Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Joy Matshoge is adamant that monetary investment set to be made in sorghum production in the province by the United States of America (USA) Bio-Processing Innovation Centre and Beijing Singling Technology Centre will contribute immensely to much needed job creation.
Matshoge addressed a meeting with representatives of both companies in Polokwane on Tuesday evening. The R940 million project encompassing the production of sugar and alternative energy source, ethanol covers both land and the plant which should be established from 15 000 hectares within a feasible radius.
She said a feasibility study on this project will be conducted by delegations from both China and the USA respectively and Bio-Processing Innovation while the Beijing Singling Technology will be among the funders underwriting the initiative.
Some of the benefits of the project will include the production of clean and renewable energy, flexibility to produce ethanol or sugar and valuable by-products, job creation and poverty reduction, huge export potential with fiscal benefits for the province, unlocking productive capacity of local communities, turning around unproductive land into productive use and manufacturing processes which can be used in an environment-friendly way without toxic discharge.
“Our province boasts an estimated 14% of the total national grain sorghum production. Last year we planted 16 000 hectares of the province’s total production output of 17 600 tons. The area planted has increased from 14 000 in 2014. The decrease in production output is attributed to the tight grip of a devastating drought plaguing both our country and province,” Matshoge said.
She also mentioned that the main production areas will be a Bela-Bela, Mookgophong, Elias Motsoaledi, Blouberg and Thabazimbi Local Municipality.
“Just like most grains, this warm-weather crop is grown in areas which are deemed too dry for maize. Moreover, its rainfall requirements of a range of 300 mm to 750 mm are suitable with those of both our country and province of our annual average of 450 mm,” Matshoge said.
Asked if the production plant won’t be affected by drought Matshoge said the versatility of the plant is well-known and it is also renowned for its resilient qualities.
Therefore, the current raging drought should not be a major cause for concern for all those keen on injecting resources into sorghum production.
Newton Baloyi, Director at E85 and representative for both firms said the objective of the two companies is to grow sweet sorghum despite recent drought issues, as the production started declining.
Also in attendance were Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Seaparo Sekoati and Capricorn District Executive Mayor Gilbert Kganyago.
Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Featured photo: Photographed during the briefing are, seated, Gilbert Kganyago, Capricorn District Executive Mayor, Joy Matshoge, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC and Seaparo Sekoati, Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC. Standing are Jerry Sello, Member of Spatial Planning Land Use and Management and Economic Development at Polokwane Municipality, Newton Baloyi, Director E85, Lyu Wei, Chairman Beijing Singling Technology Centre American Company in China, Riaz Kunwar, Director Engineering Bio-processing Innovation and Bill Ndlovu, Managing Director E85.
