Burundi's Banana Beer The new project company will establish a brewery to produce a modern bottled "blond" beer from local bananas. The bananas are produced in local plantations and farms. The company will be the only modern beer producer in Burundi, next to the Brarudi Brewery which produces beer from imported grains and ingredients. The brewery will have an initial capacity of 30,000 hectolitres annually, provide employment to 49 people and additional income to some 50 to 100 outgrowers.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Fatraco proposes to reserve 20% of nett profits annually for social contributions. The joint venture will prepare a CRS policy document and a plan for social activities, to be submitted under the first Result.The production will follow a HACCP approach but certification will not be completed during the PSI project phase. The aim will be to obtain HACCP and relevant ISO certification later.Outgrowers selected and trained by Fatraco will supply part of the bananas used as raw material. In selection of outgrowers, preference will be given to female headed households, ex-combatants, Batwa origin and suitable level of education.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsAt the end of the PSI phase the joint venture will employ 49 FTE with 18 at medium-/high-level. Two years after the PSI phase the joint venture expects to employ 106 persons with 36 at medium-/high-level. All staff will be on long-term contracts and the remuneration will be between 58 euro and 700 euro per month or 220% and 2700% of legal minimum wages. Employment conditions will be according to national law including health, inability and pension insurances. The CSR policy and principles outlined under Partners above will be adhered to. The partners will set up employee participation and a bonus payment system.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeKnowledge transfer will be a significant aspect of this project.Brewing beer from bananas in a professional brewery is completely new to Burundi and staff will be trained on all aspects of beer brewing based on bananas; procedure, process, standards and norms. Next to this 100 outgrowers will be trained (by Fatraco) to supply quality bananas. The training will consist of best practices on banana farming, quality standards, packaging and harvest timing.The brewery training programme further includes training on health, safety and HIV/AIDS and environmental awareness, all subjects also applicable in general society.The joint venture further plans to collaborate with the Université du Burundi, Faculté des Sciences Appliquées, and the Régie de Production et de Distribution de l'Eau et de l'Electricité (REGIDESO), by offering practical student/staff training and contacts with teachers.There are contacts with the Catholic University Leuven Belgium and the Institut Meurice, Anderlecht who will send trainees and staff visits.•	Chain effectsThe project will provide additional income to about 100 outgrowers through Fatraco. Participating outgrowers will be trained and receive free planting material but will not have long term contracts. They will receive a prepayment about one month before harvest as "retaining fee". Buying from outgrowers will be cash at farm-gate at 5% above actual local market prices with deduction of advance payments. Brewery employed buying agents will collect at farm-gate.The company (and Fatraco) will improve roads and water supply around brewery and farms.Distributors and retailers will benefit from sales margins and transporters form distribution. The total number of these subcontractors is estimated at 10.•	EnvironmentPrior to the construction of the brewery an EIA will be carried out.The project will ensure environmentally sustainable waste and effluent disposal through:- Peels (30% of input) will be shredded and composted.- Dregs after liquidization of pulp will be used as fish feed in 6 fishponds for production of Tilapia; effluent will be discharged in local stream.- Waste yeasts after filtering will be used as cattle feed.- Waste water will be treated in a Phyto filter before discharging in local stream.All effluent load will be monitored in the brewery laboratory.Outgrowers will be trained on best agricultural practices and environmental impact of banana cultivation and awareness.•	Position of womenThe brewery will employ and train 8 women out of 49 employees (16%). One women will work at medium-level, 7 will be operators and cleaners. In addition, many women will benefit from improved income as outgrowers and from social contributions sponsored by the project (e.g. school fees, school construction. Establishment of a 30,000 hl brewery for bottled banana beer to give added value to locally produced bananas.