Mopane woodlands and the mopane worm

Timetable

The project is funded for three years by DFID, starting on May 1st 2001.

Year One

Collate and synthesise existing information on the biology and use of Imbrasia belina, on the management of mopane woodlands and on the the main marketing channels, functions, information flows, contractual arrangements and constraints at each stage of the production-to-consumption system.
Begin fieldwork in RSA and Zimbabwe to improve knowledge of the contribution of mopane worms in rural livelihoods.
Document institutional arrangements and conflicts concerning access to and use of mopane resources, and begin fieldwork to investigate these further.
Begin field studies on the population biology of I. belina and on the effects of I. belina defoliation of Colophospermum mopane on leaf growth and quality.
Begin field studies on the effects of different management regimes for C. mopane on growth and leaf quality..
Begin fieldwork to quantify the relationship between I. belina larval density, growth and mortality under controlled field rearing conditions to determine the range of larval stocking densities that maximise yield, and establish a pilot project to develop techniques to improve the yield of I. belina larvae.
Develop techniques for improving the harvesting, processing and storage of mopane worms
Establish a captive I. belina breeding facility.

Year Two

Continue fieldwork investigating I. belina population biology, defoliation effects and management regimes for C. mopane and on techniques to increase the yield of I. belina larvae.
Continue to develop techniques to improve harvesting, processing and storage of mopane worms.
Work with producer communities to test and evaluate improved processing and storage techniques
Explore the formation of networks of producers for sharing information and experiences in mopane worm harvesting, processing, marketing and other activities.
Identify within- and between-year variations in traded volumes, prices, quality and grading, and market trends by a survey of harvesters and marketers of mopane worms
Assess margins associated with value-adding processes in the mopane industry from harvesting to consumption.
Survey consumer preferences, patterns of consumption, market segmentation and perceptions of product quality.

Year three

Finish fieldwork investigating I. belina population biology, defoliation effects and management regimes for C. mopane and on techniques to increase the yield of I. belina larvae.
Continue to develop techniques for increasing the yield of I. belina larvae.
Using information acquired in previous activites, establish a pilot project with KyT producer groups to test and improve techniques to increase the yield of I. belina larvae.
Continue to develop techniques for improving harvesting, processing and storage of mopane worms, and continue to test these techniques in collaboration with producer communities.
Continue to explore the formation of networks of producers for sharing information and experiences in mopane worm harvesting, processing, marketing and other activities.
Produce a pamphlet on 'best practice' in managing mopane woodlands and I. belina, written in vernacular, for distribution to relevant producer communities.
Disseminate information about institutional and other actions of mopane worm producers to resolve conflicts over access to mopane worm resources.
Prepare, evaluate and distribute to relevant producer communities training materials, in vernacular, describing the production-to-consumption systems, market conditions, and improved processing techniques and potential new products.
Disseminate information on developments in mopane worm farming, harvesting, processing and marketing through workshops and other media to representatives of intermediate recipients and ultimate beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
Disseminate existing and new knowledge of 'best practices' concerning access by rural poor to mopane woodland, woodland and worm management, worm processing, marketing and income distribution.