Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165

Perception, Traditional Knowledge, Uses, and Status

of Gum Arabic Production from A. Senegal Tree in
Rural Households of Amibara and
Liben District, Ethiopia
Mister Abebe *, Abeje Eshete1, Zewidu Yilma1
1Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute (EEFRI)
P.O.Box: 24536 (Code 1000) Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract:- Exploring perception, traditional knowledge I. INTRODUCTION

uses, and status of gum arabic production from A.
Senegal tree is crucial to present the existing situation Dry forests are complex ecosystems that are not
and prospects in rural households of Amibara and Liben entirely apprehended and perceived. Scientific knowledge to
district of Ethiopia. Data was collected using key better manage dry forests and sustain the livelihoods of
informant interviews, focus group discussions, and people that depend on these ecosystems remains scanty as
household surveys. The household survey data were research to inform policy and practice is still very limited
collected from 441 randomly selected households. (Lawry et al., 2015). Ethiopia’s dry forests cover about 55–
Descriptive statistics like mean, frequency, and 60% of the country’s drylands (WBISPP, 2004). Numerous
percentage were used to present the study results. The studies suggested that the forests and woodlands in
findings illustrate that the respondents' perception of Ethiopia’s drylands offer good opportunities for improving
gum arabic uses is slight since 90.7% of the sampled rural livelihoods and reducing poverty; in spite of the
households responded to the reasons for not engaging in general perception that drylands are resource-poor areas
gum collection is I did not know the benefit before. (Lemenih and Kassa, 2011; Worku et al., 2011; Gindaba et
About 58.3% of the sampled households are not engaged al., 2007; Lemenih et al., 2003). Ethiopia is soundly gifted
in gum collection. The sampled households indicated with over 60 gum and resin bearing species from Acacia,
that 94.8% of them use natural oozing collection method Boswellia, and Commiphora species that are known to
than tapping for the production of gum arabic. The produce gum arabic, frankincense, and myrrh, respectively
sampled households responded that the relative (Tadesse et al., 2007). Gum arabic is the oldest and best
abundance of gum and resin trees in the study area and known of all-natural gums and is a major gum in commerce
productivity (quantity harvested per unit area) change produced from the stems and branches of A. senegal, A.
status are notably decreasing (55.6%) and notable seyal, and A. polyacantha (Chikamai, 1996). Amibara and
decreasing (56.9%) respectively. Traditional knowledge Liben districts from Afar and Oromia regions respectively
and uses of gum arabic in Amibara and Liben districts are also the resource areas of gum arabic from Acacia
of rural households range from medicinal values and Senegal where this study was carried out.
uses to cosmetics and other uses. The results of the study
also indicate that about 75.5% of the sampled Gum arabic or gum acacia, a natural tree gum exudate
households responded that there is no market produced from Acacia Senegal and Acacia Seyal species and
availability of gum arabic in the area and the reasons for has an important part of commerce since precedent. Gum
facing market problems were lack of buyers, arabic bearing species trees grow broadly through the Sahel
transportation, and lower quality product, high belt of Africa situated in the north of the equator up to the
competition from my competent ranked respectively. On Sahara Desert and from Senegal in the west to Somalia in
the other hand, 89.3% of the sampled households have the east (Mariod, 2018). On the map of the Gum belt in
no credit access. Therefore, the promotion and Africa, almost all parts of Ethiopia covered this shows
commercialization of gum arabic in Amibara and Liben Ethiopia is the main source area of gum arabic source tree
districts of Ethiopia both for the economic benefit of the Acacia Senegal (Assoumane et al., 2009). Gum arabic
community and sustainable management of the fragile collection is in the dry season and harvesting does not
ecosystem is recommended with applicable policy overlap with pastoral or agricultural activities thus being a
articulation, research and development interventions; to vital additional source of income for rural collectors i.e.
make Ethiopia penetrate the international market of diversify the livelihoods of the rural households and can be
gum arabic and to improve its market share too. used as a risk aversion strategy of the rural households in
face of crop failure, the sudden death of livestock, or other
Keywords:- Acacia Senegal, Gum Arabic, Perception, threats to household survival (Chrétin et al., 2008;
Production, Marketing. Freudenberger, 1993). The chemical composition and

