Creating decent work, a skilled labour force and generating new knowledge is at the heart of the heart of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) Hi-Hanyile essential Oils and Medicinal Plant Project.
Today, the Hi-Hanyile Project received much-needed agricultural equipment valued at R1 million, promised by Minister Naledi Pandor during an imbizo in Giyani two months ago to help expand the biosciences research initiative and grow the business.
The equipment handed over include a Massey Ferguson tractor, a six-ton four-wheel trailer, a 1.5m Slasher, a three-row furrow maker, a Massey Ferguson three-disc plough and a 1.5m Kvernel and Rotavator. It will assist the project to expand further, creating more jobs especially for young people in the area.
The Hi-hanyile Essential Oils project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Scientists and traditional healers are collaborating in studies on indigenous plants which have led to the development of mosquito repellent candles. The candles are much more effective than similar commercial products on the market.
The project was initially established as a Rose Geranium essential oil pilot in 2000 and in 2004 another crop was introduced - Lippia javanica - an indigenous plant that is traditionally used to repel mosquitoes. Collaborative research between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and traditional healers led to the extraction of the active chemical component of the plant.
The Department's Deputy Director-General for Technology Innovation, Mr Mmboneni Muofhe, said the project was one of the Department's interventions that could contribute decent employment, like a skilled and capable workforce, and vibrant rural communities as part of ggovernment's efforts to address unemployment, inequity and poverty.
"Government is revitalising agriculture by developing, promoting and creating market access for small and medium enterprises and cooperatives in the agricultural sector. Critical in this area is encouraging upstream agro-processing activities by rural producers, like the mosquito-repellent products made by Hi-Hanyile. This initiative has the potential to create work opportunities for young people, many of whom currently have no share in the benefits of economic growth and development."
To support the project-to-business transition, the DST engaged the Department of Trade and Industry-affiliated SA Essential Oils Business Incubator to assist Hi-Hanyile to transition into a business through their incubation services, essential oil production, quality assurance skills and services, and market linkages.
The DST also commissioned agricultural economists (Datacomb Consulting) to develop a business plan to enable the project to access other sources of funding which includes a business model that capitalises on existing and future initiatives, and identifies potential sources of revenue, products, customers and partners, and an investment memorandum or prospectus.
Local chief, Hosi Ngove said the Hi-Hanyile Project was a dream come true, since it was creating job and skills, especially for the local youth who were being given a lifetime opportunity to develop themselves. He made an example of 28-year-old Thembani Sithole who now works on the project as a boiler maker for two years now, after not having had a formal job before.
"This is also an opportunity to partner with the local Giyani Science Centre where a laboratory can be established here on these premises to do more on the Hi Hanyile Project," said the Chief, announcing an additional 100ha of the land for further development.
Site Manager, Ms Petra Terblanche welcomed the new equipment, saying they could now do real farming for themselves. Before, they had to hire equipment for up to three days at a cost if R6000 at a time to plough the land. "With the new equipment we will be able to farm more and produce more which will translate into more resources for the project. This is a dream come true."
Enquiries:
Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 082 882 3818
