Passion to profit with Pelargonium 'Rose' as essential oil crop for the production of rose geranium oil by emerging farmers.

摘要

There is a desperate need in South Africa for information on suitable small farmer crops with low risk, alternative choices for commercial farmers, and for drought tolerant crops. Meanwhile, South Africa is importing ? 5.5 million worth of essential oils per year. It is used in the culinary, perfumery, industrial and in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The international trend of natural products is growing at 15% in demand world wide. South Africa’s share of the world exports in essential oils is estimated at 1.03%. There is a world demand for the rose geranium essential oil of Pelargonium species which contains geraniol, linalool and citronellol, substitutes for the expensive attar of roses in the perfume trade. Pelargonium species are indigenous to South Africa and was known for their medicinal value by the earliest indigenous people. Geranium oil production was not sustainable done in the past in African countries. Most rural areas of South Africa is densely populated, and poverty stricken. These communities rely on subsistence farming as a living. Limited information on Geranium cultivation methods, plant density, yields, harvesting methods and co-operative farming and markets has led to the rationale of this trial in a subtropical area of South Africa. The aim was to determine maximum yield and farming potential for this area. This study focuses on planting density, harvesting techniques, and comparing yields with the objective to transfer this technology to emerging farmers. The results were obtained from trials in Mpumlanga, at the Lowveld College of Agriculture. Higher plant densities than the prescribed South African norm of 15 000 plants per ha, and harvesting methods were investigated to promote this crop a profitable option for emerging farmers. It can be seen as a sign of the growing industry of essential oils in South Africa by commercial and emerging farmers.