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The Multi Functional Rural Fuel Platform

"It takes a generation to be great" - Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela reminds us that poverty is not natural, and calls on us to be "the great generation" to bring an end to this man-made tragedy.

1

African Vegetable Oil Uplift Project

We envision setting up a network of Multi Functional Rural Fuel Platform based operations all over rural Africa to implement and roll out the vegetable oil uplift system throughout the region.

Each of the entrepreneurs or communities buying the equipment would be financed by micro capital generated from micro bonds or loans. These loans would be re-paid from the revenue generated from rural fuel sales. This combination of micro loans and commercial demand for high value agricultural output, ensures that the rural entrepreneurs can be capitalized in ventures that would otherwise be considered too great a risk for traditional commercial lender.

African Vegetable Oil Uplift System

The Vegetable Oil Uplift System enables community organizations or individual entrepreneurs to begin processing oil seeds. These locally cultivated oil seeds are converted into vegetable oil and meal cake. The vegetable oil is further processed into rural fuel and the meal cake is used as food or fertilizer for their fields. The rural fuel is sold to generate cash for the community and the food used to enhance the community's diet.

Vegetable Oil Production Energizes Rural Communities

Rural Development Aid can supply electrification and clean water, but rurally produced vegetable oil is the missing piece in the aid puzzle that can energize rural communities.

The vegetable oil uplift system provides long term income generation opportunities for every one trapped in the poverty cycle that typifies much of rural Africa and at the same time helps African women break free from the slavery of daily fire wood and water collection...

How does the Vegetable Oil Uplift System work?

		…use vegetable oil to power the MFRFP’s diesel engine... ... and sell rural fuel for cash…
Local villagers collect vegetable oil seeds instead of stripping their environment for firewood. In return for their effort they will get vegetable oil and cash from the sale of vegetable oil as fuel...
				…use the diesel power for electricity generation to run the MFRP’s battery charger to power LED lanterns... ... and run the MFRFP’s water purifier.
...process oil seeds into vegetable oil, rural fuel and meal cake…		…process meal cake for human and animal diet supplement…

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Why does the Vegetable Oil Uplift system work?

Redeploying women from the wood gathering activity to a more productive activity like collecting oil seeds in the vegetable oil uplift system can have hugely positive impact on rural African poverty levels.

This redeployment does not require the women to do any more work as it takes the same effort to harvest oil seeds as it does to collect firewood. Harvesting oils seeds redirects their efforts away from the environment destroying activity of firewood collection into a sustainable, wealth creating activity of vegetable oil seed harvesting.   

Local Villagers can use this vegetable oil to replace wood fires with clean burning vegetable oil fuelled cooking stoves. This will help reduce indoor pollution, a major disease factor and killer in rural Africa.	Local Villagers can use vegetable oil derived glycerin for making soap and oil for fuelling clean burning lamps. Cleanliness & health will be improved, plus the lamps will enable reading at night, to enable time for education.

Energy, health and poverty are directly related

In sub-Saharan African countries, biomass energy like wood, dung etc. accounts for on average 75% of the total energy consumption in the region. There is a wide variation from country to country: 48% in Zimbabwe, 66% in Zambia, 86% in Kenya, 90% in Tanzania and 94% in Mozambique. This imbalance in the energy ladder resulted in 95% of firewood being consumed in rural areas when compared to only 5% in urban areas.

The unequal distribution of fuel use is directly related to the income levels of urban populations compared to rural populations. Sub-Saharan Africa is the least urbanized region in the world with about 75% of its population living in rural areas and the majority of its population exists on US$1 per day.

Firewood and charcoal are important source of income for rural women. In rural Africa, women are traditionally in charge of looking for firewood in the forest to meet the household needs. When wood and charcoal has become a business, it is still in hands of women and this wood collection activity is a very important source of income for a large part of the year.

In the areas near to main roads and in the surroundings of urban areas, deforestation has become a big problem due to this wood business. The linkage between reduced forest cover, erosion and desertification is not well understood by the population and the planting of new trees is not taking place. Initiatives, like Wangari Maathai's http://www.greenbeltmovement.org have started to turn the tide.

