Conservation and Restoration of African ginger (Sidvungule)
Luyengo, 9 April 2026 – Today, the Eswatini Institute for Research in Traditional Medicine, Medicinal and Indigenous Food Plants (EIRMIP), successfully hosted a pivotal workshop at the Luyengo Campus focused on the conservation and restoration of African ginger (Sidvungule). This initiative is part of an ongoing project titled “The distribution and conservation of African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) in Eswatini – an endangered medicinal plant”. Supported by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund in partnership with the Global Environment Facility, the session brought together a diverse group of community traditional practitioners and muti traders to address the urgent need for protecting this red-listed species.
The workshop served as a vital platform for education and engagement, where the EIRMIP team shared sustainable restoration strategies and practical propagation techniques. By capacitating medicinal plant users on how to cultivate African ginger, the project aims to bridge the gap between conservation and the improvement of local livelihoods through the commercialization of traditional medicine. Participants were given a first-hand look at the plant’s potential through prototypes of finished products, including African ginger-infused honey and marmalade, and were encouraged to explore professional packaging to enhance the market value of their offerings.
A key highlight of the discussions included a focus on the Nagoya Protocol, emphasizing the importance of fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. As the University continues to lead research that integrates indigenous knowledge with scientific conservation, this workshop marks a significant step toward ensuring that Sidvungule remains a resilient part of Eswatini’s natural and cultural heritage for generations to come.
