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Olive tree production in the pipeline
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Agriculture

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 MEDIA RELEASE
 13 MAY 1997
 IMMEDIATE
 OLIVE TREE PRODUCTION IN THE PIPELINE

The Eastern Cape economy got a major boost, after a study conducted by the department of Agriculture and Land Affairs revealed an excellent 
potential for olive tree production in the province.

The MEC for Agriculture and Land Affairs Mr Max Mamase commissioned Agri-Consulting and the department to do a feasibility study on 
possibilities of growing olive tree in the province for business purposes and the final report show an excellent opportunity for olive tree 
production.

To ensure that this venture is a sustainable business venture, it has been decided that we must have a first phase which would be a trial 
period.

This trial period will be conducted on 10 hectares of land with 6 hectares being traditional olive tree plantations around rural villages 
and 3 hectares of irrigated olive tree plantation with 416 plants per hectare.

1 hectare of modern olive tree plantation under irrigation also will have a carrying capacity of 800 plants per hectare.

Areas that have been identified for these traditional and modern olive tree trials are Binfield area in Alice and an area still to be 
confirmed in Keiskamahoek.

The department will depend on its Geographic Information System to provide information on the soil types conducive for growing these olive 
trees.

Olive tree is more comfortable to growing in areas where soil type is suitable for citrus fruit, hence we have chosen Alice for the pilot 
project because of having the soil type conducive for citrus farming.

We are still busy collecting the other necessary data in relation to this project and more technical information that will include the 
number of jobs to be crated and the contribution of this project to the Gross Geographic Product of the province is to be released as time 
goes on.

Olive tree with its potential for producing essential oils that are so much in demand by overseas countries will be a big investment 
venture for the province and will provide the much needed jobs for the rural communities.

Even though olive trees are mostly grown in the Mediterranean Basin, there are now many countries all around the world where olive trees 
have found good climatic conditions.

Our country and our province is blessed to be counted amongst those countries which have climatic conditions conducive for olive tree.

We are at the moment waiting for trial trees to arrive from Italy through the East London harbour. A team of experts is to be sent to Italy 
to look at possible environmental threats that can be caused by the shipment of these young trees.

As soon as that team is through with its work the olive tree will be in the province for trials.

This venture is a result of our twinning with the Italian province of Padova and we intend sending some of our agronomist to attend 
training courses in Italy so as to acquire the necessary skills to assist in this olive tree production.

Ends

This Information is Attributable to the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs

For Further Information Please Contact Thembelani Stamper at (040) 6391180 or 083 659 8435

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