26.09.2022. When you choose Interholco’s FSC®- certified products (Forest Stewardship Council®, FSC® C022952), you’re helping to take care of forests for future generations. Forest ecosystem services – such as the maintenance of biodiversity, climate regulation, water and soil quality, and pollination – are essential for sustainable agrifood systems and feeding a growing global population.
In addition, more than three-quarters of rural households worldwide are estimated to harvest wild foods from forests and other environments.
In the Ngombé Forest that INTERHOLCO manages through its subsidiary IFO, in the North of Congo, all land needed for local food production and supply is made available to the local and indigenous population without restriction (Community Development Series / SDC in French).
50,000 hectares are currently reserved for indigenous peoples living in 80 villages hosting 6,000 inhabitants. Extension of community development areas is legally possible and provided for. The agreement of the public authorities is required. That is important, in order to avoid that indiscriminate logging or conversion into agricultural land lead to uncontrolled deforestation.
© Interholco
The Ngombé forest has a rich and varied natural capital which is not only its pride, but also a key to the food security and pharmacopoeia of the 6,000 inhabitants of the surrounding communities. Pycnoporus sanguineus is one of the fungi that are widely spread across the floor of the Ngombé forest. A total of 126 medicinal properties are attributed to fungi from the Congo Basin, including anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-tumour, immunomodulating, antiviral, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic effects.
Since it is not easy to transport animal-based products through tropical rainforests and it is important not to deplete local hunting resources, INTERHOLCO supports the local production of fish and meat. Sufficient land and facilities are made available to the Indigenous Peoples and local population for food production. The medical centre that is financed and equipped by INTERHOLCO monitors the nutritional status of the local population in order to recognise signs of malnutrition at an early stage.
Choose Forests. Choose FSC.
#FSCForestWeek #ForestsForAllForever
INTERHOLCO offers Sustainable Hardwood 'Made in Africa' as a responsible solution to promote better living conditions (construction with wood), reduce climate change, and increase social justice. As FSC-certified producer specialized in producing and trading logs, sawn timber, glued laminated scantlings and other products, INTERHOLCO manages the entire chain, from forest to customers since 1962. Harvesting wood selectively, INTERHOLCO protects 1.1 million hectares of natural forest from permanent conversion to agricultural land, giving 16’000 local inhabitants access to quality basic services and keeping the habitat of thousands of gorillas and elephants.
Communications contact INTERHOLCO
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Neuhofstr. 25, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.