The chance to have a control over the cost and availability of oil is a critical issue for farmers. The energetic independence is always an effective goal. The biodiesel give us that chance: the agrarian company produces the input (oil grains) and consumes the product (biodiesel). And the biodiesel replaces the gas-oil without changes at engines. This becomes an opportunity to set a ceiling to the energetic cost.

The Cooperative shares that goal and it’s the tool for its concretion. A biodiesel producing plant requires a minimum production volume to make the process profitable considering the costs (economic viability of the oil’s cost). This minimum volume is way bigger than a Cooperative’s farmer media. Therefore, Agricultores Federados Argentinos SCL is the right tool, not only for providing access to cheaper oil for its members, but for becoming the supply headquarters.

The Salto Grande Primary Center has been chosen by the Administration Council as the place to perform a pilot-plan in order to create our own oil. The first biodiesel and rapeseed seminar was performed there in 2004. There are members who cultivate rapeseed since then; and the first biodiesel and expeller producing plant will be installed. This plant was conceived in the BIOFAA project. Now Agricultores Federados Argentinos SCL takes the ownership of the BIOFAA Project being the first plant in Santa Fe and being part of a six pilot-plants batch in the country.

What is BIOFAA?

It’s a Federación Agraria Argentina initiative, based on the proposal of letting a farmer be able to make its own oil and protein floor. For the technological development, the project counted with the fundamental support of the National Scientific and Technologic Promotion, of the National Science and Technology Department.
Currently, the BIOFAA project it’s inside an agreement among Federación Agraria Argentina, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional of Villa María and IMEGEN from Tancacha. Also, Federación Agraria Argentina signed agreements with INTA Rafaela and INTA Marcos Juárez for rapeseed and protein floor for bovines and pigs researching.
With regards the AFA SCL project, the chosen target market (business plan) takes the rapeseed as the grain to produce biodiesel. Biodiesel and protein floors are produced with rapeseed. This way, two strategic supplies are produced: energy and food.

This is all translated in benefits for each associated member; for the Cooperative, by having synergies with more efficient members; for the national agrarian sector, by gaining independence and competitiveness; for the country, by improving its trade gap. The Cooperative becomes the tool that catalyzes and transforms reality into a common goal. And we go for more…