Commercial Viability of Phloem Bundle Production as a Sustainable Agro Enterprise in Limpopo Province, South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijsbe.679Keywords:
Phloem Bundles, Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Entrepreneurship, Limpopo Province, Bio Based EconomyAbstract
This article assesses the probability of transforming phloem bundles into a profitable and sustainable business in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Phloem derived fibre products from crops such as hemp, sisal, and kenaf have gained global recognition due to growing demand for biodegradable materials and green construction inputs. The study employed a qualitative systematic document analysis combined with secondary quantitative agricultural and market data from 2020 to 2026. Sources included peer reviewed journals, provincial agricultural reports, and global fibre market analyses. Findings indicate that Limpopo possesses favourable agro ecological conditions, expanding smallholder participation, and increasing demand for sustainable fibre products. However, profitability depends on value chain integration, processing infrastructure, cooperative models, and policy alignment. Probability modelling based on market growth trends and regional production capacity suggests moderate to high commercial viability under structured investment and institutional support. The study concludes that phloem bundle commercialization is feasible if linked to local manufacturing clusters and export oriented green markets. The findings contribute to rural enterprise development debates and sustainable agricultural transformation in South Africa.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mantlo Richard Ngwepe, Humphrey Lephethe Motsepe (Author)
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