The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, today announced a multimillion rose geranium cultivation and distillation project in KwaNobuhle to benefit the community near Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.
Minister Hanekom was joined by European Union ambassador Roeland van de Geer, and representatives from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Minister Hanekom said the project, as implemented by the CSIR Enterprise Creation for Development unit, provided a practical way to plan for, and build, an integrated initiative.
“At its heart is building a community through a land development process and has created a platform for various types of farming activities to take place in one peri-urban area outside of the motor manufacturing centre of Uitenhage,” said the Minister.
Ambassador Van De Geer congratulated Minister Hanekom and noted "We are particularly proud of our partnership with the Department of Science and Technology. On this Innovation for Poverty Alleviation Programme alone we have over a dozen collaborations and I believe that together we are making a real and positive difference to people's lives."
CSIR’s Dr MarthinusHorak, Manager for Essential Oils and Medicinal Plants, said: ‘The Rose geranium project at Uitenhage has consistently produced oil of above-average quality, which demonstrates the value of transferring modern agro-processing technology and farming skills to community farmers. The project is nearing the stage where it can be transformed into a fully-integrated, sustainable business in favour of the local community’.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has partnered with the CSIR to help and work with farmers in disadvantaged communities to fight poverty, and create wealth and job opportunities.
For the period 2008-13 the EU provided sector budget support (SBS) to the DST through a €30 million Innovation for Poverty Alleviation Programme. Support has been channelled into a range of poverty alleviation initiatives that harness research and innovation to help improve peoples' lives. Additional assistance for today's events was made possible by the EU-funded Dialogue Facility.
The project is unique for having some sector-specific agro-processing infrastructure investments. The essential oil processing facility at the project also has sufficient capacity to process essential oil plants from nearby farms and is expected to act as a catalyst for other agricultural initiatives.
Background
Rose geranium is an essential oil crop with a high market demand. The oil is used to manufacture fragrances, flavours, cosmetics and household products. It is also used in aromatherapy.
The plants are harvested, the oil distilled and sent to the central processing facility in Pretoria at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)for further refinement and quality testing, before it can be sold locally and internationally.
For more information please contact:
Frank Oberholzer
European Union
Tel: 012 452 5261
E-mail: Frank.Oberholzer@eeas.europa.eu
Tommy Makhode
Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 082 379 8268
E-mail: tommy.makhode@dst.gov.za
