Women in the north-central regions have started to harvest and process the Marula fruit following the good rains over the past two weeks, signalling the start of the marula season. Some women sit under the great marula trees processing the traditional alcoholic beverage, which is currently in demand both for their household consumption as well as for trading. A group of women at Onanadi in the Ohangwena Region are also capitalising on the lucrative business opportunities presented by the fruit and have grouped themselves to maximise their production. Rebbeka Nambayi the group's spokesperson says the great marula tree enables them to sustain themselves, as well as their dependents, through the sale of Omaongo, Marula oil and other products derived from the tree's rich fruit. The group has a niche market, selling their produce to the Eudafano Women's Cooperative throughout the year. Nambayi has urged Namibian youth, especially the unemployed who reside in rural areas, to make use of various business opportunities presented by plants and trees to produce consumable or other products to emancipate themselves from abject poverty.