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Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
properties of gum acacia vary mainly in genotypic II. METHOD
differences, age, climate, soil, and plant pathogens. Gum
arabic is employed in industries as an emulsifier and a 2.1. Description of the study area
thickening agent in foods (Mariod, 2018). It’s been applied The study was conducted within the Amibara and
to alleviate the consequences of chronic kidney failure, and Liben districts of Ethiopia (Fig.1). Amibara is one among
it’s an honest antioxidant, which protects against cardiac and the districts within the Afar region. Amibara is a component
hepatic toxicities (Mariod, 2018). of the administrative zone 3, bordered on the south by
Awash Fentale, on the west by the Awash River which
Gum arabic still has a significant international market, separates it from Dulecha, on the northwest by the
especially in the European Union. Gum arabic plays a vital administrative zone 5, on the north by Gewane, on the east
role in Sudan’s economy and represents about 12% of GDP by the Somali region, and on the southeast by Oromia
which is more than 80% of the total world gum arabic region. A total population of 63,378 of whom 35,378 are
(Abdulgadir, 2013; men and 28,004 men with a neighborhood of 2,007.05
square kilometers over 68.86% of were Muslim (CSA,
Forman, 2012; NGARA, 2017). Besides, the source of 2007).
income from gum arabic is stable for rural households
especially in the crop failing time and accredited as a crucial Liben is one among the districts of the Oromia region
main component of traditional rainfed farming due to its located altitude ranges from 1120 to 1600m.a.s.l about 630
contribution to household income and the country’s foreign km south of Addis Ababa. Liben is part of the Guji zone
exchange earnings (Abdelnour, 1999 cited in Hammad and and bordered on the south by the Dawa River which
Mohammed, 2018; Taha et al., 2018). separates it from the Borena zone, on the west by Odo
Shakiso, on the northwest by Adolana Wadera, on the north
Ethiopia’s total production and export quantity of by the Ganale Dorya River which separates it from the bale
natural gum and resins including gum arabic is a declining zone, and on the east by the Somalia region. Consistent with
trend since 2010 and listed as minor gum arabic producing CSA (2007), a complete population of 138,813of whom
country which covers only 1.6% of production offered to 70,130 were men and 68,683 was women majority of them
international market (Muller and Okoro, 2004; NFSDPE, was Muslim (59.45%), while 21.07% of the traditional
2018; Tadesse et al., 2020). Like other countries, Ethiopia beliefs. Species like Combretum, Terminalia, Acacia,
also can penetrate the international market of gum arabic Pistacia, Commiphora, Lannea, Euclea, and Olea are
and improve its market share too. Likewise, Ethiopia has a common within the studied area (Amauel et al., 2019).
huge resource and urgent to seek viable strategies that have
both actual and potential significance, contribute optimally
to the wellbeing of communities, local, national, and
international economies as well as the environment,
including biodiversity (Worku et al., 2011). Sound and
sustainable management of this natural resource are required
to ensure socio-economic benefits, processing, and product
development of gum arabic (Lemenih et al., 2003).

In Ethiopia, there is an enormous gap between the

production potential and actual production of gum arabic.
Due to poor documentation, parallel trade across borders,
lack of forest product control offices, and obtaining precise
quantitative information on actual annual production by gum
type in the country is difficult (Tadese et al., 2018).
However, information on the existing situation, perception
of the local communities, the traditional knowledge, use,
production, and marketing of these products about the Figure 1: Map of the Study Area
resource in Amibara and Liben districts are inadequately
documented. This paper aims to present the existing 2.2. Sampling procedure and data collection
situation, perception, traditional knowledge, use, and status This study, conducted among pastoralist harvesters
of gum arabic production from Acacia Senegal tree in rural and other actors involved in the development and business
households of Amibara and Liben Districts of Ethiopia. of the gum arabic industry in Amibara and Liben Districts of
Hence, the objective of the study was to assess the existing Ethiopia. Households from the data collection area were
situation on the perception of the local communities, selected randomly based on households living around the
traditional knowledge, uses and status of gum arabic resource area of gum tree Acacia Senegal. 121 households
production and marketing from Acacia Senegal tree in rural from Liben district from five administrative kebeles (peasant
households and analyze the existing challenges, associations): Boba, Melka Guba, Bulbule, Hadessa, and
opportunities, and overall future prospects of sustainable Korati were selected. Four focus group discussions were
gum and resin development, production and undertaken by two men and two women at Melka Guba and
commercialization. Boba kebeles. The data collection time was in May 2016.

