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Welcome
to AFRICABIZ, 
Welcome
to Africabiz Online Synopsis
RSS Feed edition. Previous issue available at this
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Dear faithful reader,
 -AFRICABIZ
editorial team is taking one month break from September 1 to September 30, 2003.
Therefore this delivery stands for two issues: N° 52 / August 15 - September
14; and N° 53 / September 15 - October 14, 2003.
On September 15,
this same delivery will be posted again to the new comers to AFRICABIZ...
and thus to the whole mailing list of AFRICABIZ.
The next new Issue
N° 54 will be posted on October 15, 2003.
THE
REASONS WHY AFRICA MUST EMBRACE THE GENETICS REVOLUTION
The following caption published
in Part - 1 shows a short listing of the several knowledge
fields in which the Genetics Revolution is taking place:
| -
The Human Genetic Information Data's mapping and sequencing.
- The Animal
cloning.
- The ongoing attempts to clone human beings.
- The transgenic
manipulations of seeds and plants for yields' improvement and cultural conditions'
enhancement.
- The diseases control through the detection, control and manipulation
of responsible genes.
- The research for the construction of bio-computers.
Etc. | The
above listing proves Professor
Doherty, Nobel Prize winner is right when he declared: "Double helix
is the shape of things to come...If we are to be responsible citizens, we must
all learn more about genetics."
Indeed, all economic activities
of the century will be concerned by the Genetics Revolution and African countries
will gain tremendously bridging the developing gap if their rulers take the necessary
steps to be part of it.
THE CURRENT STATE OF
GENETICS RESEARCH IN AFRICA
It is a well known fact that universities
all around the African continent lack sufficient funds to undertake research in
any field of knowledge - with the "exception" of South African universities.
In African universities, highly educated scientists are equipped with obsolete
scientific materials to undertake research in their knowledge areas. Research
laboratories lack basic instruments, chemical products, computers, software and
general library.
Then, it is not a surprise if only three African countries
- South Africa,
Egypt and Kenya are currently "engaged" in genetics research.
Below are listed the fields of genetics research research currently undertaken
in Kenya in collaboration with other African countries:
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Insect Resistant Maize: CIMMYT, KARI, Syngenta - a project to develop stem
borer-resistant African maize varieties by combining host plant resistance and
biotechnology produced mechanisms.
- Fungal Resistant Banana:
KUL/Belgium (Nigeria, Kenya) - transgenic bananas have been developed with resistance
for black sigatoka; field trials are being planned for Nigeria, in collaboration
with IITA and Kenya.
- Virus Resistant Sweet Potato: Monsanto,
KARI, Washington University/St. Louis (Kenya, South Africa) - transgenic African
varieties of sweet potato have been developed with resistance to the sweet potato
feathery mottle virus. This virus accounts for 50-80% yield loss in sub-Saharan
Africa; field tests are underway in Kenya and planned for South Africa.
| One
can see the research fields are restricted only to Agriculture development matters.
The oher research areas listed here
are not investigated. For lack of financing means and not for lack of expertise,
which exists.
There is an interesting collectively written book, available
online in Adobe PDF, which deals with Agricultural
Biotechnology and the Poor.
It summarizes the challenges the emerging
countries face to, first, feed their growing population, and second, avoiding
being left off in the global development process of the century.
Reading
the book you will have a final clue Professor Doherty had
a perfect vision of the importance of the genetics revolution for the development
of the humanity.
Facts and information packed in Agricultural Biotechnology
and the Poor show the necessity
for Africa to embrace the genetics revolution. HOW
AFRICA COULD ENTER
THE GENETICS REVOLUTION AND BRIDGE THE DEVELOPING GAP To
save time and energy it is always a good move to copy the strategy of successful
people or countries.
Agricultural Biotechnology and the Poor
has a lengthy chapter: Analyzing Opportunities and Constraints in Selected
Countries that develop the experience of several countries: China, India,
Kenya, Thailand, Philippines,
Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Egypt, Iran Jordan, South
Africa, Zimbabwe.
