AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES SERVICE

BACK-TO-OFFICE REPORT

To: Mr. Raimund Jehle, REUP, Budget Holder

Through: Mr. Gavin Wall, Chief AGST and Mr. Jeff Tschirley, Chief SDRN

From: Mr. Roberto Cuevas, Agro-Industry Officer (Processing), AGST and Mr. Gustavo Best, Senior Energy Coordinator, SDRN

Dates of Travel: 22 – 27 October 2006

Project Symbol TCP/BYE/3101 (06/X/BYE/206) “Rape culture and bio fuel production on Chernobyl-affected land”

Country Visited: Belarus

Objective: To provide multidisciplinary technical support in the confirmation of project context, previous work, scope and focus of activities as an input to the formulation of the TCP project document.

Follow-up

actions:

• To finalize the draft project document, to be done by AGST and SDRN in consultation with AGPC, REUP and TCOT and send it to the MOFA through the Embassy in Italy

• To complete the information as required, by the MOFA and the National Academy of Sciences.

This report has been cleared by me for distribution as indicated below

Mr. Raimund Jehle, REUP, Budget Holder Date:

Distribution:

G. Mrema, Director AGS OiC, SDR Sedik, REUP Keita/Siano, TCOS Baker, AGSF Kueneman, AGPC Raney, ESA, for IDWG Bioenergy Members FPMIS/TCP/BYE/3101 AGST and SDRN Circulation AGST and SDRN Regional Officers AGST and SDRN Registries AG 6/1 (Cuevas); SD (Best Chrono.)

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1. Summary

The mission was carried out by the Reporting Officers (ROs) to provide multidisciplinary technical support in the confirmation of project context, previous work, scope and focus of activities as an input to the formulation of the TCP project document within TCP/BYE/3101. This was part of the multidisciplinary technical support from AGST and SDRN to the Government of Belarus. The dates were from 22 to 27 October 2006 (travelling time included). The required follow-up actions were defined by the ROs in agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Academy of Sciences, and recommendations were issued regarding the main components of the project and key follow-up actions. 2. Background and Objectives of the Mission

FAO received a Note Verbale dated 14 Februrary 2006, transmitting a letter of His Excellency, Mr. Leonid Rusak, Minister of Food and Agriculture to the FAO Director General, requesting FAO assistance under the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) to support the implementation of four priority projects. Project ranked as a priority No. 2, “Rape culture and biofuel production on Chernobyl affected land” was assigned to the Agricultural and Food Engineering Technologies Service (AGST) and the Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN), as the services responsible to coordinate FAO’s response and actions on this request. The Project in response to the request from the Government of Belarus to FAO was given symbol TCP/BYE/3004. A previous mission from FAO to Belarus1 had determined that a potential project area in this country would be the issue of producing rapeseed for bio-diesel on Chernobyl affected land. The analysis by the ROs determined that additional information would be needed to enable completion of the technical assessment regarding rapeseed (Brassica napus Linnaeus, also known as rape, oilseed rape, and in some cultivars, canola or colza) and biodiesel (monoalkyl esters made in this case from rapeseed oil) in Belarus. Such information was requested to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry and other institutes part of the National Academy of Sciences, through the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Belarus to FAO, in the Embassy to Italy. The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus transmitted the copies of the following materials concerning rapeseed cultivation in Chemobyl-contaminated areas that were made available by the Institute of Soil and Agrochemistry of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus:

• Efficiency of potassium fertilizer applicaton on spring rapeseed on radiopolluted soils, by Y. V. Putyatin, T. M. Seraya, I.A. Dobrovolskaya, Minsk, 2005.

• Quantitative and temporal assessment of 137Cs and 90Sr biofixation by organic wastes in agro-ecosystems, by Y. Putystin, T. Senya of the Belarusian Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry (BRISSA), Minsk, Bolarus (presented at the International Conference on the Protection of the Environment from the Effects of Ionizing Radiation, 06-10 October 2003, Stockholm, Sweden)

• Edible oil production from rapeseed grown on contaminated lands, by Y. Bogdevitch, Y. Putyatin C. Rigney and A. Chupov. Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry (Minsk) and International Atomic Energy Agency, (Vienna), 2001.