However, the problem is difficult to deal with because people don't have any other source of income to substitute the income gained from wood selling and they don't have skills or capital for starting something new.

Creating a new, sustainable rural industry

Rural vegetable oil production provides the initial foundations on which an entirely new, local, micro and environmentally friendly industry which can then be encouraged to develop all over rural Africa.

On a national level, vegetable oil can enable developing countries to replace imported fuels radically changing their balance of payments picture. Rural vegetable oil production sends oil wealth back into the countryside replacing the need for impoverished African countries to send what little hard currency they have, overseas importing petroleum based fuels.

Redeployment of rural workers

The dependence on biomass energy in rural areas has led to women spending long hours gathering wood and dung everyday. This same time and effort could be spent on productive activities like harvesting vegetable oil seeds or working for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which are well documented poverty alleviating enterprises.

Redeployment of women from wood gathering activities, to more productive activities would help improve the standard of living of all the constituents of a rural community and start to break the crushing cycle of rural poverty.

Stem the tide of rural to urban migration

In the vegetable oil uplift system, an un-skilled oil seed picker can earn US $750 per year, tripling the average African rural wage. This level of income also places them ahead of the yearly average income level of the average African urban household of US$ 650, so relieving the pressure for the rural poor to migrate to the urban areas to survive.

National Implications

Vegetable oil used as a diesel fuel replacement has the potential to transform the prospects for many poor, unskilled rural Africans. For example, in Zimbabwe, 130,000 unskilled people could hand pick enough oil seeds to replace the entire nation’s 2 million liter daily demand for diesel fuel. 900,000 acres of vegetable oil plantation or 0.5% of Zimbabwe’s 390,580 sq km of total land area would produce this much vegetable oil.

The envisioned vegetable oil industry will increase rural incomes, which could help stem the tide of people migrating out of rural areas and stabilize the population growth in cities. Increased rural employment should also reduce the number of migrant workers traveling from rural to urban areas to seek employment which is partly responsible for the rapid spread of the AIDS epidemic.

Click this link to view our African Power Point Presentation.

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Links of Interest for South Africa

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

www.africacncl.org - Corporate Council Africa - Encouraging trade between USA & Africa
www.africa-usa.org - Africa-USA International Chamber of Commerce
www.amcham.co.za - American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa 
www.amaboston.com - South African Business Club Boston
www.sabusinessclub.org - SA Business club linking the US with South Africa
www.sabusinessclub.com - UK Chapter of the South African Business Club.
www.saclubatl.org - South African Business Club Atlanta
www.sacba.com.cn - The South African China Business Association
www.slapchips.com - The South African Businesses Abroad Directory

DEVELOPMENT

www.sustainabilityinstitute.net - Sustainability Institute
www.areed.org - Areed - African Rural Energy Enterprise Development
www.afribike.org - Africa Bike
www.ikamva.com - Ikamva Labantu Poverty alleviation
www.ubuntu.com - African LINUX operating software
http://allafrica.com/sustainable - Sustainable Africa News

BUSINESS, FINANCE AND INDUSTRY

www.agoa.gov - African Growth and Opportunity Act
www.bee-scorecard.co.za - Black Economic Empowerment Score Card
www.brain.org.za - Business Network and Referral organization
www.careersinafrica.com - Get a job in Africa
www.cbc.com - Commonwealth Business Council
www.homecomingrevolution.co.za - Encouraging South Africans abroad to return home
www.idc.co.za - The Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa
www.tie-sc.org -  The Indus Entrepreneurs
www.sacob.co.za - South African Chamber of Commerce (SACOB)
www.tradepartners.gov.uk/south_africa/profile/index/travel.shtml- UK's DTI site
www.sboff.com - Standard Bank Offshore
www.compass-informatica.com - Offshore Investments & Financial Services
www.informaticainternational.com - Investment promotion, trade and business development in sub-Saharan Africa
us-africa.tripod.com - US / Africa business linkages

SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES

www.wits.ac.za/sebs/ - Wits Graduate Business School
www.gsb.uct.ac.za - Graduate School of Business (University of Cape Town)
www.uct.ac.za - University of Cape Town Alumni
www.gsb.uct.ac.za/cie/home.asp - UCT Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS NEWS AND MEDIA

www.busrep.co.za - Business Report
www.bday.co.za - Business Day
www.eyethuonline.com - Eyethu serving Southern African communities in North America
www.fm.co.za - Financial Mail
www.safrica.info - South African gateway site for SA information and business
http://www.southafrica.info/public_services/sa_abroad/sa_communities/streamingradio.htm - South African Radio On-line
www.southafricatimes.co.uk - Newspaper for South Africans and people interested in SA
www.sundaytimes.co.za - Sunday Times Newspaper

SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCTS

www.africanhut.com - African Hut Home Page
www.africasouth.com - Food, music and the JULUKA magazine for US South African's.
www.biltong.net - The Biltong Box in Dallas Texas
www.biltongbox.com - Where to buy S.A. goods in North America
www.Biltong USA - Biltong in the USA
www.braaisupplies.com - Braaisupplies
www.capedutchbakery.com - Cape Dutch Bakery
www.florencemeats.com - South African Food, Ontario, Canada
www.platterwineguide.com - Platters Wine Guide
www.proteaimports.com - Protea Imports
www.savannahimports.com - Source of Rooibos Tea and other SA foods
www.swig.co.uk - South African Wine Specialists
www.sagroceries.com - SA Groceries
www.solz.co.za - Rugged outdoor clothing
www.southafricans.com - Cape Food & Beverage
www.sasausages.com - SA Sausages Ltd.
www.rusks.com - Kalahari Rusks - Traditional rusks made in South Africa
www.lekker.freeservers.com - Biltong, Boerewors and Koeksisters in the USA
www.lekker.safeshopper.com - The South African Food Shop
www.southafricanfoodshop.com - South African Food Shop
www.planetgiftz.com - South African Gifts
www.voetsek.co.uk - Suppliers of South African Products
www.wosa.co.za - Generic Promotion of South African Wines

SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT

www.dfa.gov.za - Department of Foreign Affairs
www.dpe.gov.za - Department of Public Affairs - Government owned companies.
www.environment.gov.za - Department of Environment and Tourism
www.sadc.int - Southern Africa Development Community (SADC)
www.southafricahouse.com - South African High Commission - London
www.saembassy.org - SA Embassy Washington DC
www.statssa.gov.za - Statistics South Africa
www.link2southafrica.com - SA Mission Los Angeles

SOUTH AFRICAN ASSOCIATIONS, CLUBS & SOCIETIES

www.actsa.org.za - Association of Corporate Treasurers
www.capecoastchamber.org.za - Cape Coast Chamber of Business
www.centurionet.co.za - Centurion Business Club
www.cipro.gov.za - Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office
www.proteaclubinscotland.co.uk - A Social Club in Scotland for all South Africans
www.saba.co.uk - Southern Africa Business Association (UK)
www.saclub-cal.com - South African's in San Francisco
www.saica.co.za - South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
www.tisa.org.za - Transparency South Africa
www.sacsas.com - Sacramento Springbok Club
www.at-info.com/springbok/ - The Springbok Club of Phoenix, Arizona 
www.springbokclub.com - The Springbok Club of Southern California
www.sa-austin.com - The Springbok Club of Austin Texas
www.dfwrhino.com - SA Expats in Dallas/Fort Worth
www.nynjspringbok.com - NY/NJ Springbok Club
www.sacolorado.org - SA Colorado
www.sainoc.faithweb.com - South Africans in Orange County
www.amerifrikaners.com - South Africans in Orange County (Copy)
www.saindiana.org - South African Association of Indiana
www.sagroupdubai.com - The South African Group in Dubai & UAE
www.saffersunite.com - Social group for South African's living in London 
www.sadfw.com - Social group for South African's living in Dallas Ft. Worth Texas 
www.sausa.org - SA USA discussion forum
www.xpat.co.za - Expatriates living in South Africa

SPORT

www.sarfu.co.za - The Official website of SA Rugby
kwaggasrugbytexas.com - South Africans playing Cricket and Rugby in Texas
www.springbok-supporters.co.uk - The UK Springbok Supporters Club
www.sportinglife.com - Sports News
www.cricket.co.za - United Cricket Board of South Africa

