What to do with all those cut down alien plants?
Karin Theron, University of Stellenbosch
Saving water and providing jobs by removing alien invasive vegetation is one
thing. But what to do with all those mounts of vegetation afterwards is another
ball game. To ensure that maximum value in terms of economic, social and
environmental benefits is derived, Working for Water has contracted private
consultants to develop a clear strategy on this.
The Working for Water Programme was
started five years ago under the auspices of the Department of Water Affairs and
Forestry to clear alien invasive plants and at the same time create jobs for the
poorest of the poor.
More than R1 billion has been invested in the programme since its inception
and approximately 20 000 people have been employed in more than 300 clearing
projects throughout the country. However, studies by independent consultants
showed that R25 million can be generated per year from 2005/6 onwards if public
private partnerships can be incorporated and managed efficiently to manufacture
and market products from the alien plant material.
A private consulting team has just handed over their final analysis report on
developing a strategy and range of options for Working for Water to adopt in
relation to the future development and expansion of secondary industries in the
private sector. This team consists of the University of Stellenbosch's Wood
Science Department, KPMG and Edward Nathan & Friedland corporate law
advisors and consultants.
The Secondary Industries Unit of Working for Water undertakes and supports
efforts to manufacture products from the wood and plant material being cleared.
Among the products currently manufactured are indoor and garden furnishings,
charcoal and firewood. In the restoration of the natural ecosystem by clearing
the alien vegetation and replacing it with indigenous species, there is further
potential for eco-tourism ventures.
According to the consultants it is essential that the whole tree is utilised
to ensure the maximum value in terms of economic, social and environmental
benefits. This implies in practical terms that harvesting must include a log and
other plant material sorting phase that would enable the selection of additional
saleable material such as saw and veneer logs, leaf material and bark.
Market information indicates that there is an immediate annual demand for 100
000 tons of woodchips from Acacia species such as Rooikrans, Port Jackson,
Long-leave Wattle and Black Wattle while there is a demand for 45 000 tons of
charcoal from Acacia wood per year. In both cases private partnership is ideal
and together these manufacturing industries has a potential net income of R25
million per year. Additional job opportunities are expected to be close to 300.
The consultants also pointed out that, concerning both woodchips and charcoal
there is a need to immediately continue negotiations with interested private
companies to initiate these projects whereas the manufacturing of organic
fertiliser from the leaves and berries from the Syringa tree is very much in a
development phase. Given the labour-intensive processes associated with this
product, the potential job opportunities would be much larger than for the
woodchips and charcoal manufacturing industries.
After visiting some existing projects, the consultants recommended that a
programme of assistance to the Secondary Industries Unit needs to be established
which could provide training and mentorship as well as a revolving credit
facility which could assist in raising capital.
|