1 David Sedik and Jos Haynes. Opportunities for field activities in Belarus. REUP, FAO. 2005.

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• The uptake of 137Cs and 90Sr by different genotypes of spring rape from the soil, by Y. Bodgevich, Y. Putyatin and D. Spaar, Arch. Acker-Pfl Boden., 2001.

Furthermore, contacts with sister international agencies were made to request related information. From the UNDP Office in Belarus was received valuable information regarding previous work in the country. From the International Atomic Energy Agency the ROs received three documents:

• Technical Co-operation Project BYE 5004, Edible oil from rapeseed grown on contaminated land, •State Chernobyl Committee, Belarus; •Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Belarus; Institute for Soil Science & Agrochemistry (BRISSA), Belarus; and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2001.

• Summary of rapeseed project, by A. Chupov, IAEA, 2001. • Edible Oil Production from Rapeseed Grown on Contaminated Lands/ Innovation

Forum, Value chains in the processing of renewable raw materials”, by I. Bogdevitch, Y. Putyatin, C. Rigney, A. Chupov 10-11 December 2001, Gardelegen, Germany, 2001 (same as received from the MOFA).

With this information it was established that technically, the project’s subject matter goes beyond just producing rapeseed for biodiesel in a cost-effective manner, as it deals with the viability of doing it in contaminated land and getting agro-industrial products (oil and biodiesel), in a technical and economic feasible manner, where safety and environmental factors, as well as energy policies, must also be addressed. The results of the preliminary assessment indicated that, as presented, the objectives of the proposal and expected outputs were too broad to be achieved within the limited TOP framework and would need to be revised to be in line with the basic criteria established by FAQ Governing Bodies for TCP proposal. Therefore the objective and nature of the project and the context of the proposed interventions would have to be re-defined, in order to establish the level at which FAO assistance is more appropriate and with higher sustainability and impacts. It was determined as advisable to field a project formulation mission, which would develop the specific elements for the project through visits and interviews with key stakeholders. The joint AGST/SDRN mission members will provide multidisciplinary technical support in the confirmation of project context, previous work, scope and focus of activities as an input to the formulation of the full technical cooperation project document. This report refers to the mission of the ROs as per the Terms of Reference (see Annex 6.1). The mission was carried out by the ROs to provide multidisciplinary technical support in the confirmation of project context, previous work, scope and focus of activities as an input to the formulation of the TCP project document within TCP/BYE/3101. 3. Summary of Main Activities:

The itinerary of the mission is presented in Annex 6.2 and the list of people met is in Annex

6.3. The general programme of the mission, as arranged by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and kindly translated for the mission by the UNDP, is presented in Annex 6.4. In summary, the activities were:

• Meetings with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Comchernobyl, the UNDP, the Scientific and Radiological Research Institute (Gomel), the National

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Academy of Sciences, the Novoyelnya facility and District Administration and the Committee on Energy Efficiency.

• Field visits were carried out to selected sites in southern Belarus (Gomel region) and north western Belarus (Novoyelnya facility).

• Meetings with the UNDP and the World Bank. The described activities have been executed in coordination with Mr. David Sedik and Mr. Raimund Jehle (REUP and LTU for the project) and Ms. Raffaella Siano (TCOT), the support of Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu (UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus), Mr. Dmitry Goloubovsky (Program Officer, UNDP Belarus), Mr. Sasha Piskounov (interpreter), and the UNDP team. Deepest thanks are expressed to those persons, whose support to the Mission is greatly appreciated. Many thanks also to Ms. Kilcawley and Ms. Bastar from AGST, and Ms. Vertecchi from SDRN, Mr. Goran Stavrik (REUD) and Ms. Nadezhda Borodavko (UNDP Belarus) who helped the ROs to prepare this mission. 4. Results

