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THE BIGGER PICTURE:
A development strategy for Sustainable "Self-sufficiency".
A. TIME REQUIRED for project maturity and
development of a Revenue stream (5 to 7
years projected):
Most of these BioFuel plantation projects can be expected to take several years to reach the stage where any meaningful revenue stream is developed, because of the time needed to prepare the land, plant and mature the crop, to the point of first harvest, setting up and bringing into operation of a suitable oil processing plant.
Consequently a special, focussed approach is needed, in order to attract adequate investment - and to ensure a buy-in from the participating labour resource (i.e. the local community).
In most cases, the local rural populace is reliant on "Subsistence Agriculture" and do not have a sophisticated operational infrastructure in place, so that the BioFuel project is in reality a GreenField Development!
Consequently a special, focussed approach is needed, in order to attract adequate investment - and to ensure a buy-in from the participating labour resource (i.e. the local community).
In most cases, the local rural populace is reliant on "Subsistence Agriculture" and do not have a sophisticated operational infrastructure in place, so that the BioFuel project is in reality a GreenField Development!
B. "OUTGROWER" Programs:
These are the flavour of the moment, at other similar projects already under way in Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, Kenya and Malawi and seem to be a realistic route to success, involving the local population, to the maximum effect.
C. INTERIM employee stability and
LONGER-TERM FOOD-SECURITY;
This is an issue that arises in these impoverished communities but if adequately addressed, as part of the BioFuel project development strategy, can then be utilised as an add-on benfit for the participating communities. This in turn is expected to encourage governmental support for these agrarian initiatives.
D. INTER-ROW Food Crops (for food security):
This approach can be used as a solution, where the main crop is able to accommodate this approach (e.g. in the case of Jatropha Curcas, Meringa, OilPalm plantations).
E. COMMUNITY USE of Presse-cake residues:
After expression of the usable oils from the oilseed for example, the residual cake may have several uses that will benefit the operation and the local participating community;
F. RURAL HAMLET:1. As Animal feed for the community members' / outgrowers' own livestock.
2. Compacting: For Compressing into Briquettes for fuel (Cooking - instead of firewood).
3. For composting, to make "Organic" fertiliser for return to the crop fields or for re-sale.
4. Residual and unused presse-cake and other BioMass residues can also be used as a fuel resource for the needed processing plant that will be established for the purification and Esterification of the raw oils into BioDiesel (for example).
5. Gas & Liquid fuels: Conversion of residual unused BioMass directly into BioGas and/or fuel alcohol.
2. Compacting: For Compressing into Briquettes for fuel (Cooking - instead of firewood).
3. For composting, to make "Organic" fertiliser for return to the crop fields or for re-sale.
4. Residual and unused presse-cake and other BioMass residues can also be used as a fuel resource for the needed processing plant that will be established for the purification and Esterification of the raw oils into BioDiesel (for example).
5. Gas & Liquid fuels: Conversion of residual unused BioMass directly into BioGas and/or fuel alcohol.
Village Development Objective:
Already in many diverse parts of Rural Africa, one finds the communities organised in small hamlets or villages, usually centred around a common resource like a well, for their water -supply. Drawing from these communities for the needed labour resource is of course a 'no-brainer'and would mesh well with the longer-term development strategy for any BioFuel project requiring large-scale land development.
Alignment of the project development model and the interplay with the needed labour resources, Outgrower buy-in and the need for adeqaute skills development, (to manage and grow the project successfully), leads to the paralallel development of a traning and skills transfer facility, rural clinic(s), health-care improvement and access to education. All of these positive attributes should unlock additional funding and social development support from donor organisations and primary funders.
Alignment of the project development model and the interplay with the needed labour resources, Outgrower buy-in and the need for adeqaute skills development, (to manage and grow the project successfully), leads to the paralallel development of a traning and skills transfer facility, rural clinic(s), health-care improvement and access to education. All of these positive attributes should unlock additional funding and social development support from donor organisations and primary funders.
G. Qualification for Carbon Credits:
While the project setting-up / seed-funding is being resourced and secured, attention should of course also focus on the registration of the project for CDM approval, so that there will then be a consequent reduction in the quantum of development and operating capital needed, from the primary risk pool.
