Improve Namibia via Charcoal Production

PRODUCTION OF EXPORT CHARCOAL GENERATED FROM ENCROACHMENT BUSH

Currently between 30 and 40 Million hectare of Namibia's grazing land is covered with encroachment bush. The Acacia wood, locally called Swarthaak, does not allow any grass to grow near it and absorbs 70% of rainfall, limiting recharging of underground water reservoirs. It further inhibits productive plant growth and grazing land. Apart from that, it is not edible by most Animals. Fortunately, being a very hard wood, and excellent for the production of charcoal, this business initiative provides the opportunity to improve Namibia in a multitude of ways.

THE BENEFITS THAT DE-BUSHING OFFERS TO NAMIBIA

Balancing the Eco-System

De-bushing will be done on Forestry Stewardship Council Standard. Please view the follow link for more information about this standard: https://ic.fsc.org/en/fsc-system.

1. Reclaim indigenous grass lands for wildlife to survive and prosper http://www.dasnamibia.org/download/studies/STUDY-BushThinning-Final.pdf

Although Namibia's wildlife is protected by law, the encroachment bush minimizes the natural grazing fields of these roaming animals, having the effect of lowered breeding rates due to less food and water, which in turn decreases their chances for survival. With this initiative, we aim to give their natural habitat, Savannah grasslands, back to them.

Wildlife that is currently affected by encroachment bush: Springbok, Various other Gazelle, Oryx and Zebra. Lions and Cheetahs (listed as "threatened" on IUCN red list of endangered species), are indirectly affected as the lowered population of their natural prey decreases.

2 Enhanced Grazing Fields for Farmers

https:www.thevilliager.com.na /articles bush encroachment takes it toll on environment

De-bushing of the farms are done at no cost to the farmer, generating a better grazing land for free.

By de-bushing a farm, the following will occur:

- Larger grazing areas are created for farmers resulting in the enlargement of their lifestock capacity.

- This in turn has the benefit of more employment opportunities and;

- a larger supply of food to the market, locally and internationally.

3 More rainwater availability for grazing lands.

https://www.newera.com.na/2018/.../namibia-could-experience-critical-water-shortage...

With the Swarthaak's extensive root system spread densely close below the ground surface, it absords 70% of rainwater.

With the encroachment bush removed, more rainwater is available for the grass, generating a higher quality grazing field for the farmer.

4 More water absorption into underground water reservoirs

http://www.agrinamibia.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/The-effect-of-bush-encroachment-on-groundwater-resources-in-namibia.pdf

Namibia is the Driest semi-arid country in Southern Africa, so "Water is Life" has a great meaning to us.

Having more rainwater to recharge the underground reservoirs alleviates this situation.

BENEFITS THAT CHARCOAL PRODUCTION OFFERS TO NAMIBIA

1. More rural employment and development.

With the unemployment in Namibia at a all time high of 37%, mostly in rural areas, this is a big point of consideration for us. We will create about 100 employment opportunities for the rural population per charcoal production plant. This will multiply with every farm getting de-bushed for charcoal. Please see video attached to learn more about unemployment in Namibia

We aim to support the rural population by educating and empowering them to produce charcoal themselves, facilitated by the required equipment that we provide for their benefit. We can then in return buy the charcoal from them at market prices. We believe in the saying, Give a Man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

2. Financial benefit due to export of charcoal

Namibia is mostly an importing country, and the opportunity to export produce out of Namibia will enhance economic growth in the country.

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

The primary function of the business is the selling of charcoal for export. The above-mentioned benefits are the beneficial by-products of the success of this business.

Flocks for Africa already has a supply agreement in place for export charcoal with one of the biggest charcoal processors in Namibia.

Funds are currently required for the purchase of the de-bushing equipment and charcoal production kilns.

We thank you for the time taken to read through this proposal and we hope that you will also see the benefits for Namibia in what we endeavor to achieve.

Thank you and Kind Regards

S.Bosman