4.1 Meetings with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture: During the first meeting with Ms.

Nadezhda Kotkovets, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, and her staff and invited officers, the Deputy Minister welcomed the mission and thanked FAO for the prompt attention and positive action to the request from the Government. She explained the context of the request and expressed the high interest and priority that the Government has given to this project. She confirmed the Government’s commitment to support the project and concomitant actions and offered all support from the MOFA and other national institutions. The ROs thanked the attention and described the purpose of the mission and FAO’s comprehensive approach to bioenergy which include, among others, technical, economic, environmental, energy policy and food security issues. Copies of the document “Introducing the International Bioenergy Platform (IBEP)” were given to them. Also, the general characteristics and requirements for TCP projects were addressed, including the need to count with a counterpart institution, a national focal point during the formulation phase and a National Project Coordinator during the execution phase, and the need to hire national and international consultants for specific specialized activities as per specific terms of reference. The general approach to the project and possible amendments to existing proposal were also addressed. The officers also requested further information, and referred to the aim of the mission to better define needs and priorities, and potential constraints and/or problems for project execution. The technical and economic issues affecting the feasibility of biofuel production from rapeseed cultivated in contaminated land, including policy, environmental and development issues were discussed. It was understood that an economic analysis had been done already, ant the ROs received from Mr. Valeri Belski from the National Academy of Sciences, a copy of the summary of such studies. It was also informed to the ROs that there was already a pilot plant facility for extraction of oil from rapeseed and for processing it into biodiesel, in Novoyelnya. The ROs requested a visit to this plant to be included in the mission programme. They received from Dr. Valery Ivanovich Belsky, of the Scientific Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Problems, Belarusian State University, a copy (in Russian) of the technical aspects including a description of the pilot plant for biodiesel production located in Novoyelnya. The ROs were further informed by the Deputy Director General of the Scientific Center for Mechanisation of Agriculture, National Academy of Sciences,

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that a mixture of diesel with rapeseed oil, also called “biodiesel”, was being produced at the same facility, where the oil is extracted from the seeds and mixed with diesel. Other participants in the meeting expressed that the project could contribute to complete and modernize the plant for biodiesel production, and to introduce new approaches to rapeseed production and productivity, including the yields per hectare, the oil contents in the seed, and the extraction rates. Another issue, not mentioned before this mission, was the interest in the use of the straw from the plant, which may contain radionuclides depending on the particular agricultural production conditions, the use of the oil for lubricants, and the use of the cake as a protein source. The potential need for subsidies or taxes was mentioned, given that the price of diesel is around US$ 0.55/liter, while the price of crude oil is around US$ 0.50 to 0.55/liter, and therefore the production of biodiesel would not be competitive. However, for the sake of seeking energy self sufficiency and energy security, to have 25 % of fuel use covered by local fuels, mechanisms for making it feasible should be found. As an example, processing the seeds for value addition and keeping that value in the country, through the implementation of an integrated utilization strategy could be one of the options, together with proper land use especially for the Chernobyl-affected areas. The ROs stressed the need also to balance energy security with food security and environmental protection.

4.2 Meetings with the UNDP: Prior to the mission, the ROs had received the support from the UNDP Office to facilitate the mission, including the hiring of an interpreter, local transportation and coordination with the MOFA, which was duly thanked by the ROs. The ROs explained the purpose of the mission. The UNDP Resident Representative and the Programme Officer explained the scope of projects and activities of the agency in Belarus. Among those, UNDP is executing projects on the climate change Focal Area, regarding the use of wood waste and peat (a highly organic material found in wet or damp regions, composed of partially decayed vegetable matter, dried for use as fuel) as a source of energy (US$3 million for 4 years), to produce heat and power. Another project deals with promoting energy efficiency in buildings, and small projects for renewable energy projects, mainly hydropower. Regarding FAO’s project management, the UNDP Officers indicated that the administrative arrangements will need some discussion and guidance from UNDP. It may be convenient that the project is managed from FAO HQ to facilitate execution. The ROs explained FAO’s approach and activities in bioenergy. The IBEP document was given to them the ROs received from the UNDP Officers the following documents: “The Chernobyl Forum: 2003-2005”, Second revised version, International Atomic Energy Agency, 2006; a UNDP Belarus package of documents and reports; and a copy of an Internet of 23 October 2006, with the news regarding the “biodiesel” mixture in the already mentioned Novoyelnya plant. The production of biogas from weeds and other vegetable materials mixed with pig or chicken manure, and the production of ethanol from potatoes were briefly discussed. The ROs received some administrative information kindly provided to facilitate project formulation.

