the agriculture energy enterprise initiative: preliminary thoughts
TRANSCRIPT
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Energy & Agriculture Rationale
Agriculture as energy user AND energy supplier Energy inputs as improvements across the
agricultural value chain E+Co’s work in Asia evolved around agriculture
waste minimization, treatment and recapturing.
Energy-related agriculture interventions Water access Mechanization Fertilizer
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Enterprises as the link between agriculture and energy.
EnterprisesAgriculture Energy
ProductionHarvestingProcessingMarketing
SuppliesEfficiencyApplications
Extension ServicesProducts
Design & Implementation
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Addressing challenges along the
agriculture value chain with energy
Productivity: deliver inputs and technical advice Water irrigation/ pumping equipment (solar PV, diesel) Bioslurry from biogas digester as fertilizer
Mechanization: opportunities to generate energy for use in production process, improved income generation and/or rural electrification Agricultural waste to energy for electricity, industrial heat/ steam, biofuel to
power value adding activities (milling, grinding, refrigeration, etc) Biofuels from jatropha Solar dryers
Market Access: enhance link between farmers and buyers Solar powered mobile phone chargers, solar lanterns for night cultivation/ market
activities
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Illustration:
Energy usage in cocoa bean production
process
E
E
(organic fertilizer?) (solar
drying?)
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Energy usage in cocoa bean production
process
(cont’d)
E
EE
E
E
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Uses for Cocoa Waste
Waste Opportunities
How can waste boost farmer income? Fed through pod-
chopping machines for onsite composting
Bean shells converted into biomass fuel source (to power processes or for rural electricity)
Waste Identification
2/3 of cocoa pod usually dumped as waste Leaf matter, prunings
and pod husks, discarded beans that is usually burned
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Multiple benefits Waste minimization
Non chemical fertilizers
Overcome energy constraints and encourage value adding processes
Biomass substitute for traditional fuels lowers emissions
Increase access to energy and agricultural income for farming communities
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
BrainstormIdentifying opportunities (Questions for agriculture- sector
partners):
Where are the critical numbers?
What are waste management issues?
Where is and what kind of energy needed? What are the constraints?
Where is there increased value opportunity with energy?
What would be the ideal energy input for farmers?
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 1: Improved energy inputs for
fishermen
Solar lanterns can provide fishermen with a brighter and safer light to fish at night
Improved ovens for smoking fish have a longer life, larger capacity, provide high quality and uniformity of products, and consume less firewood. For women who traditionally smoke fish, this translates to less time and reduced health hazards for improved income.
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 2: Overcoming energy constraints to boost
farmer income
Heifer’s solar dairy refrigeration, Kenya
Rural dairy farmers can’t sell their evening milk as they are unable to refrigerate it overnight
Dairy cooperatives as beneficiaries of Solar Ice Coolers for milk preservation and refrigeration.
Milk can be transported to market before it spoils, increasing income.
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 3: Renewable energy facilities for value-adding
processes
Solar drying facilities
Masaka Organic Producers (MOP)
MOP is a woman-owned business in Uganda (E+Co investee).
Purchases mango, pineapple, apple, banana, paw-paw and jack-fruit from local farmers
Dries the fruit using solar powered drying and heating systems
Direct income guaranteed to 250 farmers
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 4: Village-level Solar Market Garden
Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) in Benin
Women farmers can now grow vegetables and fruits during dry season
Solar irrigation systems that pay for themselves in 2-3 years, are durable, emissions-free and economical compared with gasoline/ diesel powered pumps
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 5: Industry-level agricultural waste to rural
electricity
Husk Power Systems is a new enterprise in India that owns and operates 35-100kw mini power plants
These mini power plants use discarded rice husks to deliver electricity to over 50,000 rural Indians
Turning rice husk into electricity, powering LED lights of a nearby village
AGENT (Agriculture-Energy-Enterprise Initiative) by E+Co, August 2010
Example 6: Community microgrid system using
biomass
E+Co recently announced expansion of partnership with PMO Philippines to implement a business model to catalyze rural electrification in SE Asia
Community Energizer Platform (CEP)= a microgrid system combining electricity generation with distribution and household interconnection. Each serves 1,000- 2,000 households.
System relies on locally produced biomass (agricultural waste, primarily coconuts) to reduce fossil fuel reliance by 30 – 70%