Gum arabic in times of war: its impact on the forestry sector ✍️ Taha Haroun Hamed
introduction:
In times of war, agricultural and environmental industries are exposed to enormous challenges that threaten their sustainability and growth. The gum arabic industry is considered to be one of those industries that faces multiple challenges, especially with regard to the forestry sector, which provides the basic raw materials for the production of this valuable natural gum. The challenges facing the gum arabic sector in light of the wars, with emphasis on its significant impact on the forestry sector.
Challenges of the gum arabic sector:
Supply chain disruption:
In light of wars, it becomes difficult for gum arabic production companies to easily source raw materials from the production areas. Roads could be blocked and transportation disrupted, disrupting the supply chain and gum production.
Environmental degradation:
Forests are degraded by war, as trees are cut down for military purposes or to meet the needs of affected populations. This deterioration strongly affects the plants producing gum arabic and reduces its quantity and quality.
Weak infrastructure:
Gum arabic production facilities can be destroyed in wars, whether from direct bombing or damage resulting from armed conflicts. This hampers the ability to resume production after the end of the conflict.
Global demand down:
During times of war, demand for gum arabic in global markets may decrease as attention focuses on more pressing issues, such as security and the economy.
The impact of these challenges on the forestry sector:
Low production quantity:
Due to environmental degradation and logging, the production of gum arabic from forests is declining significantly, affecting the income and livelihoods of farmers and workers in this important economic and social sector.
Deterioration of biodiversity: Destruction of forests and logging leads to deterioration of biodiversity, as plant species that produce gum arabic disappear due to loss of their natural habitat.
Loss of financial resources:
Governments in production areas rely on revenues from the gum arabic industry as an important financial resource, and therefore a decrease in production results in the loss of these financial resources, increasing pressures on the environmental and economic system.
Strategies to overcome challenges:
Promoting sustainability:
Sustainable agricultural practices must be adopted to protect forests and increase the productivity of gum arabic without negatively impacting the environment.
Infrastructure development:
Investments need to be made in improving infrastructure in the gum arabic sector, including repairing damaged facilities and providing technical and engineering support.
Strengthen international cooperation:
Countries affected by wars and the gum arabic industry should work with other agricultural and forestry products
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