IFRA Vice-President visits Buchu plantations in South Africa and engages with local stakeholders

As part of these efforts, a project was carried out in South Africa to gain first-hand insight into the development of a sector-wide benefit-sharing agreement for Buchu. This indigenous biological resource, endemic to the Western Cape, is primarily processed into essential oil for use in the fragrance and flavour industries. It is also used as a dried leaf for herbal infusions.

In partnership with IOFI and the South African Association of the Flavour and Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI), IFRA supported the process that led to a landmark Benefit Sharing Agreement between the Buchu Association and traditional knowledge holders, namely the National Khoi-San Council (NKC) and the South African San Council (SASC). The initiative formed part of the BioInnovation Africa project, which also involved the South African Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and the German Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

During his visit, IFRA’s Vice-President had the opportunity to see first-hand the cultivation and processing of Buchu, including visits to plantations north of Cape Town. The visit took place alongside his participation in SAAFFI’s Annual Seminar.