Berry Sericulture PLC is a veteran sericulture business operator in Ethiopia and particularly around Nech Sar National Park. Berry PLC, provided by GIZ, have been providing eggs, technical support and training to the women headed sericulture operators. Berry also buys the roe and value-added products from the operators.
Berry PLC is a well-established enterprise, it has all the technical and logistical capacities to backstop and ensure a market for their products. The national park is also fully committed to the partnership with Berry PLC.
We have learnt a lesson that, if we listen to each other and come together to resolve our common challenges, we will be able to achieve results that have cross-sectoral impoacts. Protected areas management should consider livelihood aspects and local communities could be empowered to play as conservation guardians and ambassadors. Nature based solutions not only alleviate poverty but also reduce the pressure of local communities on to protected areas. Unless both poverty reduction and protection of the park are addressed together both conservation and economic development goals will not be achieved adequately.