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Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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Two times data from Amibara district from eight household head is performing in livestock production
administrative kebeles (Andido, Bedulale, Serkamo, Awash activities (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Sale of firewood or
Arba, Angelele, Keleat Buri, Sidha fage, and Halay dege) charcoal: = 1 if the household head is selling firewood or
were taken. The first data were collected from 120 charcoal (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Income from wage
households in duration in April, 2016. Besides, four focus labor (yes/no): = 1 if the household head is getting income
group discussions were undertaken by two men and two from wage labor (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Food for
women at Andido and Seidha fage kebeles. The second data work (yes/no): = 1 if the household head is participating in
were collected from 200 households on May, 2017. Besides, food for work (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Cash for work
six focus group discussions were undertaken three men (yes/no): = 1 if the household head is participating in cash
(Bedulale, Awash Arba, and Halay dege kebeles) and three for work (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Productive Safety
women (Angelele, Serkamo, and Keleat Buri kebeles). Nets Program (PSNP): = 1 if the household head is
participating in Productive Safety Nets Program (PSNP)
The study depicts the responses to the survey (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no). Income from NGOs
questionnaire which was administered to the respondents in assistance: = 1 if the household head is getting income from
Amibara and Liben districts kebeles. A standardized semi- NGOs assistance (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise (no).
structured questionnaire was administered to the
respondents through face to face interviews, conducted by 2.3. Data analysis
enumerators. Below there are the description and definition Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version
of variables and their measurement of how the latter 20.0 software was employed to analyze the household
variables were operationalized in this study. survey data. Descriptive statistics like mean, percentage, and
frequency distribution were used to describe the
Family size: measured as continuous variable the total demographic characteristics of the sampled households.
number of a family member living in the household head Qualitative data generated from key informant interviews
house. Sex: measured as a dummy variable to assign 1 if the and focus group discussion was analyzed and interpreted on
sex of the household head is male 0 otherwise. Age: spot.
continuous variable the actual number of years lived by the
household head. Education: a dummy variable 1 if the III. RESULTS
household head education literate, 0 if illiterate. Marital
status: = 1 if the household head marital status is married 3.1. Demographic characteristics of sampled households
and 0 otherwise. The structured household survey was undertaken from
a total of 441 households'. Of this, the socio-economic
Land owned (in ha): the amount of farm size the demographic information showed that majorities of the
household owned by the household in a hectare. sampled household head were 71.9% was male and the rest
was female (Table 1). Moreover, the mean respondent's ages
Distance to gum Forest (in hrs): the distance to gum were 39 with a minimum and maximum of age 18 and 100
arabic forest resource measured by walking hours. Distance respectively. Regarding the literacy level, 70.3% are
to nearest Market: the distance to nearest market measured illiterate and the rests are literate. This shows the penetration
by walking hours. Distance to Extension office: the distance of formal education is still low i.e. less than half of the
to the extension office measured by walking hours. Distance sampled households’ only 29.7%. Although the educational
to Asphalt road: the distance to asphalt road measured by background of the household head is believed, to be one of
walking hours. Distance to Electric grid: the distance to the decision determinants for the engagement of households'
electric grid measured by walking hours. for gum collection. Besides, 83.9% of the sampled
households’ religion is Muslim; 14.3% are Wakefeta
House with Corrugated Iron sheet: = 1 if home roof (religion especially in Guji Oromo ethnic group) and the rest
made corrugated iron sheet; 0 otherwise. Asset were in other religions.
Accumulation in Ethiopian Birr: measured the household
equipment and tools owned in birr. Net Income (in Furthermore, 85.5% of the interviewed household
Ethiopian birr): income from the crop, livestock, off-farm heads are married. The mean family size is 6 with a
and non-farm added and their cost deducted. Training minimum and maximum of 0 and 26 respectively (Table 1).
Awareness at least one: a dummy variable whether the The result showed, the majority of the households
household head attained at least one training and awareness interviewed were engaged in livestock production i.e. 81.0%
forum in the last three years yes= 1; no =0. Market and only 29.3% of the households were participating in crop
Availability (yes/no): = 1 if the household facing any farming (Table 1). This showed the majority of the
problem in marketing gum product (yes), 0 (zero) otherwise interviewed households in the study area are pastoralists.
(no). The mean land owned by the households interviewed was
1.01 with a maximum of 33ha. The mean livestock holding
Employed in government job: = 1 if the household of the households interviewed were 43.92 in TLU (Tropical
head is employed in government organization (yes), 0 (zero) Livestock Unit) with a minimum and maximum of 0 and
otherwise (no). Crop farming (yes/no): = 1 if the household 6001.10 respectively (Table 1). The household preferences
head is carrying out in crop farming activities (yes), 0 (zero) of occupation and livelihood activities lie on livestock
otherwise (no). Livestock production (yes/no): = 1 if the production 60.5% and 25.6% households responded very

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Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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important and important respectively as the study area livelihoods (Crop farming, Petty trade, Daily laborer…) are
households are pastoralists while most of the other means of in the least important preference categories (Table 2).

