Organic September 2024 – Community

Organic September – Community

ProTec Botanica is proud to be a Soil Association licensee, and our Organic Certification reflects our commitment to compliance of the criteria of those Organic Standards. As we celebrate Organic September, this week’s focus is on community. Community is at the core of ProTec Botanica’s success, built through strong networks with our global partners at source; be it smallholders, farmers or co-operatives. This collective effort promotes quality, sustainability, social responsibility and ethical practices and ensures that everyone at source has a voice and contributes to a shared success. We are committed to bringing an exciting portfolio of natural aromatic and botanical ingredients to international markets and it is our responsibility in establishing and maintaining a critical link in the supply chain, ensuring our efforts have a positive impact on society and the environment and this is benefitted in all communities.

The livelihoods of many at origin may be dependent upon the success of the raw material as few income options exist, increased production benefits the local rural communities and, with the increased demand, an expansion in the community network follows. The best way to preserve the environment is by keeping a community there. Encouraging the community to remain in the countryside, besides valuing a wealth of the local ecological heritage, contributes to its preservation. Care begins here, because it is where the community sustains itself. As we celebrate Organic September, we wish to highlight the importance of communities in driving positive change and in leading a sustainable supply chain management. Let us make this journey together, from grower to end user.

One of the key products we are highlighting during Organic September is floviva Frankincense Oil (B. neglecta). Sourced from the wild-growing Boswellia neglecta tree in Kenya, this resin is sustainably harvested by the Samburu Women’s Trust, an indigenous community. Their role in collecting the resin not only supports local livelihoods but also preserves traditional, eco-friendly harvesting methods​

Discover more about Frankincense Oil (B. neglecta) below in our PDF

PDF: Frankincense Oil (B. neglecta)

The second initiative we’re highlighting is the EcoProducts Foundation, which runs non-profit projects in areas where baobab fruit is harvested. Along with purchasing fruit directly from rural harvesters, the Foundation supports pre-school education, baobab tree cultivation, research, and community engagement. Operating in the Venda communities of North-East South Africa, the Foundation focuses on two main approaches.

Discover more about EcoProducts Foundation below.

Eco Products Foundation