Madagascar

24
Dec

Christmas for malagasy children

"None of us can do so much
as all of us together"

As in previous years, SUNfarming donates to Christmas for a non-profit organization. Through our Food & Energy project in Madagascar, we were made aware of the children's aid project "Clair de Lune" by our local partners. 70 orphans or children from penniless families from 1 to 6 years of age are looked after by 3 employees every day and receive one hot meal a day - sometimes the only meal. SUNfarming will support this project in 2020 with a regular, monthly donation. For this year's Christmas on December 18, the SUNfarmer and their families spontaneously collected and with the amount transferred, Christmas became a festival of joy for these children too.

In this spirit, we wish you and your families a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. Health, happiness and much success for the New Year - combined with our heartfelt thanks for your trust!

With festive greetings
Your SUNfarming Team

27
Oct

Laying of the foundation stone in Madagascar for 5 MW SUNfarming Food & Energy Training Center

On 19. October, the President of Madagascar solemnly laid the foundation for the first food and energy training center in Madagascar. In Antsirabe and at three other locations, over a total area of 40 ha, 20 MWp Food & Energy training centers will supply the island with apprenticeship places and green electricity.
In the first construction phase, 5 MW will be realized.

More than 250 guests from politics, business and universities participated in the solemn laying of the foundation stone in Antsirabe on 19. October 2019.

The ceremony was opened with the speech of the Minister of Higher Education, Professor Blanche Nirina Richard and Minister of Energy Mr. Vonjy Andriamanga. The President of Madagascar, His Excellency Mr Andry Rajoelina, emphasized in his speech the great importance of the Food & Energy project for Madagascar, both to support the region in power generation and to educate people in the innovative areas of Food & Energy.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country's economy is largely based on agriculture, mining, fishing and textile production. The average Madagascan earns only about US $ 1 per day and 70% of the Malagasy live below the World poverty line. Almost half of Madagascar's children under five are malnourished. According to the WHO and UNICEF, access to clean drinking water is less than one in two islanders. About one third of the population are illiterate. Among other things food and oil are imported.

The first SUNfarming 5 MW Food & Energy Training Center on Madagascar offers highly interesting perspectives for development policy

5 megawatt Food & Energy Training Center on 10 ha means per year:
• 1,000 training places in organic farming and solar technology
• up to 500 tons of organic vegetables
• chicken breeding and egg production
• 9.0 million kWh of clean energy
• 7,500,000 kg CO2 savings

40 hectares of SUNfarming Food & Energy Trainigsanlagen are used 50% for the cultivation of vegetables.
For the power supply of the Institute of Antsirabe, SUNfarming will install a 10 kWp battery-powered island system.
For the first time, the classrooms used for lectures receive light and electricity.

The Food & Energy Training Center has great potential to train students and those interested in the following areas:

· Photovoltaics and self-sufficient energy technologies;
· Production of organic vegetables;
· Chicken farming and egg production
· Agricultural practices and technologies;
· Food processing and packaging;
· Food Marketing and Market Management;
· Aquaponics (Water and Hydroculture)
· Practical experience and competence development.

"We see the cooperation with the university as a development center for other universities and partners. We've signed a contract with the University of Madagascar and the Ministry of Education, "explains Peter Schrum, principal shareholder and founder of SUNfarming.
"SUNfarming will help train up to 20,000 students and apprentices in organic food and solar technology over the next 10 years.
"The benefits for citizens and communities are endless! This project offers a strong training component, sustainable food and energy production and job security for those who need it most," adds Peter Schrum.