There are in said chapter basic materials and enough information for any
African decision maker to propose a strategy for the development of genetics knowledge
in his country.
Agricultural Biotechnology and the Poor is definitely
a must read for any African decision maker who cares for the development process
of his country as a responsible citizen.
"CONTRIBUTOR'S
GUIDELINES" are
available here. We invite you
to contribute to AFRICABIZ ONLINE MONTHLY ISSUE - with articles related to
"How Africa Could Bridge The Developing Gap".
Many
thanks for subscribing to Africabiz. See you on October 15, 2003.
Dr. B.M. Quenum
Click here for support console
| | Business
Opportunities
FLOWERS AND FRAGRANCE
PLANTS AGRIBUSINESS AS INCOME BUILDING POWER FOR AN AFRICAN COMMUNITY / PART V:
INDUSTRIAL SCALE PRODUCTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS - INVESTMENT'S
BRIEFS
The condition to develop essential oils' industry, on small, medium or large-scale
basis, is of course the availability of the raw material. Agricultural development
of the raw materials (plants, seeds,
nuts here listed) used to produce essential oils are not considered in this
delivery. People interested in the matter should refer to other sources for data
and information. Only exposed are cultural technical information and investment
data necessary to the setup of the industry.
In sub-Saharan African countries,
Malawi is the one country that already has plantations of Eucalyptus (15,000 ha);
Lemongrass (3,200 ha) and Citronella (2,800 ha).
- PRODUCTION INVESTMENT DATA BRIEFS ON AN INDUSTRIAL SCALE OPERATION TO
PRODUCING ESSENTIAL OILS
Let
us consider an operation in Malawi to produce essential oils of Eucalyptus, Lemongrass
and Citronella as per the production's
yields here exposed. Table below summarizes the investment and operational
costs:
| | Amount
(US$ x 1,000) | |
INVESTMENT
| |
Total
investment | 430 |
| FULL
CAPACITY YEARLY PRODUCTION LEVEL |
| Eucalyptus
= 109,464 liters |
| Lemongrass
= 32,000 liters |
| Citronella
= 78,000 liters |
| OPERATING
COSTS | |
Operational
Expenses: Raw material
purchasing - plantations managing - production costs: insurance - utilities -
staff and hands - management salaries - packaging - external management assistance
- amortization - interests on loan. Etc.
| 350 |
| PRODUCTION
COST PER LITER EX-WORKS |
| Global
production of 219,464 liters of essential oils: 350,000/ 219,464 | 1,595 |
| GENERATED
GROSS REVENUES* | | Eucalyptus:
109,464 x 3,9875 US $ | 436,488
| | Lemongrass:
32,000 x 4,785 US $ | 153,120 |
|
Citronella: 78,000 x 4,785 US $ | 373,320 |
| TOTAL
GROSS REVENUES |
962,928 |
| GROSS
PROFIT: Total Gross Revenues minus Operating Costs | 612,928 |
This
site gives an idea of the pricing of most used essential oils on the world's marketplace.
One can see that the selling prices listed in the Generated Gross Revenues' section
are far below the international prices - and the production shall remain highly
competitive after transport costs to port and harbor's taxes are added for Free
On Board (FOB) purposes.
The production of essential oils on an industrial
scale basis - in Africa and particularly in Malawi - is a high profit making operation.
Loans to establishing the business will be paid back easily in a short span of
time. Annual Gross Profit is twice Operating Costs. No doubt a more detailed Business
Plan will reveal positive Cash Flow allowing for a lucrative expansion drive.
Once an essential oil industry set up in a sub-Saharan African country,
it will open the way to develop a large spectrum of economic activities in the
following sectors: foods, cosmetics, detergent, pesticides, pharmaceuticals; etc.;
and contribute to the Self-Inducing
And Accelerating Impact Factor or Synergetic
Impact Factor to speeding up the economic development of said country.
Adobe
Acrobat Reader is available here
For
more details on the international trade of Essential Oils visit following link
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