An entrepreneur from Limpopo has opened an avocado oil-producing factory at Dovheni, outside Thohoyandou, in Limpopo. The manufacturer, Ecovado, aims to use the local factory to empower local farmers in the Vhembe district.

Avocado oil and related products will be packaged at the factory.  The factory hopes to create employment for the locals and also boost the local economy.

With a pair of scissors snipping the ribbon, Ecovado’s state-of-the-art avocado oil factory officially has opened its doors, with the hope of ushering in a new era of economic growth, job creation, and avocado oil production in Limpopo.

The facility has a capacity to process 100 tons of avocados daily. It is expected to create over 100 jobs for the local community and benefit farmers by providing a market for their produce.

Ecovado’s product line includes avocado oil and avocado seed powder. As the factory begins its operations, the CEO of Ecovado says he aims to make a positive impact through job creation, empowerment of local farmers, and production of high-quality avocado products.

“I’ve decided to set up the factory to benefit especially the local community because I’ve seen that there’s an abundance of avocados and we can’t finish them, they always go to waste, so I thought, let me set up this facility and this facility manages to process about hundreds of tons of avocados a day, which is a lot. For me, it’s going to benefit the community because there’s already more than a hundred jobs created for the local community, I mean, it’s going to benefit the farmers and for me it’s a dream come true because I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” says Mudau.

Mudau says his vision is to implement a “fruit for cash” system, encouraging small-scale farmers and households to plant avocado trees and supply the factory with their produce.

“We have cash for scrap, i want to adopt fruit for cash type of system, I want that small household which doesn’t have any access to the market to plant even if it’s one avocado tree, I want to see people coming with wheelbarrows, I want to see people coming with plastics to supply us avocados because we need a lot we are going to be able to produce avocado extra virgin oil, meaning it will be from our machines and it will come directly to your pan or to your salad. We are producing high-quality oil, which is very beneficial for your health, and it’s also used in the cosmetic industry, hair products. We are also adding value to the process by processing the avocado seed into powder, which is very good for your health,” Mudau elaborates.

Local farmers and community members who have been struggling to tap into the national and international markets say this factory is a game-changer.

“This is a big opportunity for us farmers around Vhembe and Tzaneen, as you know, we are part of the hub that is producing lots of avocados in Limpopo. We are one of the best producers of avocados. there are a lot of farmers who are struggling to sell their products, the market is so hectic, sometimes we don’t get what we deserve so as long as we are working together, I know we can start very small but as we grow we might come with something big and i think this will benefit us as farmers,” says local farmer, Mpho Ravele.

“We are very proud that we are creating jobs for our own people, and the more the factory grows, the more people are employed. We will give them one hundred percent support now and even in the future on whatever they need as a community,” says local traditional leader, Jeffrey Ramovha.

The Limpopo provincial government has applauded Ecovado, saying that this factory will play a significant role in boosting the local economy and creating employment opportunities.

The factory plans to supply the local and international markets with its products. It says it has also managed to secure an export market in Italy.

VIDEO | New avocado oil factory brings job hope in Dovheni, Limpopo