Date Published: May, 2024
In 2023, JCM commenced with agripower initiatives that are mutually accretive agricultural enterprises co-purposed/located with renewable energy power projects, which, in turn, promote biodiversity and sustainability through a thriving ecosystem. We view agripower projects as an example of combining the sustainable use of land, the protection of bio- diversity, while generating value for our communities. Our agripower initiatives thus far have included the planting of vegetable crops, honey production and livestock, namely sheep.
In Malawi, we have been able to success- fully prepare land, plant and harvest within our solar PV array at Salima. In addition, we have created a small nursery, grown and transplanted seedlings, install drip irrigation, and grown a variety of vegetables including butternut, spinach, watermelons, chilli, and eggplants. We have grown crops both within the array and in open areas. All vegetable pilots were successfully harvested and sold to local off-takers.
Our second initiative – beekeeping and honey production – has many benefits including providing a sustainable source of honey and other byproducts; promoting biodiversity and pollination, which can improve the overall health of the local ecosystem; and supporting local agriculture.
In 2023, we started with 10 local ‘mother swarm’ hives at the Salima and Golomoti project sites and recently expanded by a further 40 high quality hives imported from South Africa. A group of employees and two community members underwent an introduction to beekeeping training in January 2024.
At our wind power projects in Pakistan, we have established 10 hives at each project and supported the beekeeping initiative by planting recommended flora in the vicinities as a source of food for the bees. These plants are watered with water from our pilot wastewater treatment project. We were delighted to harvest our first batch of “Jhimpir Reserve Wildflower Honey” in early 2024.
In 2021, we launched a pilot project at our projects in Malawi introducing sheep to the plant as a means for vegetation control. We now have over 140 sheep and will continue to grow this flock as sheep provide three sources of value: maintaining areas of vegetation; providing manure of organic fertilizer; and financial value by selling mutton/lamb to the local market.
