Pomegranate Producers Association of South Africa (POMASA) facilitates and assists with plant improvement functions and the certification of new or imported plant material.
The levies collected and managed by POMASA from the sale of their product assists the growers and marketers to fund research projects in the production of pomegranates as well as processing and in the post-harvest handling of the fresh fruit as well as the processed products to make sure that they are consumer safe and that the product meets consumers expectations.
It is important for the growers as well as processors and marketing entities to have up to date product information and technology transferred or made available to them.
It is an expensive exercise to establish orchards, therefore it is imperative that the grower plants the correct plant material and cultivars.
Market information and statistics of both local and international markets is imperative for growers and marketers when making decisions on what varieties to plant for the market and which markets are returning the best prices.
Trade and market access functions are governed by international trade laws and POMASA provides a lobby service to assist with opening trade routes and markets.
The transformation and training in the pomegranate industry forms another very important part of the Pomegranate Producers Association of South Africa services to the industry. This ensures that the workforce to the industry and new entrants are able to access the required information and learning.
And to effectively ensure this all the above is accessible to members POMASA acts as the communication conduit.
Pomegranates in South Africa are either a completely mystical fruit or one that is a fond memory from childhood when bushy shrubs grew in gr...