SOLUTION FOR FRANKINCENSE
The challenges surrounding frankincense
The challenges surrounding Frankincense in Somalia are indeed substantial, but viable solutions are also present. Miskaadgums adheres to a management reference document that delineates the fundamental principles of the biology of frankincense trees and the associated social structures. It also encompasses optimal approaches for resin collection, resin treatment, and forest management. Furthermore, this document puts forth supplementary steps to guarantee the well-being of frankincense forests and to facilitate the prosperity of the communities reliant on them.
Promoting Sustainable Forest Practices
We collaborate closely with our community partners involved in harvesting to deliver training in sustainable harvesting techniques and land management. Our efforts include monitoring the overall health of the forest and advocating for the rejuvenation of the tree population. We deeply respect and acknowledge the wealth of traditional ecological knowledge that surrounds frankincense trees and their sustainable harvesting practices. This indigenous wisdom serves as the cornerstone of our approach to responsible land management in the harvesting regions.
However, it’s important to recognize that factors such as poverty and the added strain of drought due to climate change can sometimes lead communities to engage in more intensive harvesting practices than they ideally should, driven by the need to sustain their livelihoods. In response, we intentionally offer higher compensation for the resins and work in direct collaboration with the harvesters to facilitate the implementation of enduring and sustainable management plans, thereby addressing and mitigating these challenges.
Human Rights and Equitable Collaboration
We make certain that our harvesters are officially registered within our system. We provide them with fair and direct compensation through digital payment methods, ensuring that there are no intermediaries skimming off funds. This approach, combined with on-site audits, serves as a safeguard against any instances of forced labour or child labour within the system. In these ways, we guarantee the procurement of resins through equitable partnerships and uphold the principles of human rights throughout our system.
Ensuring Equitable Compensation for Harvesters
We meticulously record our resin acquisitions using our accounting system to verify that payments are channelled directly to the harvesters and cooperative members, circumventing any intermediaries. These payments are executed digitally via a mobile banking platform, enabling us to provide evidence through receipts that payments are complete and punctual. These transaction receipts are subsequently uploaded to the account system and linked to each respective transaction, ensuring transparency and accountability in our payment process.
Empowering Women and Supporting Communities
Empowering communities in the region is synonymous with empowering women. We are committed to establishing a community-based women’s distillation cooperative, offering a sustainable source of income for women. We also distribute personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves, to women involved in the resin sorting process. Our aim is to provide new opportunities and resources for women in the region.
We allocate funds for community development investments aimed at enhancing water access, diversifying income sources, improving education, healthcare, and other projects that the communities prioritize. By documenting these expenditures and payments on the account system, we ensure that the allocated funds are employed appropriately and in their entirety.