4.3 Meeting at Comchernobyl: The ROs were received by high ranking staff of the Committee, thanked for the attention and explained the purpose of the mission. The Committee Officers expressed that not only the agricultural and environmental but also the social and economic issues and challenges should be addressed by any project related to the Chernobyl-affected area. The radiation safety must be assured in relation to agricultural activities, as to extract as little radiation as possible from the soil with the greatest possible returns. Production of non-food or “technical” crops would be a safe solution, with rapeseed being one of the most promising options, even for just raw

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oil production, where radionuclides of 137Cs and 90Sr would be in negligible amounts. The policy, they indicated, aims at minimizing exposure, increasing useful area, and maximizing economic, social and environmental benefits. The social and recovery issues must be added to the potential benefits. The different studies done by various national institutes lead by the MOFA and the National Academy of Sciences were mentioned, including the standards for radioactive contamination of land, foods, and non food products. As an example, up to 37 kBq/m2 is considered a safe level; from 37 to 185 kBq/m2 is a territory that has to be monitored and less than 2 weeks/year of permanence is recommended; from 185 to 555 kBq/m2 the countermeasures and social protection measures must be in place (and nobody should live there); and in any case, rapeseed is to be planted if the level is below 1440 kBq/m2. Standards also exist for different plant and animal products, and for distinct stages/conditions or parts/components of those products. The selection of the proper varieties of rapeseed for biodiesel in contaminated land is an important issue, including aspects of frost resistance, yield, oil content, soil fertility and radionuclide absorption. They considered that monitoring of radionucleids in oil, cake and biodiesel would be important as a safety concern. The importance of biodiesel for energy security and environmental protection was remarked by the committee members, and also considered that the current technology is at the experimental level in Belarus, and that it would be advisable to have the processing as close as possible to the agricultural production area, to minimize transport costs. An area of ca. 250,000 ha was mentioned as potential for further rapeseed culture development. The different studies in the country were briefly mentioned, and the ROs received the following documents: “20 Years after the Chernobyl Catastrophe”, National Report, Comchernobyl 2006; and a booklet on standards for dairy products (in Russian).

4.4 Meeting at the Research Institute of Radiology and Laboratory: The ROs explained the purpose of the mission and thanked for the attention. The Director informed that with technical and financial assistance from the US, they investigated 20 varieties of winter and 20 of summer rapeseed. They classified those varieties according to accumulation of radionuclides. The same Officer mentioned that he went for a study tour to the US to visit rapeseed production and processing facilities, and also to other countries, mentioning that in Germany rapeseed oil is used directly in different engines as fuel or as a lubricant. An area of ca. 265,000 ha was mentioned as needing attention to be rehabilitated, out of 1.2 million ha of contaminated land, aiming at increased yields (over 2 MT/ha from 5-10 kg of seed), lower costs, and higher oil extraction rates (than 34 %). The selection of varieties between those with low contents of erucic acid and thus desirable for edible oils but with less resistance to winter, versus those for biodiesel and other “technical” uses with higher erucic acid contents but better frost resistance must be considered. The existence of various industrial plants already processing rapeseed into edible oil was mentioned (apparently at 140,000 MT/year overall), which implies that the technologies of extraction and refining are well known and developed in Belarus, with the cake being used as a protein source for animal feeding, but still with needs for more advanced and cost-efficient processing technologies to enhance overall efficiency. Seed export vs. value addition must be analysed. The social side would require training of farmers to enable people to become self sufficient. The laboratories of the Institute are well staffed and equipped with a range of instruments for analytical tests, both on the physical-chemical as well as the radioactivity aspects. Examples of equipment are atomic absorption

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spectrophotometers, chromatographs, etc. The laboratories are certified according to ISO 17025 and authorized by the Government for radioactivity analysis.

