Residents from Turkana are reaping big from the production of aloe vera products.
Members of Nalapatui Village in Turkana West formed a group and established a plantation of Aloe turkanensis and Aloe vera.
Aloe vera production in the region was initiated and implemented by a collaboration between Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and international partners GIZ-TCF.
They harvest the aloe vera, extract the sap and mix it with chemicals to produce solid soap, aloe gel soap and shampoo.
The solid soap is stored for six weeks to ensure that the harshness of caustic soda used in the manufacturing process dissipates.
Through the production of the various products, members of Nalapatui Community Group have been able to earn a living by selling the products at Kalobeyei centre and have customers in Lokichogio and Kakuma.
A bar of solid soap goes for Ksh50 while half a litre and a litre of soap and shampoo retail at Ksh100 and Ksh200 respectively.
According to Etot Samal, the group’s secretary, aloe vera has medicinal as well as aesthetic properties which makes it a favourite among locals
“Adding aloe to our products makes them better and the group can make money out of this plant that grows in the wild,” stated Etot.
Kalemngorok Group, under the Turkana Bio Aloe Organization, produces aloe gum which retains at Ksh10 per kilo. They also produce detergents and hand sanitisers.
The residents resorted to aloe vera farming as other crops which relied on rainfall could not thrive in the harsh climatic conditions following an extensive spell of very little rainfall.
They also lost the majority of their animals to drought and frequent bandit attacks.
Members of the community have been able to open kiosks and buy animals from the proceeds of aloe vera products.
The Nalapatui Community Based Natural Resource Management Committee ensures that the farming is done in a sustainable way to avoid the extinction of the plant.
Apart from generating revenue, the aloe vera plantations provide aesthetic value to the land and act as a cover crop to the soil.
