We have chosen KaZa Natural Oils as our new supplier, while preserving our core values of quality,
ethics, and respect for people and the environment
KaZa Natural Oils, a division of B’Ayoba (Pvt) Ltd, is a private company working to sustainably harvest, process indigenous plant products into cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food ingredients. Whilst commercialising these products the company provides alternative income generating opportunities for rural communities who supply raw materials. Wild plant ingredients are processed into various products and widely distributed by the KaZa directly to customers or through agent and distributors.
KaZa Natural Oils was set up to harvest and process wild harvested natural products. It is the general objective of this company to contribute to community development throughout Zimbabwe by generating alternative production activities, employment opportunities and improved living conditions of the harvesting communities. This is to be achieved within a framework that protects and manages all production in an ecologically sound manner.
KaZa works with rural farmers in the districts of Binga, Hwange, Lupane, Matobo, Plumtree, Kwekwe, Mutoko, Mudzi, Rushinga, Chipinge, Chimanimani, Mwenezi, Chivi, Beitbridge, Masvingo, Chiredzi and Mberengwa covering an estimated 11000 hectares of forest area all throughout Zimbabwe.
There are a total of 4437 farmers actively involved in harvesting and selling of fruit, seeds, nuts and plant material to KaZa and these consist of 22% men and 78% women. These farmers are organized into groups (clusters) around their villages. These groups are trained by KaZa in sustainable harvesting of plants parts, pre- processing of the plant products and quality management up to the finished product that they offer to KaZa.
The farmers harvest various fruit products throughout the year. The fruit is processed into pulp and seed. Some fruit pulp eg marula, Kalahari melon and baobab is used for food and drink by the farmers in some cases. Seed that remains after pulp extraction is processed further into kernels (nuts) which are sold and transported to Harare to the main KaZa factory where it is processed into oil and press cake as a by-product. Press cake is used as animal feed. Farmers receive cash for the kernels and seeds that they supply to KaZa.
Certification
KaZa has achieved organic certification for all its products. KaZa also has Fair Wild Certification, however it is only on the Baobab. Principles of Fair Wild are however applied on all products and the suppliers.
