SWITCH Africa Green – A Pilot Project: Up-scaling sustainable commercial production of medicinal plants by a community-based conservation groups at Kakamega forest in Kenya | icipe - International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology

The overall objective of the Project is to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practices among local community members that are engaged in domestication and commercial production of medicinal plants and derived products adjacent to Kakamega forest in Western Kenya. The project has facilitated the community members to establish 10 Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) comprising of over 400 households. The Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) practices are aimed at supporting sustainable growth of the MSMEs, and their transition towards Green economy by improving on the following: efficiency in the processes; reduction in raw material inputs; recycling; product quality; reduction in environmental pollution; development, diversification and marketing of green products; health and safety; and social responsibility and equity.

The project is one of the pilot projects under the Switch Africa Green initiative that are located in 6 countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. It is an initiative of the European Union (EU) which is supporting the development of green businesses, eco-entrepreneurship, and use of sustainable consumption practices among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and creating an environment for knowledge exchange and replication of best practices.