Sub Saharan Africa has suffered for decades from a myriad of problems which are, with correct investment and management, solvable. Indeed, as an example, Zimbabwe was once the“Breadbasket of Africa” and provided electricity and food to surrounding countries whilst benefitting from extensive product exports, high quality of living and security. This provides good evidence that the land is rich, and capable of supporting the population and surrounding nations. If investment can be secure, as outlined within this document, it should be possible to return to the previous state.
“THINK HOW MUCH MORE RURAL PEOPLE COULD CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY, PEACE AND STABILITY IF THEY HAD THE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THEIR FARMS AND BUSINESSES AND TO PROSPER, NOT JUST SURVIVE.”
ALVARO LARIO – PRESIDENT OF IFAD .
The problems in Sub-Saharan Africa are interrelated and self compounding, each year becoming worse and further affecting each other. These problems stem from behavioural, economic, political and cultural aspects. It is possible to modify the behavioural and economic aspects and ultimately influence the cultural and political aspects of the root causes of the problems by jump-starting the four elements we have identified; Food Security, Health & Wellbeing, Ecology and Economy.
Lack of investment has led to fuel and power shortages, particularly in the rural areas. .
The ecology is negatively impacted due to deforestation for fuel, soil depletion, poor husbandry.
Lack of easily available potable drinking water and poor food variety and quality greatly impacts health.
Seasonal rainfall with no water collection of delivery leads to short and few growing seasons resulting in lack of crop variety and rotation.
The problems in Sub-Saharan Africa are interrelated and self compounding, each year becoming worse and further affecting each other. These problems stem from behavioural, economic, political and cultural aspects. It is possible to modify the behavioural and economic aspects and ultimately influence the cultural and political aspects of the root causes of the problems by jump-starting the four elements we have identified; Food Security, Health & Wellbeing, Ecology and Economy.
The problems are here listed in reverse order from the solutions we propose as the problems stem from Economic issues, affecting the Ecology, in turn affecting Health & Wellbeing and Food Security. In order to resolve the issues this process must be reversed;
Thus the circle continues; improving the soil, another year of exports and food, better health, better financial security, direct improvements to the eco-system.
Aotea believes that the problems must be addressed holistically and with a renewable cyclic approach. As such there are several elements proposed, which interact with one another to resolve the stated issues in a renewable and continuous, ever improving manner.
This whole process starts with water; nothing can be changed and no problem resolved unless a firm starting point is addressed; the ability to reliably deliver water to where it is needed. Due to the poor power and fuel availability and with the world’s over-riding drive for carbon neutrality we recommend the use of eco-friendly solutions such as pumps that utilise solar or, even better, the natural kinetic energy of running water itself. The use of solar powered pumps can raise issues in terms of cost, chemical batteries, and the easy theft of parts, so we use kinetic pumps wherever possible.
The starting point of all of these improvements is the Rural Revitalisation Programme.
This incorporates water delivery, as stated above, water collection and efficient usage, seeds, fertilisers, efficient irrigation, some purification (not using chemicals and generally not using power), thus greatly extended growing seasons and yield, leading to food security and cash crops which can be used for soil improvement, export and revitalisation of local industries.
Following the successful beginning of the above programme the Industrial Hemp Programme can be initiated. Relying upon the infrastructure provided by the Rural Revitalisation Programme, hemp can be one of the cash crops grown. Hemp products can be used for soil improvement, production of fertiliser and feed, fuel briquette sand bio fuel. This can greatly reduce deforestation and can be used to revitalise local industries.
The Water Hyacinth Programme can be started at any time and offers ecological and economic gains. We propose a joint removal and processing programme using the harvested Water Hyacinth. We can transform it into much needed organic fertilisers, animal feed and bio fuels, thus feeding back into the previous programmes.
Everything starts with providing water to villages and unused land to increase food and health security, as well as cash crops.
As well as carbon credits, these crops improve soil conditions, provide a fuel source to reduce deforestation and off-take materials and products.
This invasive weed is a huge problem in waterways and to aquatic ecologies, but it can be rendered into soil improving products and fuel replacements.
Housing is a big problem but affordable housing can be provided in an ecologically sound way by using off-take from the hemp programme.
Each programme provides raw materials which can be utilised by local industries to provide products for those programmes to consume...
AoteA will be there in each country across the region holding hands, helping and supporting.
We see our role as facilitating the continual benefit of the Programme.
We are setting up support networks to offer assistance from the ground up.
We are training local people to install and maintain the solutions.
We manage support calls from the end farmer through to installation and maintenance teams.
We are encouraging people across the region to join us, form their own companies, partner with us, be trained and supported by us, utilise our IT systems and expertise throughout the Programme and to become part of the AoteA Family.
Our holistic approach means that each programme has inputs (raw materials, water, fertiliser etc.) and outputs (cash crops, fertiliser, fuel, building materials etc.)
AoteA believes that the problems must be addressed holistically and with a renewable cyclic approach. As such there are several elements proposed, which interact with one another to resolve the stated issues in a renewable and continuous, ever improving manner.
ALL THE COMPONENTS OF OUR PROGRAMMES WORK TOGETHER, BUT CAN ALSO WORK INDEPENDENTLY:
Our programme is split into three distinct Phases each undertaking several activities and each expanding the solutions, areas and reach of the overall programme. Each Phase is funded separately and distinctly, with Phase 3 being the ever continuing Programme in perpetuity.
Social Enterprise and Empowerment
One of AoteA’s key Goals is the empowerment of people local to each country in which we operate. This is achieved by our training keen and able individuals, small business owners, and rehabilitating low level ex-criminals, or those at risk of becoming so, in our products and services, helping them to start and manage their own AoteA business and become part of the Aotea family.
This enables people to become self sufficient with a viable business and a future of their own making. We train, support and assist with practical, legal and contractual aspects of their businesses and provide them with the initial opportunities.
Local AoteA companies are wholly owned by local entrepreneurs. It is AoteA’s mission to pass on as much success as possible to local people, helping them drive their local economy and personal welfare. As we bring in more initiatives, products and services we will continue to take these people with us on our journey.
Land Husbandry
One of the main problems with donation based projects in Africa is not following up with support, mentoring and management.
Aotea intends to be present throughout the cycle of production ensuring, with the assistance of local co-operatives and local banks, that the equipment is maintained via this support network. We will also be involved in the off-take of crops to ensure that everything is kept working, in place and maintained. We would consider removing support from anyone who are in conflict with Aotea’s principles.
One of the main advantages of being a part of the Aotea community is that we can encourage and ensure Land Husbandry and Stewardship as part of the agreements and follow up mentoring with farmers and villages.
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