KARATARA NEWS - An initiative that could see more than 100 jobs created, the Karatara Biomass pilot project, is part of a province-wide drive to establish a biomass programme.

According to a press release by member of the Western Cape parliament (MPP) and DA Western Cape spokesperson on Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Andricus van der Westhuizen, enquiries by the department's standing committee showed that the Western Cape can benefit from almost R400-million in revenue through a potential biomass programme.

The project would be producing biochar, activated carbon and wood vinegar (BAW) from alien vegetation clearing.

This will provide an environment conducive to increased job opportunities as the province primes itself for a green economic future. In a world in which water scarcity is increasingly prevalent, the clearing of alien vegetation has become an absolute priority.

To put this into perspective, it is estimated that for every ton of alien plant cleared, about 8 600 litres of water is unlocked.

This additional water can then be used to meet the increasing need for potable water and for further agricultural development, while also mitigating the risk of floods, wildfires and reduced water quality.

Van der Westhuizen says the end products of the Biomass Programme have the following uses:

• Biochar: the restoration of pastures; animal feed; treatment of municipal waste water and storm water; low-nitrogen fertilisers.
• Activated carbon: mining sludge treatment; water filtration and purification; agri-processing; cosmetics; food and beverages.
• Wood vinegar: soil enrichment and the enhancement of organic soil carbon; natural pesticide for certain organisms; anti-fungal and antibacterial treatments; animal feed for weanling pigs.

"The Karatara Biomass pilot project can provide 110 direct jobs during the course of its life cycle," said Van der Westhuizen. 

"Once the pilot project is proven to be economically feasible, the project can be expanded to a large-scale operation. In total, the costing and financing model suggests that R60-million investment would be required, of which the province would have to contribute only R10-million. 

"Over five years, the combined income from these three end products is expected to be R394 698 764. Owing to the immense job creation potential, the standing committee resolved to conduct oversight visits to the Karatara Catchment Project as well as the Restore Eden Programme along the Garden Route, which also promise great potential. 

"As our society approaches a future of renewable energy and eco-friendly solutions, this programme supplies the province with the opportunity to both protect the environment and create much-needed jobs for generations to come."

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