Empowering Sustainable Hide Curing and Leatherworks Hide Curing and Secondary Leatherworks

Turning hides into leather to enrich communities

The technology "Hide Curing and Secondary Leatherworks" emphasizes the importance of properly treating animal hides for maximum value. Hides, after meat, are the next most valuable product from livestock. They can be processed into various products like shoes, handbags, and clothing, provided skilled artisans and appropriate materials are available.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive high
Women: Positive high

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts really well
Biodiversity: It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint: It reduces emissions a lot
Environment: It makes a big difference
Water usage: It uses a lot less water

Problem

Value Loss from Untreated Hides: Without proper treatment, hides, which are highly valuable, may be discarded or used as food along with the carcass.
Lack of Skilled Artisans: Processing hides requires specific skills and materials. The shortage of skilled artisans hinders the realization of hide value.
Limited Economic Opportunities in Local Communities: Communities with access to hides may lack the means to process them, missing out on potential economic benefits.
Inefficient Processing Methods: Without effective curing and tanning methods, hides may not be preserved optimally, resulting in lower-quality products.
Market Access and Diversification: Limited access to markets and a narrow range of leather products can restrict the economic potential of the industry.
Untapped Potential for Entrepreneurs: Young entrepreneurs may not have the means or knowledge to enter the leather industry, missing out on income-generating opportunities.

Solution

Treat hides properly by cleaning, drying, and using special methods. This makes sure they're not wasted and can be used to make valuable products like bags and shoes.
Teach people the skills needed to work with hides. Provide them with the right tools and materials so they can process hides effectively.
Help local communities set up small businesses to process hides. This way, they can make products and sell them for profit.
Use better ways to cure and tan hides. This keeps them in good condition and results in higher-quality products.
Help connect people who process hides to markets where they can sell their products. Encourage them to make a variety of leather items, not just one kind.

Key points to design your project

Hide curing and secondary leatherworks technology plays a pivotal role in maximizing the value of livestock production beyond meat. By properly treating animal hides, communities can create valuable leather products like shoes, handbags, and clothing.

There is growing demand for leather products in Africa, and much of this may be met by young entrepreneurs relying upon local materials. Business plans and financial analyses are available for operations of different sizes.

To integrate this technology effectively:

Understand the process: Learn the techniques involved in hide curing and secondary leatherworks, including cleaning, drying, and tanning, to ensure the hides are not wasted and can be transformed into valuable products.
Invest in skills and materials: Provide training to artisans on working with hides and ensure they have access to the right tools and materials for effective processing.
Establish local businesses: Help local communities set up small businesses focused on processing hides, enabling them to create products and generate profit.

By following these steps, communities can maximize the value of their livestock production through hide curing and secondary leatherworks, creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainability.

1,000 USD

Investment cost

ROI: $$$ 100 %

IP

Open source / open access

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–Not tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–Not tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–Not tested	Adopted
Niger	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–Not tested	Adopted
Senegal	–Not tested	Adopted
South Sudan	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–Not tested	Adopted
Zimbabwe	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid	–	–
Subhumid
Humid	–	–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 6: clean water and sanitation

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 11: sustainable cities and communities

Goal 13: climate action

Cleaning Hides: Start by making sure the hides are clean and free from any extra bits.
Drying Process: Use special methods to make the hides dry, which can take a bit of time depending on the weather.
Turning into Leather: After the drying process, the hides are transformed into high-quality leather.
Making Valuable Products: This leather can then be used to create valuable items like bags, shoes, and clothing.

Last updated on 22 May 2024