The TSE4ALLM project national project coordinator presenting the BCI SUPER credit line to the Bilene District Council

Bilene district is located in the Gaza Province in south-western Mozambique with Macia as its principal town. According to the 2011 census (National Institute of Statistics), Bilene district has a population of about 161,000 inhabitants, divided into six administrative posts namely, Incaia, Macia, Macuane, Mazivila, Messano, and Praia do Bilene and presents a higher proportion of women (55.3%). The population is essentially young, with 77.5% of the inhabitants in the age group below 36 years old. Most of the population of this district (76.4%) resides in rural areas.

                                                       Above: A market in Macia town where most farmers sell their produce

Agriculture is one of the district’s main economic activities and there are 30,000 farms occupying averagely 1.5 hectares (0.0058 sq mi) of land. The main agricultural products are maize, cassava, cowpeas, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. Data from the 2011 census indicates that 42% of the district population uses open-pipe wells without pumps as a source of water and only 14% of households have access to electricity. 66.5% of households use Petrol/Paraffin/Kerosene as their main source of energy.

Limited access to energy and inadequate water supply are major barriers to the development of the district since all economic activities including agriculture depend on the availability of these two important resources. “There is too much work in our fields which requires water yet due to climate change it is very hard to experience consistent rains throughout the year. Access to technology like solar powered- solar pumps with less dependence on seasonal rains is a very vital solution to the challenges we face” --- Mr. Pelembe, representative of Bilene farmers at the District Council.

The TSE4ALLM National Project coordinator and FUNAE representative present the BCI SUPER credit line to the Bilene District Administrator

The local government structure is composed of the District Consultative Council (CCD) which is the community channel that coordinates dialogue between the government and the community. It is the most important accountability platform formed by members from all territorial areas belonging to the district.

The TSE4ALLM project with the representation of UNIDO and FUNAE participated in the Bilene District Consultative Council session which was held on 18th May, 2022 at the district headquarters conference hall. The meeting brought together 32 participants (of which 40% are women) including 6 administrative posts chiefs, youth representatives, agricultural associations, cooperatives, SME representatives, and the district economic services department.

The participatory space enabled the sharing of information related to the opportunities and challenges both economic and social impacting the development of the district. “We have large farms for agriculture and other economic activities like fish farming, cattle raring, piggery, and poultry. However, we have very few people interested in agriculture and this limits produce. Young people need to be motivated to engage in the agricultural sector through modern agricultural methods” ---Mr. Matias Albino Parruque, Bilene District Administrator

Individual farmers, their associations, and small enterprise representatives were furnished with knowledge about the existence of UNIDO’s financing mechanism (BCI-SUPER credit line) for renewable energy systems that can boost their productive activities. “There are many financial instruments in the market but the BCI SUPER credit line is unique given its special features like the 7.5% interest rate, focus on renewable energy systems for productive uses, and technical support of entities in the drafting of bankable projects”-Mr. Vicente Matsinhe, National Project Coordinator, TSE4ALLM.

The success of SUPERKWICK LDA, a Bilene based entity that received a low interest rate loan for the installation of a solar-powered irrigation system in the cultivation of 10 ha of land serves as an enormous incentive for other farmers to adhere to the credit scheme. “SUPERKWICK LDA received funds through the BCI SUPER credit line to install a solar system capable of generating 2515W of power to enable the pumping of water for irrigation of macadamia, cashew, rice, bean crops farms covering an area of 30 ha” ---Mr. Aldo Bauque, Manager, SUPERKWICK-LDA

Above: SUPERKWICK proprietor, Aldo Bauque, explaining to university students about the solar-powered irrigation system used to water the macadamia plants

In the same meeting, various renewable energy technologies eligible for funding through the BCI SUPER credit line were highlighted including, solar systems for water pumping and irrigation; photovoltaic solar systems for productive purposes in the commercial sector; water supply systems; transformation of organic waste into energy; Biomass utilization systems for biogas production; and, systems for harnessing biomass for electricity production.

“The fact that communities in Bilene are engaged in activities like cattle raring, piggery, poultry, and agriculture which produce large amounts of waste is an opportunity for the district to generate energy with the waste (biomass) with the aim of replacing the other forms of energy generation that are more costly and detrimental to the environment”- Mr. Fernando Namburete, the FUNAE representative.