'''Multifunction Platform (MFP)''' is a concept and a structure developed by UNDP and deployed in a number of West African countries, and Tanzania and Zambia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Technological Innovation: Multi-functional Platforms in Mali |url=http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/research/ruralelectrification/casestudies/mali/index.shtml |website=Geni |accessdate=13 April 2020}}</ref> The idea has been to place an MFP in a village which, driven by a diesel engine, powers devices such as pumps and grain mills and generators. The UNDP has produced a number of reports on this project in Mali.<ref>''Energy and Environment'' [http://www.energyandenvironment.undp.org/undp/index.cfm?module=Library&page=DocumentList&LibraryID=8&RegionID=4&CountryID=MLI]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> There are few independent analyses of the development impact of the concept of the multifunctional platform, but an article in the journal ''Energy Policy'' provide a more nuanced view of programme achievements than impact assessments made public at earlier stages of the project.<ref>''Energy Policy'' [https://archive.today/20130202013215/http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2W-4XSSV3C-4/2/168d4100da1f1b87a2584912bde29b09]</ref>
The primary impact of the MFP has been on women's work (on reducing daily drudgery and opening up new opportunities in life) and the UNDP's deployment has been to women's organisations, with part local funding and part local grant.
In places where ''Jatropha'' is grown, a device, powered by the MFP, can crush the ''Jatropha'' seed. The oil produced is suitable for running the diesel engine, allowing the MFP to produce fuel for its own operation. The company Mali Biocarburant has carried out a pilot with in a number of villages in Mali.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rodriguez-Sanchez |first1=F. S. |title=Development and testing of business models for Jatropha powered Multifunctional Platforms (MFPs) for energy access services |journal=Mali Biocarburant SA |date=January 2010 |url=http://www.ease-web.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Final-report-MBSA.pdf |accessdate=13 April 2020 |location=Koulikoro, Mali|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211338/http://www.ease-web.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/Final-report-MBSA.pdf |archive-date=2014-08-12 }}</ref> Also, the Mali Folke Centre has reported on its success in this field.<ref>[http://www.malifolkecenter.org/ The Mali Folke Centre]</ref> Between 1999 and 2004, 500 MFPs were distributed in Mali.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sovacool |first1=Benjamin K. |last2=Clarke |first2=Shannon |last3=Johnson |first3=Katie |last4=Crafton |first4=Meredith |last5=Eidsness |first5=Jay |last6=Zoppo |first6=David |title=The energy-enterprise-gender nexus: Lessons from the Multifunctional Platform (MFP) in Mali |journal=Renewable Energy |date=1 February 2013 |volume=50 |pages=115–125 |doi=10.1016/j.renene.2012.06.024 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148112003758 |language=en |issn=0960-1481|url-access=subscription }}</ref>
More recently, the FACT Foundation has implemented a pilot programme in which biogas is used for co-fuelling MFP diesel engines.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140809164402/http://fact-foundation.com/ The FACT Foundation]</ref> In five villages in Mali, biogas systems were installed and connected to the MFP diesel engines.<ref>{{cite book |title=Productive Biogas: Current and Future Development |publisher=SNV Netherlands Development Organisation |isbn=978-90-822147-0-3 |url=http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/snv_fact_productive_biogas_2014_final.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812213019/http://www.snvworld.org/download/publications/snv_fact_productive_biogas_2014_final.pdf |accessdate=13 April 2020|archive-date=2014-08-12 }}</ref> First results look promising, although further work is required to improve the management of the biogas systems.
Volunteers from Engineers Without Borders have been involved with assessment of some MFP projects.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Owen |first1=Tom |title=Pottery Lessons |url=http://www.nigercurrents.ca/index.php/2006/08/09/p53 |website=Niger Currents |accessdate=13 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216195956/http://www.nigercurrents.ca/index.php/2006/08/09/p53 |archivedate=February 16, 2007 |date=August 9, 2006}}</ref>
Whereas the UNDP's projects have involved substantial injection of foreign expert advice, a low budget self-initiated approach was in recent times taken in Kiliba, DRC at Farm of Hope, a project of Fondation Chirezi.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927034940/http://aplaceof.info/kiliba/program1.htm Farm of Hope]}}</ref> However, that project failed to materialise.
==Further reading== *{{cite web |last1=Yoder |first1=Sheldon |title=Versatile engines power up rural African villages |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2012/0607/Versatile-engines-power-up-rural-African-villages |website=Christian Science Monitor |date=7 June 2012}} *{{cite book |title=Empowering Agriculture: Energy Options for Horticulture |date=March 2009 |publisher=United States Agency for International Development |url=http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/files/datastore/234-1386.pdf |accessdate=13 April 2020}} *{{cite web |last1=Weingart |first1=Jerome M. |title=Multi-function platforms: Enhancing economic productivity of rural communities |url=http://www.techmonitor.net/tm/images/4/44/03nov_dec_sf4.pdf |website=Techmonitor.net|date=2003 |accessdate=13 April 2020}}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Rural geography Category:Women's rights in Africa Category:Energy development Category:Inventions
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