KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
iLembe District Municipality
Sector
Biotechnology
The biodiesel industry appears to be gaining traction in South Africa with various projects cropping up across the country, particularly in light of last year’s spike in oil prices.
While the price of a barrel of crude may have come down now, the likelihood of another spike is never far from people’s thoughts – hence the need to continue the search for alternative fuels.
One region in South Africa that is prioritising the biofuels and biodiesel industry is the iLembe District Municipality, which also stands to benefit from the establishment of the nearby Dube Trade Port in Durban.
Establishing a Biodiesel Nursery
This opportunity involves the construction and establishment of a nursery for the germination of 800,000 palm nut seeds which are to be made available to growers for the cultivation of palm nuts which are to be used in the production of bio-diesel.
The aim of the project is to make sufficient seedlings available to farmers for the production of palm nuts which are to be used in the processing of bio-diesel and so reduce the country’s dependence on the ever decreasing supply of mineral diesel.
The purpose is to promote local economic development and establish secondary industries through farming with palm nuts and the establishment of a bio diesel processing plant. The construction of the diesel processing plant is the third phase of the project.
A Biodiesel Out Growers programme
This opportunity links into a programme whereby farmers with access to small plots of land are able to participate in a District-wide programme by planting and supplying raw coconut / palm oil nuts to a centralized biodiesel manufacturing plant.
They are to be engaged with, their participation contracted and through that they are ensured a fair price for the products for a period of at least 10 years, with a strong likelihood of the contract renewal.
The Biodiesel Out Growers Programme is housed within the agricultural sector and has a strong bias towards community-based participation in the planning, partner identification and growing methodology of selected plants for the supply of raw materials to a biodiesel manufacturing plant.
This programme will be supplementary to the construction of the biodiesel plant in the District, with its secured markets as well as the establishment of the palm nursery within the district by the applicant to supply the growers."
For more information on biofuels opportunities and other agricultural opportunities please contact the iLembe District Municipality directly:
Contact: Mike Newton
Email: Mike.Newton@ilembe.gov.za
Tel: +27 32 437 9512
