Untapped Phane trade market worth US$ 500 million
APalapye based enterprising youth Desmond Munyadzwe, is unearthing a multibillion worth mophane market, which has gone unexplored for ages. Popularly known as phane in Setswana, or masonja in Kalanga, the harvesting and trading of this distinct worm has been a side venture by many communities, usually in the Northern areas, however if carried out in a formalised sector, it has the potential to contribute significantly to the economy, and lead to establishment of thriving business venture, Munyadzwe told Botswana Guardian this week. Like many people who grew up in the North, he often joined his family on phane harvesting expeditions in the bush, and as he grew older, he realised that the demand was a possible minefield, as it goes beyond Botswana’s borders, to SA, Zambia, Zimbabwe and even overseas. His company is leading part of a grander scheme to monetise untapped phane market, and create a long- term sustainable ecosystem for the worm, found predominantly in southern Africa.
Munyadzwe said from the little research they had conducted, they realised that there is a huge market for phane in South Africa and Zimbabwe. He also pointed out that there was also a viable global market for phane overseas.
“We are talking about a market worth 300 million US dollars per annum. Zimbabwe’s phane industry was worth 600- 700 million US dollars but the economic factors there affected production – so if Zimbabwe could do so well, we could also have a hand as Botswana,” he said.
He said Botswana produces enough phane annually for domestic consumption and for commercial sale.
The country has an advantage because phane is predominantly found in southern Africa. Munyadzwe has established Znum num, which produces and distributes 100 percent organic African delicacy, bottled phane stew and packet phane snacks: preservations free – with only flavouring added. The phane can be consumed as a relish or snack. Phane being a high source of protein, higher than meat, is a good choice for people to explore alternative healthy eating and diversifying their food options. It is also more affordable and easier to prepare in comparison to meat.
Znum num currently distributes its products to Motswana owned filling stations and stores in Francistown, Palapye, Maun, Kasane, Gaborone and Jwaneng. Munyadzwe explained that their mandate is to create a phane value chain that is formalised and controlled, with a reliable market. He said the challenge in the past had been that some people harvest phane haphazardly in a vacuum. “Sometimes someone is selling phane, but the next time they are not selling it… we want to get rid of this inconsistency, and create an organised market, production and distribution value chain,” he said.
An environmentalist at heart, Munyadzwe is committed to the protection and preservation of the ecosystems where phane is harvested, and has invested a lot of his time on research exploring the dynamics of the phane ecosystem. His constant worry is that phane faces possible extinction in some parts of Botswana because of over- harvesting.
He pointed out that there is a lot of phane this season because the harvest season was short due to the Covid19 pandemic social distancing restrictions and lockdowns. He said during open periods, people go all out and harvest as they please. “One of the reasons that government introduced the licensing system for harvesting phane was because the ecosystem was being affected and depleted as everyone could just harvest it mindlessly.” He also pointed out that climate change impacts also affect the existence of phane in Botswana. “The changing climate cycles, of drought, and high rainfalls and flooding affect the existence of phane. The phane needs warm temperature to thrive, and in the mophane tree which it is found in.” Munyadwze is currently studying the silk worm – produced in parts of Asia ( China, Japan and India among others) which is farmed and harvested for silk, as its production phase is similar to that of phane, as they are both worms.
This method referred to as seri- culture has potential to be adapted in Botswana as the silk worm is similar to the phane, although the difference is that with seri- culture it is the cocoon that is taken out while with the phane, the whole worm is taken before it has reached its maturity.
He expressed hope that following research and collecting his findings, he would be able to identify committed investors to assist with the establishment of Botswana’s first phane farm.