplanting. Unlike many commercial crops, Devil’s Claw does not yet lend itself easily to mechanised farming.
Looking Ahead
While the industry may not scale significantly beyond its current ecological limits, targeted improvements—such as better prices, training, and value chain development—have the potential to enhance household resilience in remote areas.
EcoSo Dynamics’ commitment to transparent pricing discussions, support for training, and maintenance of long-term buying agreements has contributed to a more stable and predictable income for harvesters. In areas where cash income opportunities are rare, even small increases in seasonal income can directly translate into greater food security, education access, and basic living standards.
As efforts continue to refine quality control and traceability, the Devil’s Claw sector shows potential not for mass employment or commercial farming, but for providing consistent, dignified income to those who rely on it.
In the 2024 harvesting season, the average harvester collected 34 kg, earning approximately N$1,500. In rural areas like Kavango East, where formal employment opportunities are scarce, this income can cover several months of staple foods, school fees, and other essential household needs.
The price increase was secured through negotiations with EcoSo Dynamics, the primary off-taker operating in the region. The company aggregates Devil’s Claw from multiple communities and exports it to European markets, where demand for natural remedies and botanical extracts remains steady.
EcoSo Dynamics' Role in Formalizing the Devil’s Claw Industry
Since 2008, EcoSo Dynamics has played a pivotal role in formalizing the Devil’s Claw industry in Namibia. The company established structured purchasing agreements with conservancies, ensuring that harvesters receive fair compensation for their products. By implementing traceability systems, EcoSo Dynamics can track each batch of Devil’s Claw back to the individual harvester and harvesting location, promoting transparency and accountability in the supply chain. Additionally, the company has supported harvesters in obtaining organic and Fair for Life certifications, which have opened access to premium markets and ensured sustainable harvesting practices.
Training and Sustainable Practices
To support both ecological sustainability and economic potential, harvesters have received training in Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP ). These sessions, delivered in local languages, included technical instruction and the provision of proper harvesting tools. The training aims to improve the quality of harvested roots to ensure they meet international standards—a key condition for maintaining and increasing market access.
Market Linkages and Oversight
EcoSo Dynamics remains the main buyer in the region, playing a central role in aggregating Devil’s Claw and exporting it to buyers in Europe. The company works closely with conservancy leadership to ensure that harvesters are supported with pricing information, training, and compliance with export standards. The inclusion of a N$2 contribution to Namibia’s Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) mechanism ensures that some portion of the commercial value derived from indigenous biological resources is reinvested at a national level.
Limited Growth Potential but Real Local Impact
Namibia is currently the world’s largest supplier of Devil’s Claw, contributing over 90% of global exports. However, the industry is primarily based on wild harvesting, regulated to avoid ecological degradation. National harvesting levels generally remain below 1,000 tonnes annually, with regulatory and environmental constraints making large-scale commercial expansion unlikely.
Cultivation of Devil’s Claw remains experimental and limited due to the plant’s long growing cycle (up to four years), specific soil conditions, and sensitivity to transplanting. Unlike many commercial crops, Devil’s Claw does not yet lend itself easily to mechanised farming.
Looking Ahead
While the industry may not scale significantly beyond its current ecological limits, targeted improvements—such as better prices, training, and value chain development—have the potential to enhance household resilience in remote areas.
EcoSo Dynamics’ commitment to transparent pricing discussions, support for training, and maintenance of long-term buying agreements has contributed to a more stable and predictable income for harvesters. In areas where cash income opportunities are rare, even small increases in seasonal income can directly translate into greater food security, education access, and basic living standards.
As efforts continue to refine quality control and traceability, the Devil’s Claw sector shows potential not for mass employment or commercial farming, but for providing consistent, dignified income to those who rely on it.