4.5 Meeting at the National Academy of Sciences: Eleven high level staff members participated in a meeting with the ROs. The Deputy Director General welcomed the mission, thanked FAO for the response to the request on which the Academy was fully involved, and indicated that they were very interested in the rapeseed project, and also in the food quality and safety project. The ROs indicated that they would raise the issue of this pending project with the relevant FAO officers. He welcomed FAO’s assistance based on information and experience in other countries and briefly described the scope of activities and the specialized institutes. The ROs thanked for the attention and explained the purpose of the mission and FAO’s approach to bioenergy and gave them the IBEP document, and asked about the area to be covered out of the 1.2 million ha. The comprehensive systems approach was briefly explained, including food security, policy, social, environmental, economic and technical aspects. The work fashion of TCP project was also briefly explained, as well as project execution processes, and also next probable steps including project document preparation in FAO and revision/completion in Belarus before final submission and hopefully approval. The scientists present indicated that they have done significant research and development regarding the different issues that the project would be addressing, and that those activities would continue in parallel to the project activities. As an example, it was mentioned that they have done the selection of 18 varieties to increase productivity. The main variety in the country is Brassica napus Linnaeus v. bieris. They estimated that from 220,000 to 250,000 ha could be considered as realistic out of potential 500,000 ha, maybe to be covered in progression through several years for rapeseed, which would include the use of land not effectively used and in affected areas. They consider that production of biodiesel can be both useful for the country and profitable. They indicated that work is also carried out in conjunction with Belarus State University. In fact, the biodiesel experimental plant has been developed within that partnership. The production of other forms of bioenergy including biogas, ethanol and heat from burning straw and other materials including fast growing wood and peat were mentioned as interesting possibilities for the country. Integrating biodiesel and other biofuels into the overall energy balance could be favourable for Belarus. The different uses of rapeseed were discussed, and the processing technologies were briefly described, including the fact that there are 10 industrial plants processing rapeseeds in the country, and there are three pilot-level plants, one of which is for a continuous esterification process in Novoyelnya, of which Dr. Vladimir V. Simirsky (BSU) is one of the leader scientists. The studies of the Academy regarding soil decontamination and radionuclei absorption by different plant materials were also mentioned, as Dr. Putyatin has developed considerable research, including work with the IAEA. The ROs were offered, and just after the mission received from Dr. Y. Putyarin of the Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry (BRISSA) the following document: “Quantitative and temporal assessment of 137Cs and 90Sr biofixation by organic wastes in agro-ecosystems”, by Y. Putyatin and T. Seraya, Belorussian Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry (BRISSA). International Conference on Protection of the environment from the Effects of Ionizing Radiation, Stockholm, Sweden, 6-10 October 2003, IAEA-CN-109, p.135-138. Hence, the improvement of industrial processes to lower costs and increase efficiency would be a priority issue. The issue of straw disposal was addressed as another priority

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issue, including burning, as a possible project focus area. Agricultural technologies and practices in contaminated land and for biodiesel production purposes would also be a third priority issue. The overall optimization of the bioenergy chain would also be priority. They indicated that oil quality and biodiesel standards have been developed, as well as quality control laboratory procedures and methods.

4.6 Meeting at the Novoyelnya Plant: The ROs thanked for the attention and explained the purpose of the mission and the scope of the FAO project, and the District Authority indicated the importance of social aspects and farmers’ participation, which his Office would be willing to promote. The university scientist informed that he developed this technology, and had taken several study tours and visits to many countries to see and learn the technology of oilseed processing into biodiesel. In this plant the so-called “biodiesel” (rapeseed oil mixed at 5 % with diesel) has been successfully produced and tested. They also showed concerns regarding the use of the straw. This facility is part of an enterprise that offers maintenance services to agricultural equipment for local farmers. The seed processing part is a conventional, medium-scale plant with the screw pressing of seeds, clarification, filtration and storage basic operations (see Annex 5). The cake comes out with 10 % oil and they need to lower it to at least 7 %. The biodiesel part is a pilot plant built to test technologies, potential yields, quality of the product, automation of the process, and cost analysis (see Annex 5). It is a modular and mobile plant (it can be uninstalled and taken to another location), of modern technology without moving parts (in the separation operation) on which they even have a patent. It is based on Polish technology. Basically the oil is mixed with methyl alcohol and NaOH and/or KOH as catalysts, in a reactor to obtain methyl esters and glycerine, followed by purification of the esters through separation, filtration, washing, deaeration and vacuum evaporation. Glycerine is also purified. Production rate can be 365 liter/hr of esters to 5,000 MT/year, depending on the processing conditions. They consider important to have a closed system from seed production, processing, biodiesel production and utilization, and to be able to optimize of the whole process to lower costs (which would also include lowering seed costs and crude oil costs).

4.7 Meeting at the Committee for Energy Efficiency: The mission was met by six members of the Committee. The ROs thanked for the attention explained the purpose of the mission and FAO’s approach to bioenergy. The Committee members indicated that the issue of bioenergy is highly relevant for the country. They consider the rapeseed oil to biodiesel initiative an very important one and welcomed FAO’s support through a specific project. They would also consider other biomass sources including wood to be produced in contaminated land. They described projects in different energy aspects such as “mini heating” stations, heat and power stations, wood waste processing for combustion and gasification, biogas production in animal farms, direct combustion, hydro energy, etc. and their contribution to standard setting. They insisted that energy saving measures and practices were also important, including energy savings in agro-industrial plants to increase efficiency, which they advised to consider in the rapeseed project.

