NATURAL INCENSE FROM ETHIOPIA


Our mission





Since 2012, the Boswellia Project has aimed to promote the conservation of the frankincense tree Boswellia papyrifera and to increase the economic benefits it provides to Christian communities in the arid region of Tigray, in northern Ethiopia.


This conservation work is particularly important as scientific research in the area (Groenendijk et al., “Limitations to sustainable frankincense production…,” Journal of Applied Ecology, 2011) shows that forest resources are under serious threat from overly intensive resin harvesting.



Our Vision





Just as there was a Spice Trade Route, there was also an Incense Route, which connected South Arabia with the Mediterranean and flourished from around the 7th century B.C. to the 2nd century A.D.


For centuries, frankincense, the natural aromatic resin from Boswellia trees, has been used in cathedrals, churches, and monasteries around the world.


Through a unique model of sustainable production and distribution of natural incense, specifically designed for liturgical use, the Boswellia Project provides:


- higher incomes for farmers

- long-term protection of forest resources

- high-quality incense at reasonable prices for churches



Our model





The entire economic model of the Boswellia Project was developed in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, while the distribution entity operates from France.


The conservation of Boswellia trees is carried out in collaboration with students and researchers in ethnobotany and pharmacology from universities in Ethiopia and France.



40,000 Boswellia trees



40,000 Boswellia trees protected in a 1,000-acre forest.



1,000 grams



1,000 grams of natural incense resin collected annually from each tree.



125 producers



Up to 125 producers participate in the production cooperative.



150% increase in the final price



The purchase price paid to producers is 150% higher than the local market price.



Tigray Region, Ethiopia





OUR COMMITMENTS





01



Innovative



An innovative method of local production and processing of natural incense, to secure the producers' incomes and the perpetuation of know-how in Christian rural families.​



02



Collaborative



A collaboration between Ethiopian and French researchers, with the participation of local natural resin collectors in the Tigray region.



03



Sustainable



A sustainable agroforestry model on a protected area of a thousand acres, through a methodology of production and resource conservation following the recommendations of the latest scientific research: - protection of the young trees, - reduction of animal and human interference, - improve pollination by installing beehives.