Another example of a wild species being farmed: this article in the San Francisco Chronicle tells the story of Hoodia gordonii cultivation in southern Africa. The species is the source of a hunger suppressant which Unilever has been licensed to commercialize, with a royalty payment going to San tribesmen. Another Hoodia species may have potential as a salad vegetable. Prices are such that there is a thriving smuggling trade in wild-harvested product. Some Namibian farmers are trying to cultivate the plant – organically – but it is not easy.
I live in San Diego California and have been farming the South African Hoodia Gordonii Succulent now for 3 years. It is easy to grow once you learn what it’s likes and dislikes are, which I did through trial and error. The plant grows quickly and can be harvested at 18 months but at 3 years the harvest is astronomical at $600,000 of product per acre of 40,000 plants. Also the Hoodia plants are flowering and giving seed twice a year, averaging about 10,000 seeds per mature plant. The germination rate is 99% and seeds sprout in 2 to 3 days. They can be grown anywhere avocado or citrus trees are grown and will withstand lower temps than the avocado and citrus trees. my field plants have withstood 14 degree frosts with only minor frost damage to fresh stem tips. They also grow year round no dormancy at all.
Jim
This is blatant advertising, but we’re secure enough to allow that. I wonder, though; have you considered sending anything to the !San in the Kalahari? You, presumably, have other options on your farm. They do not.
Just a thought.
Jeremy
hello
i have not profited from this farming as of yet but when the time comes i will surely share profits with the San in the Kalahari. i didnt think it was advertizing i was only stateing what i have learned and been doing and the potential for farming this succulent in the US verses haveing to import it from africa.
growing them here in the us will also help stop some of the illegal harvesting in africa which is a major concern for the hoodia in the wild.
jim
Hi guys,
I’m just doing some research into the popularity and sustainability of Hoodia in Western consumer markets, and was wondering if any of you knew of any certified (or not) farms outside of Africa?
Thanks,
Anna.
No.
Likewise. I doubt whether anyone farms Hoodia outside Africa.
hi anna
i live in san diego and have been farming the hoodia since 2004
Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot about you, Jim!