4.8 Meeting with the World Bank: The ROs thanked for the attention explained the purpose of the mission and FAO’s approach to bioenergy. The Bank’s Officer explained the projects related to the energy area. One on social infrastructure, which includes energy efficiency measures in the social sector, with boiler replacement, heat substations, thermal rehabilitation, etc., is considered a successful project. The other one has a post-Chernobyl recovery focus, including the connection of households to natural gas systems for heating, to prevent people from using contaminated wood. She

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pointed out that the WB Office has developed a country strategy, and recommended the mission important documents. Just after the meeting, the ROs received through the electronic mail the following document: Belarus: addressing challenges facing the energy sector, Infrastructure Department, Europe and Central Asia Region. World Bank, 2006.

4.9 Debriefing Meeting at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture: During this meeting the ROs informed the Deputy Minister and her collaborators on the findings of the mission. A preliminary proposal for project objectives, outputs, activities and general terms of a work plan and budget, including possible needs regarding training, equipment, FAO assistance, international consultants and national personnel were discussed. The general operational procedures for project document finalization, including general technical and management coordination were also addressed, and it was agreed that tentatively a draft project document would be ready before the end of the year.

5. Conclusions, Recommendations and Follow-up Actions

5.1 It was established that bioenergy issues, use of contaminated land considering the

potential implications to human health and pollution, and agro-industrial development are key themes in the Government’s priorities, with important background work and information, and with institutional capacity, policy development and possible access to funding to ensure for follow-up and sustainability of the interventions.

5.2 As envisaged, from a technical viewpoint the project’s subject matter goes beyond just producing rapeseed for biodiesel, as it deals with the viability of doing it in contaminated land through production and agro-industrial manufacturing (rapeseed oil and biodiesel plus by-products) and end-use, in a technical and economic feasible manner, where social benefit and safety and environmental factors, as well as energy policies and sustainability, must also be addressed.

5.3 The objective and nature of the project is to be re-defined for the development of a comprehensive technical and economic set of actions to facilitate viable biodiesel production and use in Belarus. This would include completing missing information and carrying out comprehensive studies for the optimization of key factors in the rapeseed bioenergy chain, to enhance viability.

5.4 Hence, as a follow-up action, a proposal under technical assistance project (TCP) criteria has to be prepared. In general, this FAO TCP could focus on conducting a technical and economic analysis of the feasibility of biodiesel production from rapeseed cultivated in contaminated land. If the conclusions and recommendations are positive, and if appropriate, FAO would also stand ready to provide assistance for preparing a full project for external funding.

5.5 Specifically, this mission concluded that the main issues are the following:

• The project has to take a comprehensive approach and view the whole system, from variety selection, land preparation and rapeseed production, to rapeseed processing to extract oil and transesterification for biodiesel production, to biodiesel utilization.

• Within this approach, the policy (prices, imports, environment, energy, agricultural, Chernobyl issues), economic, social, environmental and safety aspects are to be considered in addition to the marketing (use and prices) and technological (agricultural production and agro-industrial processing) issues. Possible community (producers) participation is to be considered.

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• The project is to define the most updated rapeseed production technologies and practices, including the estimation of potential agricultural production levels.

• The project is to define the best technologies and practices to optimize the oil extraction and transesterification processes, including the determination of materials and energy balances and unit costs, as well as the potential yields and agroindustrial production levels. Safety issues regarding radioactivity both at production as well as processing and utilization stages will be considered.

• Based on the above, the more viable conditions for biodiesel production, with projections into the future, will be estimated.

• The project size is to be based on considering as priority area the 1.2 x 106 ha of contaminated land, from which the project location is to be defined in districts to be identified by the MOFA in coordination with concerned national institutions. For this, it is to be considered that about 10 % of that land will be available for rapeseed plantations. Based on the social context of Government policies, specific districts may be chosen for social participation in the project.

• The project may consider supporting activities such as a national conference with international lecturers meeting in Belarus, and capacity building including a study tour and training.

• The process of project document formulation and project inception is to have a formal counterpart, which at the Governmental level will be the MOFA, and a focal point will be Mr. Valeri Belski from the National Academy of Sciences.