Table 1: Socio-economic characteristics of the sampled households

Socio-economic characteristics Descriptions
Gender (1 if male, 0 female) Male 71.9% and female 28.1%
Age Mean 39.76 and ranges 18-100
Marital status(1 if married and 0 others) Married 85.5% and others 14.5%
Literacy level(Education) Illiterate 70.3% and literate 29.7%
Family size (in No.) Mean 6.46 and ranges 0-26
Land owned (ha.) Mean 1.01 and ranges 0-33
Religions (%) Muslim 83.9%, Wakefeta 14.3%, others 1.8%
Livestock holding (in TLU) Mean 43.92 and ranges 0 - 6001.10
Livestock production(yes/no) Yes 81.0% and no 19.0%
Crop farming(yes/no) Yes 29.3% and no 70.7%
Employed in government (yes/no) Yes 27% and no 73%
House with corrugated iron sheet Yes 8.2% and no 91.8%
TLU:-Tropical livestock unit

About 67.6% of the sampled households were not zero to 2.07 in walking hours (Table 3). The asset
trained at least one training, about 58.3% of the sampled accumulation that are equipment and tools owned by the
households were not engaged in gum collection, and from sampled households in Ethiopian Birr (ETB) with mean
those 75.5% of the households are not receiving market 2373.20, ranges 0-149010.00 and the standard deviation
availability of gum (Table 3). The sampled households (STD)=7559.77 (Table 3).
distance access to infrastructure and services ranges from

Table 2: Household preferences of occupation and livelihood activities

Very important Important Least important
Means of Livelihoods
Count (%) Count (%) Count (%)
Crop farming (incl. Gardening) 52(11.8) 77(17.5) 312(70.7)
Livestock production (incl. Dairy products) 267(60.5) 113(25.6) 61(13.8)
Petty trade 12(2.7) 32(7.3) 397(90.0)
Daily laborer 80(18.1) 56(12.7) 305(69.2)
Sale of gum products 17(3.9) 44(10.0) 380(86.2)
Sale of other forest products 3(0.7) 25(5.7) 413(93.7)
Charcoal and firewood selling 13(2.9) 25(5.7) 403(91.4)
Support from relatives/individuals 10(2.3) 27(6.1) 404(91.6)
Support from organizations 11(2.5) 32(7.3) 398(90.2)
Other off-farm activities except for the sale of gum and
10(2.3) 57(12.9) 374(84.8)
government employer

Table 3: Descriptions of sampled household’s status using different variables

Variables Descriptions
Training awareness at least one (yes/no) Yes 32.4% and no 67.6%
Sale of charcoal and firewood selling (yes/no) Yes 1.8% and no 98.2%
Income from wage labor (yes/no) Yes 5.4% and no 94.6%
Food for work (yes/no) Yes 9.5% and no 90.5%
Cash for work (yes/no) Yes 4.1% and no 95.9%
Productive Safety Nets Program (PSNP) Yes 57.6% and no 57.6%
Income from NGOs assistance Yes 2.0% and no 98.0%
Distance to gum Forest (in hrs) Mean 0.03 and ranges 0-0.67 (STD=0.05)
Distance to nearest Market (in hrs) Mean 0.10 and ranges 0-0.80 (STD=0.15)
Distance to Extension office (in hrs) Mean 0.06 and ranges 0-0.22 (STD=0.05)
Distance to Asphalt road (in hrs) Mean 0.08 and ranges 0-2.07 (STD=0.14)
Distance to Electric grid (in hrs) Mean 0.05 and ranges 0-0.70 (STD=0.10)
Asset Accumulation in Ethiopian Birr(ETB) Mean 2373.20 and ranges 0-149010.00 (STD=7559.77)
(Equipment and tools)
Net Income(in ETB) Mean 3796.48 (STD=13028.48)

