A. Species
Scientific name: Vachellia seyal
Common name(s): Shittah Tree, Red Acacia
Global IUCN Red List Threat Status:
B. Location of use
Geographic location(s):
- Sudan
Country/Region:
C. Scale of assessment
Scale of assessment: Sub-national / Sub-region / Sub-State
Name/Details of location: KORDOFAN REGION, SUDAN
D. Timescale of use
Start Year: 2021
End Year: 2025
E. Information about the use
How is the wild species sourced?: Wild species sourced from the wild but reared/cultivated in a managed site
Type of use: Extractive
Practice of use: Gathering/Cutting/Collecting terrestrial plants and fungi or their products from the wild
Lethal or non-lethal: Non-Lethal
Does this use involve take/extraction of: Only parts or products of the organism
Purpose(s) of end use: Food and feed, Medicine and hygiene, Energy and Materials and construction
Motivation of use: Income generation from trade (individual/household/community) and Climate Change Nature Based Solution / Adaptation Measure
Is this use legal or illegal?: Legal under national law
F. Information about the Users
Which stakeholder(s) does the record primarily focus on?: Local people
G. Information about the sustainability of use
Is there evidence that the use is having an impact on the target species?: Wild species sourced from the wild but reared/cultivated in a managed site
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an ecological perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered sustainable
Details of assessment carried out: Ongoing FOGA assessment
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: "Intervention areas were once abundant with Acacia trees that have undergone significant degradation over time. During the last fifty years, these woodlands were replaced by various forms of agriculture such as grain and peanut cultivation." "The project had planted 250,000 trees before 2023 and another 230,000 during 2023. Twenty village nurseries were established in collaboration with Ecosia in the Kordofan region. "
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an economic perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered sustainable
Details of assessment carried out: Ongoing FOGA assessment
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: " Typically, farmers are limited to harvesting and selling crude Gum Arabic to local village traders. Subsequently, the goods pass through a network of roaming regional traders spanning various villages, followed by a cleaning process managed by different agencies before reaching import-export channels. This lengthy supply chain reportedly involves up to eleven intermediary steps, leading to heightened transaction costs and reduced benefits for local harvesters, who endure harsh conditions while living below the poverty line." "In contrast, FOGA took a markedly efficient approach by cutting out intermediaries, directly procuring the raw ingredient, processing it in their own cleaning and spray drying facilities, and overseeing exports and imports independently. By fostering short supply chains, FOGA was able to produce gum at a competitive final price, with Acacia trees providing a reliable source of gum and income to the harvesters. Such a direct strategy is uncommon within the gum trade industry. The f inal prices exhibited significant fluctuations, with many companies opting not to disclose their pricing structures, but processed gum had the potential to be marketed in the European market at rates ranging from USD4-20 per kilogram."
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a social perspective been recorded?: Yes, considered sustainable
Details of assessment carried out: Ongoing FOGA assessment
Brief summary on why the use has been assessed/judged to be sustainable or unsustainable: "By providing meaningful work opportunities within their own villages, young people are less inclined to migrate to cities, something that promotes social cohesion and stability. The project had planted 250,000 trees before 2023 and another 230,000 during 2023. Twenty village nurseries were established in collaboration with Ecosia in the Kordofan region. These are managed by women-led cooperatives. FOGA also empowers womenled communities to establish and manage nurseries for growing Acacia saplings. This equips them with new skills and, crucially, also provides income opportunities through the sale of Arabic gum."
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from a human health perspective been recorded?: not recorded
Has an assessment (or judgement) of sustainability of the use of the target species from an animal health/welfare perspective been recorded?: not recorded
Recommendations provided in the record to maintain or enhance the sustainability of the use of the target species
Record source
Information about the record source: grey_lit and formal_data_stats
Date of publication/issue/production:
Source Reference(s):
Date of record entry: 2025-07-07