View source for Powering Biotrade: Renewable energy and energy efficiency in the southern African biotrade and small agricultural sector


= The Problem<br/> =

Biotrade value chains are contributing to household food security, community employment, gender equality and poverty alleviation. Unfortunately, the value chain has not tapped its full potential yet. Energy constraints are a key reason for this sustainable business sector being still underdeveloped.<br/>

[[File:Electricity Infrastructure Phytotrade Africa Study.JPG|thumb|left|300px|Energy constraints as a key reason for underdevelopment in the agrifood business sector in Southern Africa (Source: J. Rees).]]<br/>

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= The Role of Energy<br/> =

Inefficiencies in power consumption, inaccessibility and high costs of grid power make a production of greater volumes and good quality biotrade products very difficult for farmers. If available, energy is often supplied by burning coal in distant power stations. Renewable energy technologies could cope the energy gap but are mostly absent in southern African biotrade. [[File:Marula Oil Press Phytotrade Africa Study.JPG|thumb|right|350px|Providing clean energy for the marula oil press could not only reduce environmental risks but also increase the producers' income (Source: J. Rees).]]<br/><br/>


= Aim of the Report<br/> =

The present report has been edited to explore the [[File:PV installation at Bulungula Incubator's Primary School Project Eastern Cape Phytotrade Africa Study (46).JPG|thumb|right|250px|PV installation at Bulungula Incubator's Primary School Project Eastern Cape (Source: J. Rees).]] potential of renewable energy solutions and energy efficiency measures in the southern African biotrade sector. It sets a baseline for the design and implementation of pilot projects and develops a knowledge base of constraints, challenges and opportunities. Appropriate energy technologies for wider dissemination to the sector are presented.<br/>

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= Case Studies<br/> =

The study team analysed 21 biotrade businesses in southern Africa, producing and processing several value chain products, i.e. Marula, Devil’s Claw. Current energy practice, upcoming energy requirements and potentials for the adoption of renewable energy solutions were examined.<br/>[[File:Map Phytotrade Africa Study.JPG|thumb|350px|Map of the study area (Source: J. Rees/C. Lombard).]]<br/>

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= Results<br/> =

The study shows that the southern African and international biotrade is modest in scale at the moment and consumes relatively low amounts of energy. However, biotrade business farmers consulted intend to grow. Greater product volumes as well as more processing and manufacturing facilities subsequently implicate a need for more energy. Renewable sources could have positive spin-offs. Solar-powered drying facility for instance could improve quality or produce by reducing the risk of mould and making them more attractive for export markets.<br/>

[[File:Marula seeds for Phytotrade Africa Study.jpg|thumb|150px|Marula seeds for soap production in Southern Africa (Source: J. Rees).|alt=Marula seeds]] [[File:Marula soap manufacturing Phytotrade Study.JPG|thumb|150px|Manufacturing of soap from marula seeds in Southern Africa (Source: J. Rees).]] [[File:Marula Soap Phytotrade Africa Study.JPG|thumb|150px|Marula soap production in Swaziland(Source: J. Rees).]]<br/>

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= Outlook<br/> =

Why did biotrade farmers make no use of renewable energies until today? Limited understanding of renewables’ potential, a lack of technical knowledge and high capital costs among others are causal for the delayed uptake of renewable energy technologies in the Southern African market. An energy transition in biotrade could however be fostered by producers’ keen interest in learning more about renewables and import markets’ growing demand for carbon, energy and water audited products.<br/>

[[File:Marula Soap Phytotrade Africa Study 2.JPG|thumb|350px|Marula soap as an end product for sale (Source: J. Rees).]]<br/>

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= Publication<br/> =

[[File:Powering Biotrade. Renewable energy and energy efficiency in the southern African biotrade and small agricultural sector.pdf|thumb|left|180px|Powering Biotrade]]<br/>

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