CNH mechanizes large scale agricultural project in Sierra Leone
LUGANO, Switzerland – (October 26, 2011) – CNH International is providing the expertise and equipment of its two agricultural brands, Case IH and New Holland Agriculture, to a large-scale integrated sustainable project developed by Addax Bioenergy, a subsidiary of diversified energy group Addax and Oryx Group, in Makeni, central Sierra Leone. (Photo: The Makeni Plantation)
For the success of this initiative, CNH is able to draw on its global resources and the experience it has developed over the years working on big agricultural mechanization projects in the African continent.
Sugarcane harvesting expertise for renewable energy generation project
The first portion of the plan, the Makeni Ethanol and Power Project (MEP), entails the establishment of sugarcane estates, an ethanol refinery, a cogeneration plant and the related infrastructure.
Work on the sugarcane estates has just begun, with nine New Holland medium hp tractors that were delivered earlier this year preparing the land for planting.
John Moult, General Manager of Addax Bioenergy Sierra Leone Ltd, commented, “We are very satisfied with this collaboration with CNH. The early implementation phase of our project is centered around developing the cane fields. It is essential that all activities are properly planned and developed in each phase to ensure that the cane supply is developed to match the factory start up in November 2013. CNH fully understands the need for planning and efficient implementation and has provided all the support and assistance we needed. They have provided an onsite technician to assist with maintenance, spare parts requirements and training for our service people.”
When the estates are harvested next year, the cane billets will be planted as seed cane, extending the cane growing area. This will be repeated the following year when the plantation will be further expanded to reach its final extension of approximately 10,000 ha. Early next year, New Holland will supply an additional seven medium hp tractors to support the work as the cultivated area of the project expands.
The Case IH Austoft 8800 sugar harvester
At the beginning of 2012, Case IH will step in with its expertise in sugarcane harvesting and specialized equipment. Its massive 435 hp Steiger tractor and Austoft 8800 sugarcane harvester, both at the top of the range, will be delivered for the first harvest. On the Makeni estates, the cane will not be burnt prior to harvesting, in line with its environmental policy, but rather, the majority of the cane will be harvested mechanically. Mechanical sugarcane harvesting, supported by Case IH’s specific expertise has significant benefits both in terms of productivity and environmental impact.
The cane stalk will be harvested and transported to the ethanol refinery with most of the dry leaves left in the field after harvest, or dry trash. The tops of the stalks and the remaining trash will be returned to the field creating a trash blanket with its agronomic benefits. After milling, the trash and residual cane fibre will be fed to the cogeneration plant.
Patrice Loiseleur, Business Manager CNH Africa Agricultural Projects & Corporate Farming, commented, “We will continue to work in the field with Addax to understand their requirements throughout the project. We employ the best technologies available in the marketplace together with best agricultural practices, and we are fully committed to providing Addax Bioenergy the support they need for the success of this project.”
Over 2,000 people will be directly employed and trained by Addax to work in the factory and the agricultural operations. The estates are expected to supply approximately 960,000 tons of sugarcane per year when fully developed. The refinery will produce 82,000 m3 of ethanol and the cogeneration plant will generate 165 GWh of electricity, of which approximately 100GWh will be exported into the domestic national grid.
Local agricultural development through mechanization
Parallel with the MEP, a second project to ensure food security for the communities in the area is in progress. The Farmer Development Programme (FDP) was set up by Addax Bioenergy to help local smallholder farmers become self-sufficient and move towards commercial farming. CNH has already delivered 41 New Holland TD and Case IH JX tractors in the 80 to 90 hp range.
A New Holland TS tractor with the Mae Green service technician at the Makeni plantation
John Moult said, “The tractors have been used to plough and prepare some of the 1500 ha of land for rice production. Several of the tractors will be retained in the FDP as the rice land development is expanded. These tractors are ideally suited to the project: they are simple, easy to use, reliable and highly efficient models. They are built to the highest quality standards with heavy-duty components for minimal downtime and they will be valued working partners for both projects.”
CNH support for large-scale projects
The MEP and the FDP are large-scale programs that need to remain functional in the long term: this requires the right equipment and the best support throughout. CNH is able to offer the widest range of agricultural equipment from its New Holland Agriculture brand as well as the premium, high productivity and specialized equipment, including sugarcane harvesting machines, from its Case IH brand.
To date, Addax Bioenergy has ordered from CNH, 60 Case IH and New Holland machines for the two programs. More will join the fleet as the projects progress. Service and training support are vital to the success of such projects, and CNH has appointed MAE Green to provide on-site support, which includes inspecting the tractors on arrival, providing field assistance, training mechanics to carry out daily maintenance and operators, as well as ensuring availability of the necessary spare parts.
CNH International – CNH International, a subsidiary of CNH Global, is the company responsible for the manufacture, sales, distribution and after sales operations of agricultural and construction branded equipment in over 120 countries throughout Africa, the Middle East, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Asia and Oceania, encompassing Australia, China and India. CNH International was established in 2007 to strengthen CNH’s brands focus in emerging and high-growth markets.
Addax Bioenergy, a division of the Swiss-based energy corporation Addax & Oryx Group (AOG), is developing a Greenfield integrated agricultural and renewable energy project in Sierra Leone to produce fuel ethanol, electricity and food. Addax Bioenergy was established in 2008 with the aim of developing renewable bioenergy projects, in particular in the biofuels sector.
The Addax Bioenergy project, supported by the Government of Sierra Leone and six European Development Finance Institutions (DFI) and the African Development Bank, has adopted EU sustainability criteria and IFC Performance Standards aimed at protecting biodiversity and developing environmental sustainable practices.
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CNH Global N.V. is a world leader in the agricultural and construction equipment businesses. Supported by approximately 11,300 dealers in approximately 170 countries, CNH brings together the knowledge and heritage of its Case and New Holland brand families with the strength and resources of its worldwide commercial, industrial, product support and finance organizations. CNH Global N.V., whose stock is listed at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:CNH), is a majority-owned subsidiary of Fiat Industrial S.p.A. (FI.MI). More information about CNH and its Case and New Holland products can be found online at www.cnh.com.
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13th March 2012