COMPETE - Competence Platform for Bioenergy in Arid and Semi-arid Ecosystems in Africa.

First COMPETE Workshop

on Improved Energy Crop and Agroforestry Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa

Date and Time:

22/06/2007

Location:

Mauritius; Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute (M.S.I.R.I.)

Programme:

The main objective of this workshop is to evaluate opportunities of improved land use (energy crops, improved agroforestry systems) for the sustainable production of modern bioenergy services in the African context.

Special emphasis will be given to mechanisms ensuring the economic, social and environmental sustainability of future bioenergy production and use, as well as the development of innovative financing tools and practical, targeted and efficient policies.

Programme

08:00-8:30	Workshop Registration

	Opening Session
8:30-8:45	Workshop Inauguration Address Dr. Jairaj Ramkissoon, Director General, Food and Agriculture Research Council (FARC), Mauritius
08:45–08:55	Welcome Address by the Mauritian Host Organisation Dr. Jean Claude Autrey, Director, Mauritius Sugar Industry Research Institute
08:55–09:15	The EC Project COMPETE – Activities and Results Dr. Rainer Janssen, COMPETE Project Co-ordinator, WIP, Germany
09:15–09:35	ICSU Sustainable Energy Activities in Africa Dr. Janine Chantson, ICSU Regional Office for Africa

	Session 1 Improved Land Use – Energy Crops, Agroforestry Systems and the Provision of Energy Services for Sustainable Development in Africa Chairs: Dr. Romeela Mohee, University of Mauritius and Prof. Giuseppe Ristori, CNR, Italy
09:35–09:55	Sugar Cane and Sweet Sorghum Production Expansion Potential in Southern Africa Dr. Helen Watson, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
09:55–10:15	Experiences and Status-quo of Sweet Sorghum Cultivation in Zambia Prof. Francis Yamba, CEEEZ, Zambia
10:15–10:40	Coffee Break
10:40–11:00	Agroforestry as a Potential Alternative for Marginal Lands under Sugarcane in Mauritius for Environmental Sustainability and Energy Dr. Vinod Lalljee, University of Mauritius
11:00–11:20	Experiences and Status-quo of Jatropha Cultivation in Southern Africa Prof. Donald Kgathi, University of Botswana
11:20–11:40	New and Specific Oils for Biodiesel Production – Non-food Oilseed Crops for Semi-arid Regions Werner Koerbitz, Austrian Biofuels Institute
11:40–12:00	Sustainable Charcoal and Wood Energy Production Stephen Mutimba, Energy for Sustainable Development Africa, Kenya
12:00–12:45	Discussion Round: Biomass for Energy - Opportunities and Challenges for Africa Moderators: Prof. Francis Yamba, CEEEZ, Zambia; Manfred Woergetter, FJ-BLT, Austria
12:45–14:00	Lunch Break

	Session 2 Sustainability, Climate Change and Supportive Policy Frameworks Chairs: Prof. Gavin Fraser, University of Fort Hare, South Africa; Mr. Balraj Rajkomar, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network, Mauritius
14:00–14:20	The Potential of Sweet Sorghum as Source of Fermentable Substrates Dr. Elias Peloewetse, University of Botswana
14:20–14:40	Sustainability of Bioenergy Production in Africa: Prerequisite or Trade Barrier? Dr. Rocio Diaz-Chavez, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
14:40–15:00	Necessity of a Legal Framework and Government Guidelines for the Production of Energy Crops in Africa Michael Madjera, Federation of Evangelical Churches in Central Germany
15:00–15:20	Policies and Strategies for Sustainable Energy Crop and Agroforestry Systems in Africa Stanford Mwakasonda, Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, South Africa
15:20–15:40	Discussion Round: Ensuring Sustainable Bioenergy Production in Africa Moderators: Dr. Njeri Wamukonya, UNEP, Kenya; Estomih Sawe, TaTEDO, Tanzania
15:40–16:00	Coffee Break

	Session 3 International Cooperation and Trade Chairs: Mamadou Dianka, UEMOA-PRBE, and Stephane Senechal, EUBIA
16:00–16:20	Biofuel and Biomass Development and Utilisation in China Prof. Ju Hui, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
16:20–16:40	Biodiesel Initiatives in India – Problems and Prospects Varghese Paul, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), India
16:40–17:00	Sustainable International Bioenergy Markets Dr. Veronika Dornburg, Copernicus Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
17:00–17:20	Discussion Round: Opportunities of International Cooperation and Trade Moderators: Dr. Kingiri Senelwa, MOI University, Kenya Dr. Francis Johnson, Stockholm Environment Institute, Sweden

	Workshop Closing
17:20–17:40	Summary and Conclusion Dr. Helen Watson, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Dr. Rainer Janssen, COMPETE Project Co-ordinator, WIP, Germany