Macadamia operation to benefit rural communities
Thirty thousand jobs are expected to be created when the operation reaches its optimal scale of having planted close to six million trees on 30 000 hectares of land in this area
THREE communities are set to benefit economically from the establishment of the macadamia nuts operation in uMhlabuyalingana.
The project, spearheaded by the Tembe, Mabaso and Mbila Traditional Authorities in uMkhanyakude District has been tipped to become the largest macadamia operation in South Africa.
Thirty thousand jobs are expected to be created when the operation reaches its optimal scale of having planted close to six million trees on 30 000 hectares of land in this area.
This was outlined by KZN Premier Willies Mchunu during his State of the Province address on Wednesday.
‘The aim of this project is to replace the current unviable plantations in this area gradually and in a phased approach, with macadamia trees.
‘Taking into account that macadamia trees require a fraction of the water currently used by the timber operation, this will also assist in restoring the environmental integrity of this area,’ Mchunu said.
The three communities will own a significant majority share in the company and manage the implementation of this programme.
A primary nursery is already being established,with the first 1 900 trees already delivered and a further 35 000 trees already on order.
The KZN government has committed R20-million for the necessary training facilities, as well as essential irrigation and fencing infrastructure.
‘Approaches have now been made to the secure funding, both grant and loan funding from other government and private sector sources as well as from potential investors.
‘We are pleased with the interest the Land Bank has shown in this project and we trust that funding agreements with them will soon be finalised.
‘Trade and Investment KZN has also offered its support with the marketing and investment support to this project,’ Mchunu said.
He said such projects will empower communities to become participants in the mainstream economy.
‘This model of experienced farmers, working in close collaboration with traditional communities to establish viable and shared economic development opportunities, is what we encourage throughout the rest of our province.’
According to the Southern African Macadamia Growers’ Association (SAMAC), Mpumalanga remains the major production region in South Africa, still with the highest growth rate.
‘The north coast of KwaZulu-Natal has responded to their appetite for macadamias and new plantings in this province is increasing substantially. In terms of hectares of macadamias established, KZN is now the second largest province,’ the association said.
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