Boeing launches smallholders initiative with RSB and South African Airways

In South Africa, Boeing is launching an initiative with South African Airways and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) to expand opportunities for “smallholder” farmers in Southern Africa to grow crops that produce sustainable fuels. The program builds on a global effort by Boeing, RSB and other partners to help farmers with small plots of land gain access to markets for sustainable biofuels and biomaterials. In the coming months, Boeing and RSB will work with Southern African stakeholders to create pilot programs to build knowledge and skills among groups of farmers who want to certify their crops as sustainable.

Over the long term, as Southern Africa gains capacity in this area, more farmers will be positioned to tap into demand for biofuel feedstocks that are certified to provide socio-economic value to communities without adverse impact to food supplies, fresh water or land use.