The Restoration Initiative (TRI) Project in Sao Tome and Principe
The Restoration Initiative (TRI) project in Sao Tome and Principe’s investments are helping to boost a responsible economy based on the restoration, conservation, and sustainable management of forest landscapes and farmlands.
Interview with António Camuenha Alberto
António Camuenha Alberto, an ecoguide and friend of biodiversity, has been living in the project community in São Tome and Principe for more than ten years and has taken some time to speak to our team.
Business Activity and Objectives
“We have 1.5 hectares of land where we have developed our business activity for more than a year. Our business, BioTech, is developed around traditional medicine: we work with medicinal plants, making various products, remedies, and aromatic teas. Our main objective is to highlight the richness of our Obô natural park, the buffer zones, and the secondary forest where we get our ingredients,” he explained.
Support from TRI/STP Funding
After having met his partner and having taken part in various eco-guiding courses, BioTech was created to conserve and value our biodiversity and make use of forest products in a sustainable manner. The BioTech project has benefited from TRI/STP funding to support bankable projects. António and his partner grabbed this opportunity to boost their business.
“The funding we received helped us take a firmer step. With this support, we were able to make a transformation center, seal all our land, make an esplanade, and plant several aromatic tea species such as ginger, humming, pepper, and cinnamon. We also have medicinal plants such as stick three, cubango, and more,” said the entrepreneur.
Expansion Plans and Future Goals
In addition to the remedies and aromatic teas, BioTech also produces leaves for bathing and dreams of building a spa. “It will be a kind of ‘massage workshop’ where people can come, see the production, have a tea, receive a massage, take a bath of medicinal plants and leaves, and come to our store and buy the teas and other products that are well packed with the proper explanations,” Antonio said.
António further explained, “The project arrived at the right time for us and allowed us to go further. It is contributing, and I am sure it will contribute more to our economy. I thank the project for the support it has given not only to us but to other entrepreneurs. I take the opportunity to encourage other companies and entrepreneurs to pursue TRI/STP opportunities.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally | – Investments in the restoration, conservation, and sustainable management of forest landscapes and farmlands in Sao Tome and Principe – Creation of a transformation center and sealing of land for sustainable use – Planting of aromatic tea species and medicinal plants |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services | – Boosting a responsible economy based on the restoration, conservation, and sustainable management of forest landscapes and farmlands – Support from TRI/STP funding to develop bankable projects for entrepreneurs |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | – Conservation and value of biodiversity through the use of forest products in a sustainable manner – Production of remedies, aromatic teas, leaves for bathing, and other well-packed products |
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Source: fao.org
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