The country may produce biodegradable plastic bags, a product considered environmentally healthy, thanks to its bet on the export, in the medium term, of oil extracted from castor seeds.
For this purpose, different varieties of castor seed are being tested at this moment in Titimane, Etatara administrative post, Cuamba district, in Niassa, to determine the level of adaptability to the soils and climate of this region.
Judite Massengele, governor of Niassa, recently visited that region of Cuamba district and, on the occasion, said that if the trials of different varieties of castor yield positive results, the province will move towards a commercial production.
Niassa has a long tradition of producing this plant, but its use has been limited to cosmetic purposes, a situation that may change if the results of the trials conclude its effectiveness in regions with high temperatures.
Castor oil has multiple applications. Scientific evidence shows that it is ideal for high rotation engines, namely those used in airplanes, space rockets, automobile brake systems, production of paints, glues, and adhesives.
Because it is a toxic oil, it is used in the production of insecticides, fungicides, dyes, synthetic fibers, varnishes, soaps, and the manufacture of biodegradable plastic materials, among others.
Manuel Delgado, general manager of Sociedade Algodoeira do Niassa, SAN, a company of the João Ferreira dos Santos group, said that his firm was contacted by representatives of large business groups based mainly in India to become involved in the castor oil production project.
Quoting the popular saying that “the secret is the soul of business,” he did not give details about his company’s involvement in the project to produce the plant. However, he affirmed that the castor variety that shows adaptability to the climatic and soil conditions of Cuamba will also be produced in some districts of the Nampula province.
He added that the factory belonging to the JFS group in Geba, Memba district, currently deactivated, will be used for castor oil extraction, a fact that will constitute another business for his company, at a time when the world is betting on environmentally healthy products to feed the industrial sector.
Castor oil is a multi-purpose vegetable oil that people have used for thousands of years. It’s made by extracting oil from the seeds of the Ricinus communis plant.
These seeds, which are known as castor beans, contain a toxic enzyme called ricin, castor oil has a number of medicinal, industrial and pharmaceutical uses.