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Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
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3.2. Perception, Traditional knowledge and uses of gum washing stomach for abdomen ultra-sound), helps to
arabic in rural households recover from a diarrhea disease, decrease farting and
In the study area, 92.3% the sampled rural households stomach bolting
know plant which bears gums and resins i.e. Acacia b. Used to recover from malaria too.
Senegal. The sampled households responded that they use c. They use the bark and leaf of the A. Senegal tree for
Acacia Senegal species trees for purposes of firewood which tonsillitis, abrupt(accidental) stomach disease
is 42.4% of the sampled household and for other purposes d. For wound for stop bleeding and to survive early from it
uses like fencing, house construction, gum collection, e. To survive from bone fracture(for human and livestock)
medicinal value, and farm implement. Varieties of gum and f. For children stomach diseases(smelling it), to remove
resins they collect from the area are Gum 423(95.9%), baby skin rashes and it is useful to recover them from
incense 6(1.4%), myrrh 12(2.7%). Perception of the rural mouth wound
households on gum arabic in the study area is slight because g. Other gum than Gum Arabic had a style of bolting
about 90.7% of the sampled households responded to the stomach after eating but Gum Arabic had no effect on
reasons for not engaging in gum collection is I did not know bolting stomach.
the benefit before and responded too it was not profitable h. It is believed that if someone is eating Gum Arabic he
18(4.1%), I was engaged in other off-farm activities will be healthy.
3(0.7%), other 12(2.7%) and I do not have the right to 5. Eating it to survive from hunger and also used as
produce 8(1.8%). chewing gum
i. It is good for healthy teeth while chewing it, it will kill
The sampled households responded that the relative bacteria's in the teeth, pick dirty from teeth, and make the
abundance of gum and resin trees in the study area are teeth strong
notable decreases (55.6%), no significant change perceived ii. Used as food with water and milk and the fresh one too
(10.9%), notable increase (7.5%). The sampled households used as the food it will fill our stomach and It will give
responded to productivity (quantity harvested per unit area) us energy and make us strong
change status are notable decrease (56.9%), notable increase 6. The men eat it and had sexual intercourse with his wife
(12.5%), and no significant change perceived (5.9%). The to get an active and healthy child(it is believed that the
major reasons for relative abundance and productivity of child that will be born is healthy, strong, and active)
gum and resin tree notable decreasing are the households 7. It is believed that when men eat it their gone sperm will
uses these trees are used for fencing, cultural services, be substituted by it.
climatic conditions (Elino(in Amibara district), lack of 8. Incense for fumigation: For women used in the form of
rainfall, drought problem, lack of management, lack of steam and using the smoke of it like incense
knowledge and awareness on climate change and gum i. She will feel free after use of it and her tiredness will
resource, the encroachment of Prosopis juliflora (Prosopis leave her.
juliflora invasion) (in Amibara district), deforestation due to ii. Make her skin clear and soft; her skin color will be
house construction, fencing, farm implements, firewood and changed to white.
expansion of agricultural land, engagement in gum iii. It will help her as anti-aging, sports exercise(it help her
collection is increasing while the forest is not increasing. to be strong and healthy)
iv. The smell of her after steaming the smoke of gum arabic
Traditional knowledge and uses of gum arabic in will be changed to good and men’s in the area likes it
Amibara and Liben districts of rural households range from and uses for women’s as attracting their men’s
medicinal values and uses to cosmetics and other uses (listed v. It is believed that her diseases go out by sweating while
below). Further research is needed on traditional knowledge she is in steam
and use of gum arabic since this research only highlights the 9. Insect repellents: When their livestock are under biting
traditional knowledge and uses of gum arabic. of insects like a tick (mezeger), they mix gum arabic
with water and put on their body, totally the animals will
The traditional knowledge and uses of gum arabic in survive from it.
Amibara and Liben Districts is listed below:- 10. If they didn't get gum arabic one year they believed that
1. Hairstyle (to form traditional hair dreadlocks of men in year is not good (it is believed that there will be drought,
the area) no rain, and famine).
2. Put on Eye borrow (to survive from human eyes), for a
clear vision of eye and eye infected 3.3. Current status of gum arabic production, harvesting,
3. While changing goatskin to bags something that holds processing, and marketing
material (Silicha) and for writing material of Quran: - The collectors of gum arabic in Amibara and Liben
soaking the skin with water and gum Arabic will remove districts are pastoralists or rural households (children,
the hair, the meat from the skin, remove the smell of the women, men, herders, and anyone who goes to A. Senegal
skin, and make it strong. forest). In the area of gum and resins, stakeholders are
4. Medicinal value and uses pastoral office, cooperative office, trade, and industry office,
a. They will dissolve in water and add sugar and drink it, it SOS-Sahel Ethiopia. About 58.3% of the sampled
will use as to wash our stomach and it is believed that it households are not engaged in gum collection (Table 5).
will take out our disease and dirty things from their Their main motivations behind engagement in gum arabic
stomach (like informal science castor oil used for collection/ reasons for engagement are gum arabic collection