• Efficient coordination with the MOFA and the focal point, directly and through the Embassy of Belarus in Italy, and the support of the UNDP Office in Belarus for the administrative aspects, are essential for a successful project.

5.6 Given the importance of the project, it was agreed that the project document would be ready before the end of 2006. The Vice-Minister offered all the support and action required from the Government’s side.

5.7 Follow-up actions: o To finalize the draft project document, to be done by AGST and SDRN in

consultation with AGPC, REUP and TCOT (and other Services, as appropriate) and to be sent to the MOFA through the Embassy in Italy

o To complete the information as required, by the MOFA and the National Academy of Sciences.

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6. Annexes

Annex 6.1 Terms of Reference of the Mission

TERMS OF REFERENCE

FAO Expert Mission TCP Request 6-III-BYE-20 – “Rape Culture and biofuel production on Chernobyl- affected land”,

Belarus

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the FAO Regional Representative for Europe, under the technical leadership of AGST and SDRN, in coordination with TCOT and REUP, and in close collaboration with other concerned technical services in FAO, the joint AGST/SDRN mission members will provide multidisciplinary technical support in the confirmation of project context, previous work, scope and focus of activities as an input to the formulation of the project document. Concretely, the mission will have the following responsibilities:

• Participate in a meeting with key national experts and government officials, to discuss general approach to the project and possible amendments to existing proposal;

• Hold interviews and discussions with key experts and stakeholders regarding information availability, needs and priorities, and potential constraints and/or problems, paying particular attention to technical, economic, environmental, energy policy and food security issues;

• Discuss the specific focus of the project regarding a technical and economic analysis of the feasibility of biofuel production from rapeseed cultivated in contaminated land, including policy, environmental and development issues;

• Discuss with national experts and government counterparts specific project objectives, outputs, activities and work plan and budget and assess possible needs regarding training, equipment, FAO assistance, international consultants and national personnel;

• Interact on general operational procedures for project document finalization, including general technical and management coordination;

• Prepare an end-of-mission executive report presenting the findings, results, conclusions and recommendations for follow-up.

Structure: Two HQ officers, one each from AGST and SDRN.

Specific Responsibilities:

• The SDRN Officer will address issues such as: o bioenergy production policies; o energy and environmental policies; o liquid fuels legislation and certification; o agricultural and land use and land tenure issues; o social economic implications;

• The AGST Officer will address issues such as: o technology and engineering for rapeseed processing and comprehensive utilization o characteristics of associated agricultural chains

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o biodiesel production and utilization o other technological issues related to biodiesel production

Duration: 4 working days. 23 – 26 October

Duty station: Minsk, Belarus.

Language: English.

Annex 6.2 Itinerary

Date Item

22 October Travel Rome to Minsk

23-26 October Mission: meetings in Minsk and field visits

27 October Travel Minsk to Rome

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Annex 6.3 List of people met

NAME POSITION PHONE, E-MAIL

Kotkovets, Nadezhda N. First Deputy Minister, The Ministry of Agriculture and Foodstuffs of Belarus

++ 17 227 04 45 kanc@mshp.minsk.by

Mr Vasili Prudnikov Chair of the Main Department of Foreign Economic Activity of the MOA)

Mr G. Romaniuk Head of the Main Department of Plant Growing of the MOA

Mr Frants Minko Head of the Main Department of Mechanization and Technical Progress of the MOA

Ms Zinaid Basalyeva Head of the Sector of Agricultural Radiology and Environmental Protection

Dashkov, Vladimir Nikolaevich

Deputy Director General of the Centre for Mechanisation of Agriculture, NAS

Pilink, Yadviga Edwardwona

Centre for Plant Farming , Head of Laboratory for Selection and Cultivation of

280-84-98

Belsky, Valery Ivanovien Institute of Physical-Chemical Problems

simirsky@bsu.by

Mr Viacheslav Matskevich

Chief Expert of the special inspection of the state control on the protection of ozone layer and climate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection

Antsypof Gennddiy, Vladimirovich

Rehabilitation Territories Department

227- 07-62

Putyatin, Yuri V. Group Leader, Belarusian Research Institute for Soil Science & Agrochemistry (BRISSA)

++ 17 212 090 20 putyatin@mail.belpak.by

Petiushev, Nikolai Nikolaevich

Deputy Director General of the “National Centre for Food, National Academy of Sciences”(NAS)

