Assessing Indigenous Fertilizer Production Opportunities in Africa: An Examination of Resources and How to Evaluate Fertilizer Development Opportunities
December 5-9, 2011
Arusha, TANZANIA
Program Fee: US $1,200 (by November 5, 2011) or US $1,400 (after November 5, 2011)
Background
Many developing countries in Africa are endowed with resources and feedstocks suitable for the manufacture of fertilizers. Among these resources are accumulations of hydrocarbons, including natural gas and coal that can be used to produce nitrogen, deposits of phosphate rock suitable for the production of phosphatic fertilizers and potassium salts. A number of these countries have embarked on fertilizer manufacturing with mixed success.
There is a difference between having the resources and developing a successful and sustainable fertilizer manufacturing industry. This workshop looks at the issues that need to be understood and the opportunities to make this a successful transition.
Development of indigenous fertilizer raw material resources and the establishment of local or regional fertilizer production facilities are alternatives to the importation of fertilizers to supply the nutrients that farmers in developing countries must have. In some cases, these raw material deposits have been successfully developed for the international market or are used to meet national needs. In other cases, the exploitation of indigenous agro-mineral resources has not been successful. Quite often, it is perceived that the mere existence of an agro-mineral natural resource in a country constitutes the foundation for a viable fertilizer industry. However, this is often not true because many technical, economic, political, environmental and other factors may constrain their development. To examine and assess the factors, constraints and options to be considered in developing natural resources of fertilizer raw materials, IFDC is offering a one-week international workshop that will take place in Arusha, Tanzania, during December 5-9, 2011.
Program Objectives
The five-day workshop program is designed to provide:
- An understanding of resources and technologies available for fertilizer production.
- Knowledge needed to assess the viability of fertilizer projects from small-scale blending units to large manufacturing plants.
- An interaction between various actors in the development chain.
- An international forum for an objective analysis and discussion of agro-mineral resource development.
Who Should Attend
The workshop is designed for middle- to senior-level officials/managers working in public or private sector companies involved in all aspects of fertilizer and agro-mineral resource development. This includes those involved in technology, agronomy, environmental affairs, economics, finance and policy formulation. Representatives of local and international fertilizer companies, as well as investment and development banks, will benefit by increasing their knowledge and understanding of the investment opportunities available in developing countries, particularly in Africa. Technical advisors to government policymakers and other public officials who are responsible for fertilizer and agro-minerals exploitation will find the workshop extremely useful. The workshop deliberations will also generate a fund of knowledge for academia. The workshop will be conducted in English.
Program Content
The technical content of the workshop and ensuing deliberations will be structured around a framework designed to address the following key themes:
- Global and African fertilizer situations and outlook.
- Overview of the major fertilizer feedstocks resources available in Africa.
- Overview of the process technologies needed to convert resources to fertilizer.
- Factors that need to be considered when assessing the viability of the fertilizer project and tools to measure their impact on the fertilizer project.
- A holistic analysis of market factors impacting a project.
- The process of evaluating opportunities to develop indigenous fertilizer resources.
- How to undertake basic financial evaluations on resource development proposals.
- How to undertake prefeasibility studies on proposed investment.
- Economic viability of domestic production versus importation.
- Issues in production for regional markets.
Methodology
The program will include formal sessions and breakout groups. Field trips and interactive discussion involving the participants and lecturers will be integral parts of the program, ensuring that specific interests of the participants are covered.
Key workshop topics will be developed in detail through the presentation of a number of subject-specific invited papers. Time will be allotted for discussion and debate among invited speakers and the workshop participants. The speakers will be invited from a broad spectrum of private sector, national and international organizations that are actively engaged in the development of fertilizer raw material resources, fertilizer processing and agricultural research and development.
Discussion/debate sessions during the workshop will be organized in a panel format to ensure that all data, viewpoints and issues are equitably addressed. The invited papers will be designed to set forth data and stimulate discussion. The workshop participants are expected to actively participate in all discussions and make a major contribution to the deliberations.
