A perceived market opportunity for certified organic essential oils led to a decision to explore the opportunities to establish tea tree oil production in Zimbabwe, and ultimately to the development of Earthoil Plantations as a major producer and marketer of organic essential oils.
One of the foundation partners in Earthoil had been producing certified tea tree oil on a very small plantation in Queensland, Australia. The oil proved to be of high quality, and experience in organic farming enabled the creation of a niche market for the product. Investigation into ways of extending this experience to increase supply revealed a resistance to the adoption of organic methods of production in the belief that high land and labour costs in Australia acted against success of the organic approach.
An opportunity arose to commence production in Zimbabwe, and to adapt methods of production to a very different environment, and this proved to be a challenge. Zimbabwe, in sub-Saharan Africa, lies very close to the equator, and has an elevation of above 2000 metres. Like Australia, the soils are old and depleted of nutrients, and frequently have a very low organic carbon level. The long hours of sunlight encourage rapid growth, so the limitations are in the supply of water and nutrients. Zimbabwe has two rainfall periods each year, but is frequently very dry, and so the availability of irrigation is desirable.
The land selected for the establishment of a trial plantation has light soils very low in organic content. It had not previously been farmed, and was accepted for organic production by the international certifier involved. The land was cleared of light scrub, deep ripped along planting lines, and harrowed. Overhead irrigation was provided utilising moveable spray lines, with the water being drawn from a very large dam.
Seed supplied from the Australian plantation – certified organic seed – was available, but establishment methods required development. Irrigated seed beds were established, methods of handling the very fine seed developed, and a unique approach to spreading and then covering the seed were also developed. A high strike rate was achieved.
Following planting, the area was fully mulched (grass straw cut on the farm), and the growth of the seedlings closely monitored. Irrigation was maintained throughout the growing period. Manual weeding, and re-mulching, was necessary to ensure continued strong growth At 13 months, the first harvest was undertaken – oil extraction followed as the harvest proceeded. The oil was handled and stored entirely in stainless steel, and nitrogen purging of the stored oil followed.
As the harvest proceeded, a following team cleared all weeds, re-mulched with wheat straw and spent tea tree (the residue from the still), and a side-dressing of organic, free range chicken manure applied. As the cut stumps coppiced, the tree stumps were pruned to ensure only strong leaders remained.
Subsequent maintenance throughout the following growing period concentrated upon maintaining heavy mulching, with a further side dressing of organic chicken manure. Irrigation was maintained, and the crop was ready for a further harvest 10 months after the initial harvest. Methods have been further developed in subsequent growing seasons. Yield and oil analysis have shown the success of the venture, the oil being successfully marketed by Earthoil in the United Kingdom.
Earthoil’s experience showed that organic essential oil production is a viable operation in Zimbabwe, and in other countries of Africa. Other essential oils have been introduced subsequent to the establishment of tea tree, with the methods of operation being progressively modified.
The principal conclusion – apart from the success of the tea tree oil venture – is that organic essential oil production is fully viable in an African environment. Farmers interested in discussing the details of the methods developed are invited to contact Earthoil – there is provision in the website for contact to be established.
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