Jatropha curcas in Belize

Jatropha in Belize began 1997 with seeding Jatropha in tree nurseries. 1998/99 around 2.000 Jatropha trees were planted in rows of 7 m distance and 3,5 m space between individual plants.

This quite large distance was chosen to be able to do research  on a double utilization as plantation/pasture as well as having the possibility to intercropping with paprica, coffee and tomatos.

Actually there are another 10.000 seedlings in the tree nursery waiting to be planted. A first objective is the creation of 25 ha of Jatropha plantation on the project area.

25 ha of Jatropha plantation are going to be established in the near future

With a simple press oil should be produced for the tools, pumps and engines of the vocational training centre, the car park and the generator set of the project, as well as for tests and demonstrations.

Simultaneously  the programme "Physic nut cultivation in Belize" is going to be elaborated and presented to the appropriate ministries. Furtheron an evaluation of the possibilities of financing the activities will take place.

A feasibility study shall clarify if the permanent exploitation of the different aspects of Jatropha might be a real alternative to the common "slash and burn method". Also the economies of the production of biodiesel shall be studied.

In the rain forest of the Maya Ranch Reserve Jatropha is planted for scientific purposes. The results shall be used to develop strategies of reforestation in Central America. The project is scientifical monitored by the Institute of Forest Botany of the University of Freiburg, Germany.

In 2003, a new agro-forestry project financed by OAS, started: 

Development of sustainable land-use systems on degraded tropical pastures in Belize, Central America,
as a model for Mesoamerica and the Caribbean

For a short description of the project please click here!

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last modification:  26.08.06