Switching to green, particularly if it does not improve the financial bottom line, is low on the agenda of manufacturing enterprises, especially micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. An appropriate enabling environment can change this. In the agriculture sector, there is a need to stimulate the market for sustainable manure production and consumption through a comprehensive review of the legal framework for processing animal waste and by creating standards for animal manure and introducing manure production subsidies. There is also a need to invest in professional livestock management systems and in sustainable and profitable operations, potentially through the grouping of cattle, dairy, sheep and goat operations around biogas plants. Setting up professionally managed packhouses is also a potential means of adding value to produce from agro-ecological zones, while addressing issues of traceability, certification and branding and facilitating distribution logistics.
In addition to identifying gaps in policies, regulations, laws and standards in the priority sectors to address potential roadblocks to green business development, the policy support component of SWITCH Africa Green supports the formulation of specific policies, regulations and standards and the establishment or strengthening of the institutions needed for resource-efficient and green businesses to emerge and grow.
