OUR SUCCESS STORY
Nagaad Resins and Gums (Nagaad Gums) began in the late 1940s as a family business in rural Somalia. It was based on naturally and sustainably harvesting resins and gums from various tree species; as a means of adding value to the communities while conserving the environment and providing a steady source of income. With harvesting taking place across the country, the business progressed considerably until the late 1980s.
Unfortunately, the business had to be put on hold in the early 1990s. The primary reason was the advent of the civil war in Somalia, as it was no longer safe to travel and source for resins and gums. However, after more than two decades, Nagaad Gums re-opened for business in 2015. The Company is now a true Social Enterprise with the advancement of their communities as their priority: a business that “works with the communities and for the communities”.
This re-opening was under the strict guidance of the founders, from whom the next generation received the mantle. With further research, state-of-the-art production facilities, and developed distribution channels, the new Nagaad Gums and Resins is a community-based business that largely includes numerous East African communities.
A lot of resources were channelled into developing community initiatives and educating the people on the disadvantages of uncontrolled logging of these precious trees.
The company endeavoured to explain that the trees much more valuable standing than being cut. However, this was a bit tasking as they were able to identify about twenty-two (22) ways the trees are used by these communities, asides from harvesting gum and resin.
A few changes have been made…
Nagaad Gums continually evolves with the ever-changing dynamics in the Region. This is done by re-engineering the Management Team, acquiring modern top-quality processing facilities, and developing a unique ‘essential oils and cosmetics’ processing factory.
What is behind Nagaad Products?
Also, they review their distribution channels consistently by decentralising it while updating their knowledge from this sector. In addition to this, Community partnership is integral part of a long-term business continuation and harvesting sustainable way. We have also formed Joint research & development Programs with National and International industry Professionals.
Our Strong Business Background: As the name suggests, Nagaad Resins and Gums deals with natural resins and gums, which are found as exudes from the woody parts (like the stems) of some plants or their seed coatings. The name ‘Nagaad’ is derived from family nickname ‘resilience’ and ‘tolerance’. It represents the resilience to find tranquillity in the midst of hardships, whether from drought or hostile weather and unforgiving dangerous wild predators, i.e., the challenges that our founding ancestors contended, which forced them into a nomadic lifestyle to take care of basic needs for themselves and their livestock. Nagaad also describes the trees and plants from which the resins and gums are derived. This is because they find a way to grow and even thrive in the harsh savannah and the Arid areas. During the times of the founding ancestors, there were no modern, health facilities, and most communities depended on traditional medicines to treat many ailments.
Natural resins and gums were, and still are, an important source of these traditional medicines. Despite the increased availability of modern treatments, traditional medicines (like using resins and gums) remain important in society for treating ailments in both people and livestock. The Nagaad Gums natural products have a wide range of applications and could be used for different purposes such; medicinal, cosmetics & perfumery, preservative, paints etc., and other many purposes for industrial uses. Nagaad Resins and Gums (Nagaad Gums) is an authentic Social Enterprise business that “works with the communities and for the communities”.
OUR BUSINESS MODEL
With its ‘one-for-all’ business model, Nagaad Gums and Resins has successfully become a modern Organic certified Social Enterprise that gives
back to the communities it interacts with. The major role the Nagaad team plays is assisting communities in building a resilient future while safeguarding their environment sustainably. The fact that the team works tirelessly to meet the needs and expectations of the communities and clients is a testament to that.
Asides from the fact that Nagaad Gums and Resins aims at working ‘with the community and for the community, it is a pioneer and still the only company in the Eastern African region to handle and sourcing process 100% Wildly and naturally crafted gum & resin products.
Working with communities: The Nagaad works along with the communities as they possess the greatest knowledge regarding the harvesting and handling of resins and gums.
Working for the communities: These communities are the real producers, and they also benefit from the products. Nagaad Company fifth generation team have developed a sound business model that is based on the ancient skills learned from our ancestors. The laboratory equipment installed in the Nagaad facilities are GC/MS, FID and is uniquely designed to suit the processing of 100% pure essential oils and its allied products. Steam, hydro, and combined steam distillation are the methods used to provide top-quality essential oil.
The efficiency and flexibility of Nagaad Gums & Resins plant facilities are sophisticated and satisfy its customers. We also find ways to blend these skills with modern technologies to provide products of optimum value and quality. Transparency plays a huge role in this because all Nagaad resins and gums (raw or processed) can be traced from harvesting up to the finished product stage.
Many communities form a wide network of partnerships that help with the harvest and supply of gums and resins of the company. This has become a profitable source of income for many members of the community. Due to this, Nagaad Gums and Resins is keen on educating communities and disseminating information supporting Environmental sustainability.
Thus should continually improve the quality of life of the people regardless of how bad/tight the economy is. As result of that, Nagaad Company has obtained International Organic and standard certifications, and is a member of the National and International bodies. Nagaad is licensed for gum and Resin collection in East African Regions.
Centralised operations are run by a processing factory in Kenya, UAE and UK. The quality of the products is tested and analysed by new-age technologies equipped with EU-accredited laboratory facilities. Eventually, there is a standard to meet and hopefully surpass.
Our Vision: Build a global brand with its roots in Eastern Africa.
Our Mission: Working with the communities and for the communities and in an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to make Eastern Africa a leading producer and exporter of the end products of naturally crafted resins and gums.
Our Objectives
- Work with the communities and for the communities
- Sustainable harvesting of resins and gums
- Protection of the environment
- Transparency
- Fair trade
- Equality
Our Core Values
- Build community support and networks.
- Ensure sustainable harvesting of resins and gums.
- Use ancient techniques for harvesting resins and gums and the latest processing technologies for the final commodities.
- Produce a broad range of high-quality resin and gum products for local and international markets.
- Exceed customers’ expectations for resin and gum products
- Support the Green Belt movement through the proactive planting of trees in heavily deforested areas.
- Promote and support renewable energies in communities
Protecting Our Precious Natural Environment
About half of the world’s forests are gone as a result of Deforestation, and only 20% of the remaining forests are considered to be “intact”.
Sadly, Deforestation has greatly affected the Savannah and Arid regions of Eastern Africa. Due to constant logging and unchecked charcoal trade, these regions have been overly exploited, devastated, and deforested. The forests are responsible for the following: soil enrichment, Desertification Prevention, Soil Stabilization, Feed for both livestock and wildlife, Maintenance of Agricultural Elements and Conditions, Source of Income, and Provision of Shade and Shelter to members of the Communities.
The vision holders of Nagaad Gums are passionate about Environmental Preservation through sustainable harvesting from trees and forests in Eastern Africa. As a result of this, they are proactively providing a better, more viable alternative to the logging and charcoal trade, which is, obtaining gums and resins from these trees using sustainable harvesting methods. Equipped with relevant information, The Nagaad Team consistently reaches out to local administrative units and local government bodies as an initiative to create awareness on the importance of tree and forest conservation.