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The Department assists local economic development projects throughout the Western Cape with funding and by providing them with expert advice, business plan development assistance and feasibility studies. In the 2002/2003 financial year the Department assisted with five projects:
HYDROPONIC FARMING IN BEAUFORT WEST A hydroponics tunnel has been set up in Beaufort West creating 14 permanent jobs for local residents. The project is a collaborative effort between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation, the Beaufort West municipality, the CSIR and the Association of Intensive Plant Production at the University of Stellenbosch. An initial provincial government investment of R2,7million made the project possible but the Beaufort West Hydroponics Company (a Section 21 (not for profit) organisation) will be required to continue without government support in the financial year 2004/2005.All profits from the company will be ploughed back into the local community or used to expand the production facilities on the site. The pilot project is expected to start making a profit in January 2004. The project grows herbs including basil, mint, dill, coriander, rocket and sorrel for local and international retailers. The first export shipment was flown to the UK in June 2003 to test the market there.
EXPANDING THE WUPPERTHAL TEA COURT The Wupperthal Tea Court was assisted in expanding its facility to increase its production capacity for rooibos tea. One hundred and seventy-one farmers from Wupperthal and surrounding communities currently participate in a program moving from wild harvesting to sustainable cultivation of rooibos for export to the world market. Growing rooibos organically is not particularly difficult and brings farmers a better price. As a result, all Wupperthal farmers are now growing rooibos organically. These small-scale farmers are producing 60-70 tons of rooibos a year.
TRAINING STAFF AT THE LIQUORICE EXTRACTION FACILITY IN DYSSELDORP The Dysselsdorp Liquorice Extraction Project is well established and employs 11 full-time and 50 part-time employees. The Department funded the initial project and has provided accredited skills development training to 11 people at the plant. Continuous mentorship and technical assistance is also provided to the Board of Directors.
ESTABLSIHING A DRIED FRUIT FACILITY IN VAN WYKSDORP The Department co-funded the establishment of a dried fruit factory in Van Wyksdorp to assist in help the local community to stimulate economic development for their region. Registering of the Section 21 Company is underway. Fivepermanent and 60 temporary jobs have been created, with 90% of the total workforce being women.
BITTERFONTEIN MEDICINAL HERBS The Department co-funded the test phase of production and marketing for the community-based medicinal herbs and plants job creation project in Bitterfontein. The University of the Western Cape conducted a land potential survey to determine both the feasibility of the project and the specific crops to be cultivated in the area. A business plan was completed and the testing period commenced in April 2003. Preliminary market research indicates keen domestic market interest. |
