Innovative Social Enterprise Helps Farmers Use their Bicycles to Grind Grains, Charge Batteries
Global Cycle Solutions (GCS) is a social enterprise started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US to develop and commercialize innovative, pedal-powered devices for villagers around the world, ranging from agricultural processing tools to green battery charging. GCS targets the world’s 550 million small-scale farmers living on less than $1/day.
Its first products are the bicycle-powered corn sheller and grain grinder, devices that can help farmers save a considerable amount of time and effort in the field. These products can be attached to any bicycle, using a universal GCS interface, and the bicycle retains its functionality when the devices are disengaged.
GCS has just started its operations in Arusha, Tanzania over the Summer 2009. It aims to leverage the country’s vast network of dealers (bicycles shops, hardware & agriculture stores, agri-dealers) who will sell the products to micro-entrepreneurs. Micro-entrepreneurs will in turn service local farmers by locally processing their production, allowing them to save time and effort.
A first pilot project conducted in Arusha suggested that micro-entrepreneurs can expect to recoup the purchasing cost in less than two weeks. Local microfinance organizations are being involved to help farmers access these products.
Tags: Africa, principle2, principle3, principle6, Tanzania
Aug 27, 2009
yeah its quite interesting.. i am interested in the product will u please get me attached with gcs
Sep 07, 2009
I would like to use your work in our production to inform small scale farmers innovation you have.
How can I intouch with you?
Sep 10, 2009
I’ve forwarded your contact information to the GCS representative.
Best, the Farming First Editor
Sep 20, 2009
We are working with small and marginal farmers in mid India for accessing them to markets and promoting sustainable agri practices. We seek how Farming First can support us strengthening the process.
Sep 24, 2009
i would like to have more precisely info pack for this kind of technology because am based in Zambia Africa . i want also to assist small scale farmers in our country as well.