26 Jun 2018

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through its Sustainable Land Management (SLM) project, has injected P100 000 to revitalise the Mongongo oil project in Shakawe in the Okavango Sub-district.

The project, which is owned by a group of women called Matute A Mongongo, manufactures cooking oil from Mongongo fruits.

SLM project coordinator, Mr Innocent Magole revealed in an interview that UNDP decided to assist the group, which was already in production, to ensure it produced more and expanded its market.

Mr Magole said the group was using the traditional method to produce the oil, which he said was slow.

He said SLM was currently renovating the group’s facility, adding that after completion, they would purchase an oil pressing machine to quicken the extraction process.

The machine, he said could produce 40L of oil per hour.

Mr Magole said “once the facility is completed, we will fit the machine. Currently, the group members are pilling the fruits awaiting the arrival of the machine”.

He pointed out that the group had a lucrative domestic market and believed the machine would boost production.

He said the product had been tested by National Food Technology Research Centre.

For her part, the group chairperson, Ms Keitirele Ndara confirmed the assistance from UNDP in an interview, revealing that their working relationship with SLM started at the beginning of this year, after the approval of their proposal.

She said that initially, they got financial assistance to the tune of P264 000 from the Department of Gender Affairs in 2016, but it was inadequate, hence they tried their luck with the UNDP to augment what they had.

Ms Ndara appreciated assistance from UNDP, noting that initially they were manufacturing the oil manually and hoped the machine would make things easierfor them and eventually grow the business.

She said they currently enjoyed market from locals and some customers from as far as Maun and Francistown, adding that they intended to intensify their marketing to reach other places.

Ms Ndara described their product as nutritious and believes its value would attract more customers.

Some locals who are familiar with the fruit say it could be eaten as a snack or a full meal and also be used for various usages. It is reported that the fruit is harvested in winter.

Matute a Mongongo group is made up of 12 women. ENDS