Biomass from cocowood
ACDI/VOCA as service provider for the MCC/MCA financed (FISP) Farmer Income Support Project is currently clearing / removing about 15% of the anticipated cutting area necessary in private coconut estates.
All pre-feasibility studies showed the realistic export potential of this biomass opportunity. BioTech possesses the local knowledge to be a valuable partner to kick-start and run with confidence the operational part of this operation with the necessary local knowledge.
The vast majority of coconut production is held by commercial plantations such as Grupo Madal, Murroa and Boror Agricola. The estate and smallholder sector has not (or more correctly was not in the financial position) as a whole, made the necessary investment in tree removal and replanting necessary to halt the progress of CLYD.
Labor intensive work is reasonable cheap to cut down moribund and dead trees creates a ripe breeding ground for . Once has infested an area, communities have further difficulty cultivating new seedlings without experiencing early infestation and high rates of seedling mortality.
The first stage investment and running costs are estimated with US$ 8 and the long term with pelleting plant US$ 28 Mio which the company intents to raise via potential investors. The ROI is calculated with a time-line of 3 years from start of operations.
The Mozambican investment climate is favorable for such a large operation and the potential succeeding with a promising CDM afforestation/reforestation project/carbon sequestration project would significantly support the whole region.