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is economically attractive (cash income) 64(14.5%), less sampled households store gum Arabic in plastic sacks, jute
income from agricultural production 38(8.6%), scarcity of sacks and others ranked respectively. Their motive behind
other products 4(0.9%), no significant economic activity in storing is lack of market demand, expecting high price and
the season 8(1.8), ease of selling the product and income saving purpose ranked respectively too. The production time
potential 9(2.0%), others 311(70.5%), when cash income is two times in the year the first time from October to
attractive and no significant activity in the season 7(1.6%). December (especially on this month have high production)
The engagement in gum arabic collection for how long and the second time from March (high production time) to
ranges from 0 to 25 years and it depends on the household April.
use for medicinal value and other uses like for hunger.
Regarding the processing of gum arabic processing
94.8% of the sampled households use the natural activities like only decrease the size 21(4.8%), separate the
oozing collection method for the production of gum arabic. bark from gum 56(12.7%), grade 5(1.1%), others
In the study area, the organization of gum arabic harvesting 359(81.4%) which means they are not a collector or they are
by pastoralist is they collect gum arabic when they go to the not processing. The reasons for not processing before they
forest to other activities like herding livestock, they pick sell lack of knowledge, lack support from the government,
when they see it to chew for the tolerance of hunger or other financial constraint, lower profit from processing ranked
medicinal values and they had a habit of biting the trees by respectively, and some of them responded to the above two
axe or ingot (tegera) or any other material they hold when or more together. Generally, the processing of gum arabic
they go for any other off-farm activities. They will come to activities is not performed well because of the knowledge
the home with it and they will start storing it. Most of the gap, lack of support, and lack of demand on it.

Table 4: Production, harvesting, processing, and marketing of Gum Arabic

Variables Descriptions (frequency and percentage) n= 441
Engagement in gum collection (yes/no) Yes 184(41.7%) and no 257(58.3%)
Do you collect on grade level? Yes 98(22.2%) and no 343(77.8%)
The method you use for the production of gums Natural Oozing collection 418(94.8%), Tapping 23(5.2%)
Processing before you sell Yes 109(24.7%) and no 332(75.3%)
Did you store gums Yes 151(34.2%) and no 290(65.8%)
Your buyers Unions 8(1.8%), whole sellers 23(5.2%), private investors 17(3.9%),
cooperatives 30(6.8), final consumers 56(12.7%), village market
13(2.9%)
Easiness to find a buyer Difficult 110(24.9%), very difficult 13(2.9%)
Market information from Extension office 80(18.1%), own survey 33(7.5%), other farmers 10
(2.3%)
Market availability of gum (yes/no) Yes 108(24.5%) and no 333(75.5%)
Power to bargain price Yes 47(10.7%) and no 175(39.7%)
Satisfied with the current price Yes 31(7.0%) and no 192(43.5%)
Access to credit Yes 47(10.7%) and no 394(89.3%)
Membership of cooperatives Yes 70(15.9%) and no 371(84.1%)
Formal or informal institution governing access to Yes 80(18.1%) and no 361(81.9%)
gums and resin resource
Legal requirement to engage on gums and resin Yes 85(19.3%) and no 356(80.7%)
business
Willing to engage in activities to upgrade gum Yes 233(52.8%) and no 208(47.2%)
and resin business

In the study area, it is difficult and very difficult to cooperatives are not including those households as a
find buyers of gum arabic due to lack of information about cooperative member, they are serving to cooperate them. In
buyers 55 (12.5%), inaccessibility of market 39(8.8%), low Amibra district only in one kebele (peasant association) i.e.
price offer 10(2.3%). About 75.5% of the sampled Andido in 2016 the district administrative helping to find
households responded that there is no market availability of buyers the households even if their products are in poor
gum arabic in the area and the reasons for facing market quality at last they sold one kilogram of gum arabic sold by
problems were lack of buyers, transportation, and lower fifteen Ethiopian birr(1.44$ US dollar). In the next year
quality product, high competition from my competent 2017 drivers of higher vehicles to Djibouti buy one-
ranked respectively. The major sources of finance available kilogram gum Arabic by one hundred Ethiopian Birr (3$ US
for gum arabic collection activities are self, informal, and dollar in 2017) and the other kebeles (peasant associations)
formal ranked respectively. On the other hand, 89.3% of the herd this too but still they did not offer to the market. In
sampled households have no credit access (Table 4). In these years 2016 and 2017 the households annually on
Liben district only in one kebele Melka Guba there are average 2.74 kilograms amount of gum arabic collected with
cooperatives who can buy gum arabic in small price but the average annual cash income generated from sale gum arabic

