the agriculture energy enterprise initiative: preliminary thoughts

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


Enterprises as the link between agriculture and energy.

EnterprisesAgriculture Energy

ProductionHarvestingProcessingMarketing

SuppliesEfficiencyApplications

Extension ServicesProducts

Design & Implementation


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


Illustration:

Energy usage in cocoa bean production

process

E

E

(organic fertilizer?) (solar

drying?)


Energy usage in cocoa bean production

process

(cont’d)

E

EE

E

E


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


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


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?


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.


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.


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


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


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


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%

the agriculture energy enterprise initiative: preliminary thoughts

Technology

burnedagent agricultureenergy

energy usage

energy user

kind of energy

enterprise initiative

improved energy inputs

energy supplierenergy

ideal energy input