The Gum Arabic and Resins Association (GARA)

Gum Arabic and Resins Association (GARA) is a membership organization founded in 1996 and registered by the Registrar of Societies in Kenya in 1997 to serve the interests of the various stakeholders in addressing challenges in the gums and resins sub-sector. ....

Our Focus

To position Kenyan producer counties and partners as major global players in the production, processing and marketing of gums, resins and allied tree-based commodities from the Northern Kenyan Arid Lands.

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Who we are

Gum Arabic and Resins Association (GARA) is a membership organization founded in 1996 and registered by the Registrar of Societies in Kenya in 1997 to serve the interests of the various stakeholders in addressing challenges in the gums and resins sub-sector. With a secretariat housed at the Kenya Forestry Research Institute, Karura. GARA has individual members drawn from the gums and resins belt of Kenya and corporate members from associated companies and government agencies offering various services to the sub-sector such as Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority (ENDDA), etc. Upon its registration in 1997, GARA has been fronting critical issues affecting the gums and resins sub-sector in the country.

Our Vision

A lead organization in promoting sustainable development of gums and resins.

Our Mission

To contribute to improved livelihoods of Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASAL) communities and members by promoting quality control, fair trade and sustainable use of gums, resins and allied natural resources.

Core Values

GARA uphold the following core values:

  1. Quality.
  2. Fair trade.
  3. Professionalism.
  4. Sustainable resource exploitation.
  5. Integrity.
  6. Accountability.
  7. Partnerships and linkages.

key Objectives

  • To promote sustainable development of gums, resins and allied products through capacity building, policy advocacy and fostering partnerships.
  • To link collectors and buyers of gums and resins to relevant organizations for with local and international markets.
  • To forge linkages with organizations, institutions and/or bodies with similar interests and especially those dealing with poverty alleviation including food security and environmental conservation.
  • To promote professionalism and transparency in management systems along the value chain.
  • To establish guidelines and compliance on quality control and certification of the commodities.
  • To be a self-sustaining financially and operationally and able to meet statutory obligations and expectations of members.
  • To adopt any other objective in the interest of the Association and members and approved by at least two thirds of the members during a general meeting.
  • To operate as a non-political Association.

Our
Partners

partners
partners
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