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was estimated to be 40 Ethiopian birr (1.75$ US dollar). In human welfare and environmental health and numerous
general, the marketing of gum arabic in the area shows there studies indicated that forest and woodlands in Ethiopia’s
is no market linkage, no link with buyers, low sale prices, drylands can offer good opportunities for reducing poverty
lack of information and there is no favorable condition for and improving rural livelihoods (Lemenih and Kassa eds.,
the market. 2011). Ethiopia has one of the largest resource bases for
commercial plant gum and resin production (Kuchar 1995;
3.4. The existing situation and prospects of gum arabic in Tadesse et al., 2002); despite the resource is not exploited
Ethiopia and used. As in other places too, the dry forests in this study
Even though there is a huge potential for gum arabic to area provide diverse goods and services such as fodder, fuel,
offer to the development and conservation of the Acacia cash income, building materials, and herbal medicines, and
Senegal resource area, there are several existing challenges they help to protect the soil from erosion and to restore soil
that disturb the full utilization in Amibara and Liben fertility.
Districts Acacia Senegal. The major existing challenges on
gum production/collection and marketing mentioned as Several studies showed that economic development
follows by the sampled households and assessed by the can be energized by the country’s natural gum investment
study. subsector (Lemenih, 2005; Roukens et al., 2005).
Furthermore, the global demand for gum arabic is steadily
i. Lack of ownership on gum resources area: currently increasing. Improving market linkage and access to this
there is no restriction in place on the amount of global market can increase the income of households and
harvesting done by an individual or group of people. improve their livelihood diversification with high prices that
Focus group discussion revealed that lack of ownership encourage the households’ effort to improve the quality of
on gum resources prevents farmer’s engagement in gum gum arabic and to sustainably manage the dry forest. As a
production and marketing. There is no clear boundary for whole, this, in turn, contributes to local and national
one cooperative or community in the area everyone can economic growth.
tap and everyone can collect the gum arabic. In the area,
baboons are also participating in collecting gum arabic Provisioning the environment for commercialization of
for their food so that the rural households are not gum arabic in these resource areas wills bright the future
benefited. prospects of gum arabic in Ethiopia. In the study area
ii. Lack of market availability and access: there is no market linkage, forming functional cooperatives and making
market linkage from the place. Mujawamariya (2012) membership the rural households in cooperative and
suggested that associations of collectors and traders awareness creation on management, production, processing,
possible potential that will contribute to market access tapping technology and providing good quality gum arabic
and the main policy implications include the need for pertinent to the commercialization of gum arabic and to
expansion and maintenance of Acacia Senegal resource make Ethiopia penetrate the global market of gum arabic.
base, direct market intervention, continuous sensitization The Ethiopian government has to enhance its support for the
of collectors and traders, and a better organization of the gum arabic sector by actions on the quality of the
marketing system. commodity, capacities of stakeholders, and promotion of
iii. Lack of value chain development: there is no developed gum Arabic on both national and international market.
value chain
iv. Lack of value addition of gum arabic: there is no value 3.5. Enabling the improvement of the gum arabic supply
addition started in the area starting from the small like chain
grading and separating bark and impurities. Developing value chain and market, the quality
v. Source of knowledge and information: lack of adequate management, and enabling the improvement supply chain of
market information and fair market prices of gum gum arabic the product aid the households to increase the
products was a challenge to fully engage in the gum ability to survive, provides an economic buffer in times of
production and marketing sector. difficulty, and is one an element of livelihood portfolios
vi. Lack of appropriate tapping knowledge/technologies and even under normal conditions, and develop rural
awareness creation on management and production of microfinance. To sustain the livelihoods of people that
gum arabic: lack of appropriate tapping depend on this dry land ecosystem forest product gum arabic
knowledge/technologies and sustainable management market and value chain play a vital role visa-vise to enable
and utilization of Acacia Senegal resource area. the improvement of the supply chain. On the other hand, it
vii. Lack of access to credit: The study result revealed that assists the countries including Ethiopia to develop business
since there is a lack of credit access farmers were not and marketing and acquire foreign currency.
involved to engage in gum production and marketing.
viii. Cooperative initiation and member of cooperative: As Centre for the Promotion of Imports from
farmers mentioned that there are no cooperatives developing countries (CBI), 2018 of market information of
established in the gum production and marketing sector natural food additives gum arabic report on exporting gum
and this discourages engagement in gum production. arabic to Europe, European demand for gum arabic is
steadily increasing. The demand has increased by an
Since the drylands of Ethiopia are resource-poor area estimated 2.5% annually in the past five years due to major
but they are important in terms of their contributions to drivers behind the growth includes new product