Faculty
The program faculty will include subject matter experts from IFDC and partner organizations involved in the subject.
Venue
The workshop will take place at the Naura Springs Hotel which is located on East Africa Community Road just off the Nairobi Road in the heart of Arusha. Naura Springs is quite close to the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC) and overlooks magnificent Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. The hotel is easily accessible, being just 45 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), 1.5 hours from the Namanga border and five minutes from the city center. KLM shuttle buses are available to provide economical transport from/to Kilimanjaro Airport for KLM arrivees at US $15 per person.
Participants will receive IFDC’s negotiated special single room bed & breakfast rate for the program of US $70 per person/per night (inclusive of taxes). All rooms have digital satellite TVs, Internet connection, direct dial-out facilities, mini-bars, safety deposit boxes, tea- or coffee- making facilities, as well as spacious bathrooms with Jacuzzis and shower boxes. All rooms face magnificent Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro for your viewing pleasure. Participants should plan to arrive in Arusha, Tanzania, on Sunday, December 4, 2011.
Naura Springs Hotel
East Africa Community/Nairobi Rd.
P.O. Box 7302, Arusha, Tanzania
Contact: Beatrice Dallaris
Phone: +255-27-2050001/8
Fax: +255-27-2050009/10
Mobile: +255-754 318076
E-Mail: naura@nauraspringshotel.com
Website: www.nauraspringshotel.com
Visa and Medical Insurance
APPLICATIONS FOR VISAS SHOULD BE MADE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Participants who are not eligible to enter Tanzania without a visa should submit their application for a visa through the respective embassy or consulate in their country of residence. All required immunizations and health formalities should be completed. Medical insurance should be obtained by participants. The workshop fee does not cover any medical insurance or expenses.
Cost and Enrollment
The program fee for the five-day workshop is US $1,200 per participant. This fee is due with enrollment but no later than November 5, 2011. A non-refundable deposit of US $200 is required with each registration. The deposit will be credited toward the program fee, which is due four weeks before the program is scheduled. Thereafter, a Late Fee in the amount of US $200 will apply. The program fee, less the deposit, will be refunded for cancellations made two weeks before the commencement of the program; thereafter, 90 percent of the paid fee will be returned and 10 percent, in addition to the deposit, will be charged to cover administrative costs.
The program fee covers registration, training and reference material, coffee/tea breaks, all lunches and surface transportation on field trips. The fee does not include air travel, lodging and dinner expenses, or medical and communication expenses. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Paid participants will receive priority. Payment of the program fee can be made by (1) check or draft payable to IFDC; (2) wire transfer to IFDC account in the U.S.A. through First Metro Bank, 406 West Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A., ABA number 062203955 for credit to IFDC Account number 55281; or (3) major credit card – MasterCard, Visa or American Express.
About IFDC
IFDC is a nonprofit, public international organization (PIO) dedicated to increasing agricultural productivity and food production through the development and use of plant nutrients in sustainable crop production systems. Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, U.S.A., IFDC is involved in human resource development, research and technical assistance in collaboration with public, private, national and international organizations throughout the world. IFDC has conducted more than 700 formal workshops, study tours and training programs for about 10,000 participants from 150 countries since 1974. The programs have covered a wide range of subjects including integrated soil fertility management and fertilizer use efficiency, fertilizer production technology, agro-input dealership, competitive marketing, supply chain management, investment analysis, policy reforms and numerous specialized topics.
For more information:
Director, Training and Workshop Coordination Unit
IFDC
P.O. Box 2040
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, 35662, U.S.A.
Telephone: +1 (256) 381-6600
Telefax: +1 (256) 381-7408
E-Mail: training@ifdc.org
Website: www.ifdc.org
As a nonprofit organization, IFDC does not finance or sponsor any participant.