The minister of agriculture has approved the inclusion of indigenous medicinal plants and crops as agricultural products, granting official recognition to a high-potential sector.

By Carien Kruger, Senior Journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Buchu (Agathosma betulina); hoodia, also known as ghaap (Hoodia gordonii); and aloe (Aloe vera) are among the indigenous crops and medicinal plants newly added to South Africa’s list of declared agricultural products.

Other plants now on the list are devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens); African wormwood (Artemisia afra); African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea); sutherlandia, or cancer bush (Lessertia frutescens); and black pelargonium (Pelargonium sidoides).

These plants are now officially recognised as agricultural products under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act (Act 47 of 1996). This means that representative organisations for these products can, in future, apply for statutory measures such as levies, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Also read: How indigenous crops can fight global food crisis

Sector Worth an Estimated R12 Billion a Year

Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved the inclusion of these indigenous medicinal plants and crops as agricultural products, granting official recognition to a high-potential sector that contributes an estimated R12 billion a year to the economy.

“For too long, the people who harvest and trade in traditional medicines and indigenous crops have been operating in the economic shadows,” Steenhuisen says. “With this legal change, we are creating dignity, recognition and a pathway to prosperity.”

He says the department continues to modernise and streamline the legal and regulatory environment for agriculture. Outdated legislation prevents the fast adoption of new technologies, tools, practices and innovations that are essential if we want to improve agricultural yields, health and profitability.

Also read: Indigenous foods can alleviate poverty and food insecurity, says KZN MEC

Full List Not Yet Finalised

The original list of declared agricultural products was published in 1997, and has been updated several times since, in line with developments in the agricultural sector.

In addition to crops of South African origin, the term “indigenous crops” also covers species that were introduced to the country but are now regarded as naturalised or traditional crops.

Indigenous crops are categorised as grains, fruits or vegetables – with babala (pearl millet) as an example of an indigenous grain, marula as an indigenous fruit and cassava as an indigenous vegetable.

The full list of these crops and medicinal plants has not yet been finalised, but South Africa is already known for having one of the richest collections of indigenous plants from which medicinal remedies can be derived.