Economic and socio-economic impact assessment for the Great Fish River Valley agro-ethanol project

Client: PGBI Engineers and Constructors Pty Ltd

Area: Great Fish River Valley Eastern Cape

Timeline: July 2007 – Current

Details: OneWorld carried out the socio-economic impact assessment for a feasibility study for a sugar beet and maize-to-ethanol facility in the Eastern Cape. Ten towns within the Great Fish River Valley (GFRV) were selected for a socio-economic review of the project catchment area. The project team made a field visit to the area and did thorough desk-top research on the relevant districts, municipalities and towns.

Thereafter the team carried out a macro-economic impact assessment of the proposed project on the local, regional and national economy. Specific indicators include:

  • Job creation – new opportunities and skills
  • Improving the basis for successful farming in the area (to include emerging farmers)
  • Wealth creation opportunities
  • Improvement to local infrastructure
  • Social upliftment for local people
  • Underpinning of existing irrigation schemes and the communities they support