Essential oils
The West Coast District Municipality (WCDM) is seeking investment in an Essential Oils Plants Cultivation Project in the Piketberg area of the Bergrivier local municipality. The area has been identified as the ideal environment for the cultivation of these plants, and a business plan has been prepared. Already the region is supporting some successful small enterprises in buchu production and essential oils processing. An amount of R250 000 has been requested from the District, and additional investment of R300 000 is called for from interested parties to fund the venture properly, so as to ensure a sustainable and profitable business operation.
Potential uses for buchu products:
Buchu is a diverse, unobtrusive natural product, with many remedial uses. In today's health and organically conscious markets, buchu products are proving popular locally and internationally.
While the Bergrivier Local Municipality has been identified as the location for this particular project, the are several other locations in other regions of the West Coast District that are equally suitable for production.
Bergrivier ∙ Cederberg ∙ Matzikama ∙ Saldanha Bay ∙ Swartland
Essential background
The essential oils industry is well-established in South Africa. Organic production, which is on the increase in SA, is viewed as a high-value and niche product in international markets. In the WCDM the Women's Buchu Cultivation Group project has been successfully growing buchu for seven years. The project currently has 1.5 hectares under drip irrigation and develops its own bottled buchu water. They plan to expand their operations and acquire a small distilling unit on site.
Essential location
The Bergrivier site is located at Goedverwacht and is about 40 hectares in size. The land is leased from the Church
Authority. Other sites have been evaluated elsewhere in the district.
Essential benefit
The project will create employment specifically for women, and will encourage emerging farmers in the region to participate in skills and knowledge transfer, as well as driving the local economy in the rural communities within the municipality.
For more information on the West Coast District Municipality and the opportunities available please contact Mr Marthinus Boois by email on mboois@wcdm.co.za or by tel: +27 22 433 8530.