294-31-44 info@belproduct.com

Lapa, Vitaly Vitalyevich Director of the Institute of 212-07-51

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Soil Study and Agrochemistry, NAS

Kapustin, Nikolai Fedorovich

Centre for Mechanisation of Agriculture, Head of Laboratory for Fuel and Energy, NAS

280-84-98

Simirsky, Vladimir Viktrovia

Director, Centre for Agricultural Economics, Institute of Economics under the NAS

212-0433 belskij@tut.by

Gusakov, Vladimir Grigoryevien

Deputy Chairman of Presidium of the NAS

284-25-58 gusakov@mail.belpak.by

Privalov, Fedor Ivarovilh General Director, Centre for Agriculture NAS

284-05-75

Shevchuk, Valery Deputy Chairman, Committee on Problems of the Consequences of the Catastrophe at the Chernobyl NPP

++ 17 227 58 71 shevcu@komchem.org.by

Aheyets, Vladimir Director, Research Institute of Radiology

++ 232 51 68 20 rir@server.by.; Agey@server.by

Shirma, Roman R. Vice Chairman, Committee for energy Efficiency under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus

++ 17 227 5382 Energoeffekt@bc.by

Sergienko Viktor Stepanovich

227-22-39

Potemkiu Mikhail 227-36-79

Leonid Shenets First Vice-Chairman, Committee for energy Efficiency under the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus

227-45-48 energoeffekt@bc.by

Mr Georgy Ushaakevich Concern Belneftekhim

Mr. Vladimir Kuratnik Deputy Head of Department of Plant Farming

Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu UN Resident Coordinator, UN Belarus

++ 17 2105555; 227 4876 cihan.sultanoglu@undp.org

Mr. Dimitry Goloubovsky

Programme Officer, UNDP Belarus

++ 17 227 81 49 dmitry.goloubovsky@undp.org

Mr. Sasha Piskounov Interpreter (UNDP-FAO)

Ms. Ena Klochan Operations Officer, World Bank

++ 375 17 226-52-84 eklochan@worldbank.org

15

Annex 6.4 Programme

Programme of the Mission of Mr. Gustavo Best and Mr. Roberto Cuevas (FAO)

to the Republic of Belarus

Monday, October 23

10.00 – 12.00 – Meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, with Ms. Nadezhda Kotkovets (Deputy Minister of Agriculture), Mr. Vasili Prudnikov (Chair of the Main Department of Foreign Economic Activity of the MOA), Mr. G. Romaniuk (Head of the Main Department of Plant Growing of the MOA), Mr. Frants Minko (Head of the Main Department of Mechanization and Technical Progress of the MOA), Ms. Zinaida Basalayeva (Head of the Sector of Agricultural Radiology and Environmental Protection), Mr. Vladimir Dashkov (Deputy Director of the Scientific Center of Mechanization of the National Academy of Sciences), Ms. Yadviga Piliuk (Head of the Scientific Center of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences), Mr. Valeri Belski (Director of the Center of Agricultural Economy of the National Academy of Sciences), Mr. Viacheslav Matskevich (Chief expert of the special inspection of the state control on the protection of ozone layer and climate of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection), Mr. Gennady Antsipov (Chernobyl Committee), Mr. Georgy Ushakevich (Concern “Belneftekhim”), Mr. Yuri Putyatin (Group Leader, Laboratory of Monitoring of Soil Fertility and Ecology, Institute for Soil Scienсe and Agrochemistry BRISSA) 12.00 – 13.00 – Meeting with Ms. Cihan Sultanoglu, UN RC/UNDP RR, UNDP Belarus 15.00 – 17.45 – Meeting at Comchernobyl Tuesday, October 24

08.30 – 20.00 – Visit to the Scientific and Research Radiological Institute (Gomel) Wednesday, October 25

10.00 – 12.00 – Meeting at the National Academy of Sciences 12.30 – 19.30 – Visit to the Novoyelnya agro-industrial processing facility. Thursday, October 26

10.00 – 12.30 – Meeting at the Committee on Energy Efficiency 12.30 – 13.30 – Meeting at the World Bank, Belarus Country Office 14.30 – 15.00 – Meeting at the UNDP 15.00 – 16.30 – Meeting at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for review of the findings 1

16

Annex 6.5 Pictures of the Novoyelnya agro-industrial plant

17

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