Marula plant for rural communitites
The marula processing plant should be fully operational by the next harvest
GIVING the people of uMhlabuyalingana, in the far north of uMkhanyakude District, the opportunity to participate in the agricultural economy was realised this weekend when a marula processing plant was officially opened in the KwaNgwanase area.
The first of its kind in the province, and recognised as a ‘beacon for community development’, the processing plant was opened by KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development Cyril Xaba, MEC for Tourism, Economic Development and Environmental Affairs Mike Mabuyakhulu and Nkosi Mabhudu Tembe of the Tembe Traditional Council at the annual uMthayi Marula Festival.
The project has been in the pipeline since 2012 when the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) set about building a structure that would see the people of uMhlabuyalingana maximising the output of their natural resources, particularly the marula.
The R30-million processing plant will be used for the production of marula jam and essential oils.
Once fully operational, the plant will create 50 direct jobs.
Currently, 49 areas have been identified to supply stock. Equipped with a generator, the plant is yet to be connected to the electricity grid but should be fully operational before the next harvest.
Speaking at the opening, Xaba said, ‘Agriculture becoming a science and a business is integral in our new strategy and such a structure realises our goal. A lot of by products will come out of this plant which will enhance the value chain, create more jobs and participation in the agricultural economy by the people of uMkhanyakude.’
Nkosi Tembe said, ‘The dreams of the people of uMkhanyakude are being realised a step at a time which allows the communities to grow. Today we see factories coming to our communities and, for this, my people and I will be eternally grateful.’