TRAVEL

http://www.alphonse-resort.com Alphonse Resort Seychelles *
http://www.beachbreaks.co.za - Windsurfing Cape Town
http://www.capebirdingroute.org - Cape Birding Route
www.capenature.org.za - Cape Nature Conservation
http://www.capesport.co.za - Windsurfing in Cape Town
http://www.capepointroute.co.za - Cape Point Route
http://www.cape-town.net - Cape Town guide
http://www.afton.co.za/101-things.htm - 101 Things to do in Cape Town 
http://www.easymap.co.za - Easy Map South African On-Line Map
www.flysaa.com - South African Airways
www.fedhasa.co.za - Federation for Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) 
www.karrell.com - South African specialty travel agent 
www.kulula.com - Kulula Low Cost Airline
http://www.linyanti.com - Linyanti Reserve *
www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/south_africa/ - Destination South Africa 
http://ww5.flymango.com Mango - SAA's Low Cost Airline 
www.rainbownation.com - The International South African Community
http://www.southafrica.info - South Africa’s Official Internet Gateway   
www.satsa.com - South African Tourism Services Association (SATSA) 
www.saexpress.co.za - SA Express - Air service part of SAA 
www.travelbeyond.com - Travel Beyond tours to South Africa
www.theta.org.za - Tourism Hospitality, Education and Sports Training Authority (THETA)  www.tbcsa.org.za - Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
www.tourismsa.co.za - South African Tourism
http://www.saexpress.co.za - South African Express Airlines
www.1time.areo - One Time - Low Cost Airline
http://www.windsurfingafrica.org - Windsurfing Africa
www.wilderness-safaris.com - Luxury safaris in Southern Africa

CHARITIES

www.jankriel.com - Jan Kriel Institute
www.jkwineauction.com - Annual Charity Auction of Prestigious South African Wines
www.mandela-children.com - Nelson Mandela Children's Fund
www.starfishcharity.org - Supporting Aids Orphans in South Africa
www.southafrica-newyork.net - Missions to South Africa
www.ikamva.com - Empowering and developing Township communities
www.zawt.org - Supporting Farmers in Zimbabwe

SEARCH ENGINES AND GENERAL SITES

www.aardvark.co.za - Aardvark is comprehensive general search engine)
www.ananzi.com - General search engine
www.incolor.inetnebr.com/chmcwill/rsa.htm - Mac's South African Links
www.iol.com - Independent online (news on South Africa)
www.ja-nee.com - General South African Information
www.marulatree.com - Information and News from South Africa
www.rainbownation.com - News of the International South African Community
www.southafrica.co.za - Information on and for South Africans worldwide.
www.sa.web-chart.com - Guide to South Africa's web sites
www.sanza.co.uk - Information on SA, New Zealand and Australia for UK purposes.
www.sareunited.com - Find old friends and school pals on-line
www.saw.co.za - South Africans Worldwide - Keeping in touch with friends & family
http://sansa.nrf.ac.za - A network linking skilled people living abroad who wish to make a contribution to South Africa.
www.springbok-europe.com - The European Springbok, spring-board to South Africa
http://2go.it/springboksuk - South Africans living in the UK
www.sastream.com- Information and News from South Africa
www.thegumtree.com - Employment, Accommodation & other useful info.
www.voetsek.co.uk - Information, news, shopping and chat for South Africans in the UK.
 

MISC WEBSITES

www.1stcontact.co.uk - Providing everyday assistance for the independent traveler
www.daorganizer.com - Markham Bester web page, Dallas Texas
www.euroafricaweb.com - Internet Solutions and Digital Technology
www.elsweb.net - John Els, a South African living in Texas
www.oanda.com - Foreign Currency Converter - Current & Historic
www.legilink.co.za - South Africa's leading Parliamentary Information Service
www.actsa.org - Action for South Africa
www.proudlysa.co.za - New campaign to promote South African companies
www.breytenbachs.com - Breytenbachs is a South African law firm, based in London.
http://sainfo.iac.iafrica.com/abroad/ - Homemade Services for South Africans abroad
www.southafricainfo.co.za - Information on South Africa
www.thinksouthafrica.com - UK DTI site for SA

© 2006 MFRFP all rights reserved.