Biomass opportunities in Mozambique

In 2009, Solidaridad set up Fair Biomass Mozambique (FBM), a producer owned company for biomass energy pellets. Farmers supplying wood and agricultural waste streams to the plant, will earn an income and improve their food production.

Target

To set up a production system that improves farmer income, regional food security and dietary conditions, reduces slash and burn agriculture and produces sustainable energy carriers.

Reason

Most farmers in Mozambique live below the poverty line. They grow their own food, using slash and burn practices. These practices are inefficient, destroy the soil and contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases. They often have no cash income to provide for their basic needs. At the same time, the world is turning its attention to bioenergy and Mozambique is seen as one of the most promising countries of origin for sustainable biomass. Solidaridad aims to involve the rural population of Mozambique in this opportunity.

Activities

• A network of local trainers train 5,000 farmers in the use of agroforestry techniques. The farmers learn to increase and improve food production while growing trees for biomass simultaneously.
• Village nurseries are set up for the production of seedlings.
• A pelletizing plant and a business organisation is set up in the port of Beira.
• Fair Biomass sources agricultural waste flows for pelletization and connects 2,500 farmers to the supply chain.
• Farmer organisations are created to facilitate learning and ownership of the pelletizing plant.

Results

• 50 trainers are trained to train 100 farmers each.
• An agroforestry programme has been designed to be rolled out.
• A commercial entity has been developed to set up the pelletizing plant, which is called Fair Biomass Mozambique.

Facts

Location: Sofala province, Mozambique.
Duration: 4 years (2008 – 2012)
Target groups: 5,000 self sufficient farmers of whom 2,500 will supply Fair Biomass Mozambique.
Budget: € 1,750,000
Partners: Abiodes, European Commission, Electrabel, NL Agency