More About Project 41

Project 41 has two components:

Establishing nonfood biodiesel farms
Establishing agricultural cooperatives to process and export biodiesel fuels

Nonfood Biodiesel Farms

Project 41 will initially purchase 50 hectares of land to set up a model farm on which Jatropha Curcas and other biodiesel crops will be grown
Local workers will be trained in the cultivation and processing of these crops. They will be paid a wage that is sufficient to support a family in the local economy
If an employee stays with the farm for 5 years, as part of a work-to-own compensation agreement, they will receive the land that they have been caring for
This timeframe coincides with the time it takes for the trees to grow to full, fruit-bearing maturity
The land they receive will be sufficient for the continued sustenance of a family
The trees live for approximately 60 years, so the land will essentially support a family for an entire generation.

For-profit Biofuels Agricultural Cooperatives will be established
They will be responsible for extracting, marketing, and exporting the raw and refined biodiesel fuels and their by-products
The cooperatives will build and maintain infrastructureas necessary:
- Seed storage facilities
- Oil extraction plants
- Biodiesel refineries
- The cooperatives will buy biodiesel fuel products from farmers at fair market prices, and assist them in the development of their farms
- The cooperatives will enable critical resources to be shared, such as large-scale farming equipment and the machinery for oil extraction

Jatropha Curcas has been selected as the initial crop because of the high oil content of its seeds
It is a drought resistant perennial tree that grows well in marginal poor soil and desert land
It is easy to establish and grows relatively quickly—bearing fruit for approximately 60 years
The extraction of oil from seeds does not require a great deal of mechanization and can even be done by hand
Its oil can be combusted as a fuel, or further refined into biodiesel
There is growing international demand for Jatropha oil—particularly from the airline industry as Jatropha oil can be used for jet fuel
This biodiesel fuel can also be sold in the local market to fuel diesel generators
In addition, the extraction of raw and refined oil from Jatropha seeds produces a large quantity of left-over seed-cake
This seedcake can be used as fertilization for food based agricultural crops
As such, the Agricultural Cooperative will be able to sell this seed-cake to other agricultural producers in the region to provide additional income to the business.

Several objectives have been established to gauge progress

Employment Objectives

The mission of the model farm is the creation of sustainable employment opportunities
A minimum of 10 employment opportunities will be created in the first 5 years of operation, by the close of 2016
In addition, 3 trainees will become full members of the model farm’s Agricultural Cooperative, by the close of 2020.

Business Objectives

Two business objectives will allow us to measure the progress of Project 41’s first initiative toward long-term sustainability.

To turn a profit in the 6th year of operation, by the close of 2017
To recapture the initial working capital ($150,000 USD) by no later than 2032, 20 years from start-up

Kingdom Objectives

As much as we desire to set measurable outcomes regarding changes that will take place in people’s spiritual lives, we realize that this is purely in the hands of the Father
We long to see entire communities transformed from places that are ravaged by the effects of poverty, unemployment, and living in spiritual darkness, into burgeoning economies that are thriving with the life that comes only from the Savior

The aim is for Project 41 to be self sustainable and to recover its initial capital outlay after 20 years
The initial start-up capital needed during the first five years is 380,000.00 USD
150,000.00 USD is required in the first year
This project will move forward as rapidly as financial resources are available

Here are some ways in which you can financially contribute…

Financing Project 41

Please prayerfully consider how you can partner with us in Project 41

There are many people who still need to hear the great news of our Savior and to be touched by His love
Through the power of His Spirit and with the required resources, together we will be able to implement the vision of Project 41

Donate to Project 41

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If donating in another country, please specify from where and details will be provided