Briquette factory soon operational
2009-12-07
The escalating threat of alien invasive vegetation to natural fynbos is being tackled in a brand new scheme involving the Flower Valley Conservation Trust, its Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative (ABI) partners and a company named SP Carbon. At the same time new jobs will be created, giving the local economy a badly needed boost.
Traditionally, only large pieces of wood have been removed for timber, firewood or charcoal. This initiative will make charcoal briquettes using smaller pieces which were of no value and left behind to clutter up the veld, making this a win-win for conservation and for local people who could earn extra income.
As alien invasive species take over more and more areas of natural fynbos, they affect future livelihoods of flower harvesters. Working for Water (WfW), CapeNature and municipalities have for some time been trying to find incentives for people to clear more alien plants. The answer will in all likelihood need to include a market-related incentive.
In teaming up with SP Carbon, a charcoal company operating successfully near Kareedouw and with access to a number of local and export markets, WfW and other ABI partners are establishing a similar factory for the production of briquettes. Farmers, nature reserve managers, conservancy members and residents in general will be encouraged to clear and sell the cleared material to the factory.
A feasibility study has been done to test the viability of the scheme and a grant of R2,5 million was received from the Western Cape Government's local economic development programme, PLEKPlan, to build the factory on a site outside Bredasdorp.
About 40 people will be employed at the factory, which should come into production in the first half of 2010. Many more jobs will be created around the production of the charcoal and the clearing, chipping and transporting of the cleared material to the factory.
Published in: Newsroom