The Hoodia Commercialization and Poverty Reduction Project (HCPRP) is an initiative by the Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU) and the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) to contribute to rural poverty reduction in Namibia, specifically in the Hardap and Karas regions, by commercializing Hoodia and developing it into an industry that will stimulate economic growth. The project tries to establish Hoodia based SME’s, create new employment opportunities and provide alternative forms of income to rural communities. The project is funded by the European Union through the Rural Poverty Reduction Programme of the Namibian Government for a two year period (2007 until 2009).
Beneficiaries of the project have been identified (300 households). They receive grower starter packs consisting of seed, Hoodia plants, horticultural equipment, and tools as well as fencing material. The project makes provision for training and skills development, ongoing field support, research, development of institutional capacity and social education. Currently two tenders have been advertised (which will close on 15th July 2008 at 10h00) for the acquisition of hardware and shade nets.