In 2002, Atlantic Gums Corporation worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop the gum acacia resources in Northern Nigeria through direct intervention in the organization of the industry in the region (from the nurseries to harvesting and trading) and training.
At Atlantic Gums Corporation, we are dedicated to sustaining and expanding access to the gum acacia industry for African communities that grow the crop. We have managed programs that aim to create employment and achieve a higher standard of living for the people in the gum acacia producing regions of Africa.
Gum acacia is a direct source of income for thousands of rural families that are very close to poverty. In most of the region, gum acacia cleaning provides the only employment opportunity available for women. It is also one of the few export crops from these growing countries and as such is an important source of foreign currency (Dollars and/or Euros) that is vitally needed to support sustainable development in these developing countries where it is produced.
Over the last 5 years, Atlantic Gums Corporation has played a significant part in capacity building projects in Africa that seek to expand the available crop while training the indigenous peoples in sivicultural, harvesting, handling and trading techniques.
Since 2003, Atlantic Gums Corporation has worked with the American Soft Drinks Association and the Government of Uganda to develop the gum Arabic resources in the Karamoja region of Uganda. This is an ongoing project and Atlantic Gums Corporation is proud to be a stakeholder in this project.