ECREEE, UNIDO, IIBN and QUINVITA launch a major strategic study on the potential for sustainable production of novel bio‐energy crops in West Africa.
The ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the International Industrial Biotechnology Network (IIBN) and QUINVITA, a global industrial crop technology and knowledge provider for Jatropha, have launched a major strategic study on the potential for sustainable production of novel bio‐energy crops in the ECOWAS region.
A cooperation agreement was signed by Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE and Mr. Henk Joos, Chief Executive Officer of QUINVITA, at the margins of the OECD West Africa Club Forum “West Africa and Brazil: Addressing Renewable Energy Challenges”, held in Praia, Cape Verde, from 5 to 6 December 2011. The strategic study will:
- Assess the potential for increased food production and utilization of non‐food/feed residue/waste for bio‐energy production from selected food crops;
- Identify ‘go’ and ‘no‐go’ regions for 5‐8 novel bio‐energy crops within the 15 ECOWAS countries, taking into account available land for agriculture, forestry and other environmental impacts;
- Identify 3 potential pilot projects for specific regions in ECOWAS countries with a potential for sustainable production of 10,00‐15,000 hectares of a specific bio‐energy crop, and
- Provide a sustainability assessment of potential projects taking into consideration social, economic and environmental aspects of the bio‐energy crops and their integration with food production, social and environmental factors.
‘’QUINVITA is very honoured and excited about the opportunity to become one of the knowledge partners in this project towards thesustainable production of novel bio‐energy crops in the ECOWAS region. QUINVITA strongly supports small and more intensified sustainable farming operations that respect the specific adaptation and anagement needs of the crops. We see this as a key step for the developing world to create sustainable economic growth and hence reduced poverty and a balaned offering of products strongly needed for these societies”, said Henk Joos, Chief Executive Officer of QUINVITA.
“UNIDO recognizes the potential of bio‐energy in developing countries for improving sustainable energy access and increasing the use of renewable energy. If carefully planned with consideration for environmental and social consequences, the development of bio‐energy establishes green industries that create jobs and enable diversification of income for smallholder farmers”, said René Van Berkel, Chief of UNIDO’s Cleaner and Sustainable Production Unit. Moreover he added that: “IIBN, a joint initiative of UNIDO and IPBO (Institute of Plant Biotechnology for Developing Countries) funded by the Government of Flanders Region in Belgium, was extremely proud with the launch of this first project, which is co‐financed by IIBN. The project shows that the private sector can guide the sustainable application of industrial biotechnology as a catalyst for ocio‐economic development, the key objective of IIBN”.
For further information on ECREEE:
For further information on QUINVITA:
Vincent Volckaert
For more information on UNIDO:
Mikhail Evstafyev
ECREEE SECRETARIAT
Achada Santo Antonio
Electra Building, 2nd floor
C.P. 288, Praia, Cape Verde
Tel: +238 2604630, +238 2624608
Fax: +238 2624614
E-mail: info(a)ecreee.org
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