Central &Southern Africa




		CENTRAL & SOUTHERN AFRICA MALAWI Credit for Grain Production:1994: The promotion of a national hybrid maize strategy to avert a predicted food crisis was examined by Fiona Dixon. The collapse of the credit system meant smallholders were unable to afford the purchase of inputs. A discussion paper was prepared to highlight the need to spend $5 million on seed now to avert the need to import food costing an estimated $100 million in 12 months time. An innovative approach was developed to encourage farmers to swap grain for an equivalent value in seed. Sugar Sector Study:1992-93: A 13 person team, including Fiona Dixon, studied all aspects of sugar production. The team reviewed Government objectives, production areas, marketing, production economics, processing and by-products, soils and crop culture, irrigation, gender related issues, environmental impact, risk assessment, full financial and economic analysis. MOZAMBIQUE Cotton Agronomy: 1997: Series of short term inputs by cotton breeder Jim Watson to advise on methods to increase farmer yields and to establish demonstration plots. Specification and Construction of New Cotton Ginnery:1996-97: Brian Jackson advised a private sector client on the equipment and civil infrastructure required, prepared mechanical and civil specifications and provision of project planning, implementation, certification, commissioning and training. Derek Haigh prepared electrical specifications and supervised the installation. Cotton Breeding Specialist:1993: Rehabilitation and development of agricultural services. Jim Watson assessed cotton breeding and related agricultural research; made recommendations for institutional strengthening to improve cotton breeding activities; helped reinforce management capabilities; and identified the need for technical assistance and training. Beira Grain Terminal Study:1989: A study led by Bernard Giles examined the technical and financial feasibility of establishing an import/export bulk handling facility in the port of Beira. SOUTH AFRICA Development of a Commercial Agri-Business Venture:1996: A study supervised by Jim Turnbull into the market potential for corn syrup given the installed processing capacity already in the country. Appraised the investment opportunities for a new entrant to an established industry. Commercial Cashew: 1993-96: Graham Mann was manager of a joint venture cashew development project and responsible for the financial and physical planning for small holder and plantation production. He managed the establishment of a clonal garden for the production of 250,000 dwarf trees per year and recommended suitable processing systems. ZAMBIA Due Diligence Report for Hybrid Poultry Farm:1996: Colin Jackson, a poultry industry specialist examined the company, its operations and prospects and prepared a due diligence report to support the funding application for a management buy-out. The buy-out was successful. Cold Storage Privatisation:1994: Richard Norris prepared a prospectus for the privatisation of the Cold Storage Board. Technical and operational evaluation of cold stores and associated facilities. Analysis of investment requirements for rehabilitation. Privatisation of Zambia Sugar Company:1994: Hugh Coulter updated a previous study to prepare Zambia Sugar Company for privatisation. Desk study to support valuation of the company including local, regional, international market prospects, national production and processing capacities, cost and price forecasts. The ZSC was sold to Tate & Lyle. Business Development Assistance to Agribusiness with Linkages to Small Farmers:1996: Supply of expertise in agricultural economics, agriculture, processing and storage for visits to Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique to examine macro-economic policy and potential markets. Four case studies of existing SMEs were discussed in workshops to identify interventions that could be developed into projects. Recommendations on inputs, credit and extension services were prepared to complement parallel World Bank initiatives. Jim Turnbull was project director and contributed to the draft and final reports. Feasibility Study for an Agricultural Research Project:1993: Hugh Coulter was team leader on a feasibility study for a Joint Research Project between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Zambia National Farmers Union at Golden Valley Farm. The study defined the options for achieving the amalgamation and advised on the use of two adjacent farms for adaptive research. Organisational systems were examined and recommendations made on management, technical and legal aspects and commercial viability. The recommendations were implemented. Privatisation of the Sugar Industry1993 The Zambia Privatisation Agency commissioned a study of the Zambia Sugar Company (ZSC) with a view to preparing a framework for privatisation. This involved identifying and examining options available for privatisation, performing a company valuation, preparing a financial plan to determine how investment will be introduced into the company and preparation of a memorandum of sale. Hugh Coulter led the technical and marketing aspects of the study. Privatisation Study of the Flour Milling Sector:1992: Berrnard Giles assisted in the preparation of a study to privatise eight milling companies as part of the Reform Programme for the Parastatal Sector. Cashew Development Company:1986-92: Graham Mann was general manager of a joint venture agro-industrial initiative that developed a 10,000 farmer small holder cashew scheme in Western Province. An extension and buying service was established together with a processing facility for export quality nuts. 250,000 trees were planted each year ZIMBABWE Marketing and Manufacturing Study for Small Scale Oilseed Processing Equipment:1996: Nelson Edwards was Business Development / Finance Expert in the preparation of a business plan. The client organisation, an NGO, provided background on the ram press technology. Six manufacturing options / locations were considered and Zimbabwe selected as the most promising. The marketing strategy included distribution options and promotion. A financial model was produced and managerial structure recommended. Horticulture Sector Assessment and Analysis of Programming Options:1995: Peter Clarke carried out a review of the export and domestic marketing of fruit, vegetables and cut flowers to identify constraints and suggest productive USAID interventions with special reference to promoting indigenous small business. Training of Ginning Engineers:1993: Les Law, Ginning Engineer and Training Specialist assessed ginnery facilities and technical expertise available and carried out an intensive training course for selected local ginning engineers. The course was designed to provide the local engineers with the capability of organising and implementing appropriate further training programmes. For further information contact JWTurnbull@bmc-ltd.com (West Africa) (East Africa) (Asia) (Americas) (Eastern & Central Europe / FSU) (Middle East) (Regional)