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Volume 6, Issue 2, February – 2021 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165
development, and substitution of synthetic thickeners (CBI, and Liban Zone in Southeastern Ethiopia (Lemenih et al.
2018). In the next five years, the demand for gum acacia is 2003). In the study area, livestock husbandry is the
expected to continue growing at a similar estimated rate of predominant occupation and the livelihoods of the
2.5% annually (CBI, 2018). A need for natural thickeners to community are dependent on it, this also was discussed in
produce clean labels is the major driver for growth. The Lemenih et al. (2003), Worku et al. (2011), and Dalle et al.
main three importers of gum arabic from European countries (2005) studies. Some of the traditional knowledge and
France, Germany, and United Kingdom ranked respectively traditional uses of gum arabic is similar with to studies in
(CBI, 2018). The major exporters of developing countries Borena Zone Southern Ethiopia (Worku et al., 2011) and
are Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Eritrea ranked respectively. Liban Zone in Southeastern Ethiopia (Lemenih et al. 2003).
In the next five years, imports by France, Germany, the
United Kingdom, and Italy are expected to increase in line Perception of the rural households on gum arabic in
with the increase in demand at 0-5% annually (CBI, 2018). the study area 90.7% households responded I do not know
France and Sudan will continue to dominate trade (CBI, the benefit before for why they are not engaging themselves
2018). At this time, the European importers welcome new in gum collection; this is similar to study in Borena Zone
sources since they are strongly dependent on Sudan presents Southern Ethiopia (Worku et al., 2011) about 93% of the
a high risk for them, as it is a politically unstable country households responded to very little knowledge on the
(CBI, 2018). So Ethiopia can also stress in promotion of economic value of gum and resin resources on national and
gum arabic that offers an alternative source of gum arabic to international markets as well as on the use of gums and
European importers. resins in advanced industries. These knowledge gaps in the
country, in association with the existing poor link to market,
Buyers in the European Union have strict requirements prevent stronger engagement of the households in the
for gum arabic. Buyers requirement for natural food production of gums and resins.
additives deals with legal and non-legal requirements
especially on the following topics: food safety – traceability, The major sources of livelihoods in the study area are
hygiene and control, contamination, adulteration, livestock husbandry, daily labor, crop farming and sale of
classification, labeling and packaging, substances allowed in gum product ranked respectively; this is inconsistent
the European Union, extraction solvents, liability, food Lemenih et al. (2003) and Worku et al. (2011) in Liben and
safety certification, kosher and halal certification, Borena Zones of Ethiopia where their three major sources of
documentation, samples, payment and delivery terms, livelihoods livestock husbandry, collection of gums and
sustainability, certification of organic production, and resins and farming.
quality (CBI, 2018).
Communities in Amibara and Liben districts can be
In general by providing the legal and non-legal said production of gum arabic only for domestic
requirements of the European Union to Ethiopia; Ethiopia consumption thus the sale of gum arabic is still small in
has to emphasize and tackle to enter into the system of gum amount. This is not similar to other studies communities
arabic trade by providing security to the country, increasing living in the arid and semiarid parts of Tigray (Tadesse et
and stabilizing the production of gum arabic (i.e. by giving al., 2003); Borena communities Southern Ethiopia (Worku
ownership to the area to the rural households, functional et al., 2011) and Amhara (Eshete et al., 2005) National the
cooperative formation, awareness creation on knowledge Regional States, northern Ethiopia, produce gums and resins
and information on management and production of gum for both domestic consumption and sale. The production of
arabic, value chain development), and promoting quality gum arabic differs from other places 94.8% of the sampled
gum arabic export. Ethiopia has also to sharpen their households use the natural oozing collection method in
projects intended at contributing to poverty reduction and Amibara and Liben districts while they had a habit of biting
environmental protection by strengthening the gum arabic the trees by ax or ingot (tegera) or any other material they
value-chain in Ethiopia for the commercialization of gum hold when they go for any other off-farm activities. On the
arabic and by developing market opportunities for the other hand, the production processes of communities in
sector. As a whole Ethiopia has to enable and implement Borana different practices and have not exercised artificial
project management and stakeholder’s animation, rural tapping unlike those in the northern parts of Ethiopia; they
value chain development, and quality management, business collect only the naturally oozed (Worku et al., 2011).
development, and marketing, rural microfinance, functional Moreover, the collection efforts of Borena are not as well
cooperative formation, and membership of rural households organized as in the northern parts of the country, since
capacitive. collections are individualistic and/or fragmented (Worku et
al., 2011). This study is similar in the collection effort and
IV. DISCUSSION the collection method with study in Borena Zone Southern
Ethiopia (Worku et al., 2011) but in their habit of biting the
The uses of gum arabic in Amibara and Liben District trees by ax or any other material differ. The sampled
are multiple purpose as in most areas of Ethiopia relies on households associated that the lack of clear ownership, lack
firewood, fencing, house construction, gum collection, of cooperatives, lack of coordinated and organized
medicinal value, and farm implement; this is a similar to collection with the lack of appropriate tapping and post-
studies in Borena Zone Southern Ethiopia (Worku et al., harvest technologies as well as attractive markets.
2011); Metema in North Gonder Zone (Eshete et al. 2005)

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In the group discussion after they are informed about grateful to Mr. Nesibu Yahya for his assistance in preparing
the use and benefit of gum arabic they are interested to be a the map.
member of cooperatives and they need clear boundaries of
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