Fuel, fertilizer and family income:
Steps towards a new approach to conservation and development
Progress report from Shirika la Uendelezaji Teknolojia, Sutek
on development ofJatropha-fueled lamps and stoves under funding from
Worldwide Fund for Nature, WWF, Arusha, Tanzania, 16 March 1998
SUTEK is a registered Tanzanian non-profit company dedicated to the development and dissemination of technologies that improve productivity and raise income, especially for rural households. In May 1997 Sutek secured a small but very significant grant from WWF Tanzania, the first external funding towards development of a lamp and cookstove based on a source of fuel that is locally available, relatively cheap and totally renewable: oil from the common hedgerow shrub Jatropha curcas.
Work actually began in 1996 by an informal group of development workers concerned with the rapidly deterioration caused by deforestation, and its impact on wildlife habitat, biodiversity, water catchments and other aspects of the environment. They decided to explore whether an alternative fuel source might help alleviate pressures on woody biomass resources. Investigations centered on Jatropha oil because of its clean burning quality, the potential to use its seedcake as an organic fertilizer, and the potential of Jatropha curcas in land reclamation.
The vision is decentralized production of home-grown liquid fuel that provides domestic energy for lighting and cooking, a fuel of diesel engines, organic fertilizer as a by-product, and income for rural households. The first steps towards this vision are the development of efficient, affordable prototype models of a lamp and cookstove fueled by Jatropha, and investigation of this plant, i.e., where is it widely grown in Tanzania, and experiences in other counties using plant oils for domestic energy. It was decided to postpone an equally vital investigation of socio-economic issues until working models of the lamp and cookstove were available to demonstrate to potential users, especially women in rural households.
To a large extebt the objectives of this initial grant were achieved. A functioning lamp and stove now exist, and some useful data has been gathered. The prototype lamp works well and is ready for field testing. The cookstove prototype can serve to demonstrate the potential for this kind of fuel, but further development and testing are required to overcome certain design challenges.
This report discusses the project's accomplishments, findings and next steps. Those of us involved are pleased by progress made to date. Yet we are also impatient to move this important work forward at an accelerated pace. This will require additional funding.
Jatropha is not a panacea for the enormous environmental and food security problems facing Tanzania and other counties. However, it does appear to be a complementary alternative in renewable energy, organic agriculture and rural income generation.
SUTEK and the Jatropha working group are grateful for the financial assistance provided by WWF and for the intellectual and moral encouragement proved by many others. By wide circulation of this preliminary report, we continue our commitment to networking. Advice and commentary from all interested parties is most welcomed:
P.O. Box 1409, Arusha, TZ; email: tpress@twiga.com or in North America:
Box 231, RFD 2, Chester, Vermont 05143 USA; email: otto@vermontel.com
This project is at the intersection of several key challenges and opportunities:
In 1996 a group of development workers based in Arusha decided to explore the possibilities of Jatropha 2). Using their own resources they began to investigate the needs in Tanzania, while also searching for practical lessons from further afield.
They learned that Jatropha is used in countries from Mexico to Nepal for a great many purposes, from erosion control and live fencing, to soap making and medicinal applications. They also found numerous recommendations for development of oil from Jatropha curcas, as in this World Bank study:
"Curcas oil has shown promise as a source of energy. Seed harvesting, oil extraction and processing can be accomplished in a decentralized, rural environment providing opportunities for business cooperatives and small businesses. Production of a renewable energy source on a local-scale can lead to self-sufficiency or a decrease in dependency on fuelwood gathering (particularly benefitting women) which is often a cause of environmental degradation in many areas (as well as a time consuming task)." 3)
More findings on Jatropha's potential are in Annex A. Although some two billion people rely on traditional fuels, our searches have yet to uncovered evidence that anyone has successfully used Jatropha or other plant oils to mitigate domestic energy demands that threaten environments. In fact, when colleagues in other countries were contacted, their typical response was to urge the Tanzania group to develop this potential and then share findings. Still, the search continues.
In early 1997, under the umbrella of the SUTEK, the Jatropha group requested a modest grant of US$4,868 from the Tanzania office of Worldwide Fund for Nature, WWF. The grant was meant to help secure a supply of Jatropha seeds, test their use in the ram press, and take the first steps towards developing local models of a Jatropha-fueled lamp and cookstove.
WWF was able to make a grant under this request, but due to funding constraints it was only for about 75% of the requested amount, i.e., $3,667. Nonetheless, the budget was adjusted to fit the situation, and this start-up funding allowed the work to go ahead much faster.
The objectives of the WWF grant were have been reached in large part. It took several months longer than anticipated, and was less complete than optomistic projections, but certainly represents real progress. Technical and logistical obstacles were overcome, and a functioning lamp and stove were developed. Here is a summary of the project's technical findings. (See Annex B for Erwin Protzen's complete report.)
The transportation line item was eliminated when the budget request was reduced, so seeds were collected on an opportunistic basis, i.e., while pursuing other activities in rural areas. The resulting delay in seed procurement threw off the timing of planned lamp and stove development, with the interesting result that researchers opted to experiment with other plant oils in addition to Jatropha oil. These tests were mainly done with the prototype lamp which is now ready for field testing. Unfortunately, the lack of transport meant little progress was made in studying Jatropha distribution in Tanzania or in learning about other aspects such as seed maturity in different zones or seed yields per plant or per land unit.
Successful modification of simple kerosene lamps did not carry over directly to the cookstove development. Two lines of stove development were undertaken, an oil-and-water stove and modifications of existing models of kerosene cookstoves. While the oil-and-water model did function adequately with Jatropha oil, its size and relative complexity make it applicable only for large kitchens like schools or restaurants.
The work on modification of existing kerosene cookstoves did produce a working model that demonstrates the principle of Jatropha as a household cooking fuel. At the same time, several problems indicate the need for further research. These concern the limited wicking capacity of this somewhat viscous oil and the tendency of standard textile wicks to 'coke up' with carbon deposits after several hours, reducing heat production.
Promising directions for renewed research include: finding ways of increasing air supply, testing new options for wick materials, burning whole seeds either crushed or as pre-burned 'charcoal', and perhaps a different approach altogether, such as a low-tech pressure stove, among other ideas.
Concurrent with these partially funded activities, the Jatropha group continued a number of related efforts using their own resources during this past year. These can be summarized briefly as follows:
* The Jatropha concepts were presented to various development professionals and Tanzanian government officials, engendering considerable interest including the express support of Prof. Iddi, Director of Forestry and Beekeeping.
* Harald Peeters, an Belgian agricultural engineer with ACT/Incofin in Mto wa Mbu was encouraged to plant a long hedge of Jatropha cuttings in May 1997 which began producing seeds by the following November. Mr. Peeters recently introduced the project's prototype Jatropha-fueled lamp to a local women's group whose members are now gathering seeds from the abundant hedges surrounding that area's irrigation fields to begin modest oil production for use in these new models of lamps.
* A network of interested parties in a dozen countries has slowly been gathered by the Tanzania Jatropha group, including foresters, agroforesters, seed specialists, oilseed processors, renewable energy experts, appropriate technologists, and researchers in various fields.
* Sharing Tanzania proposals for Jatropha use with colleagues working on oilseed processing in Zambia appears to have contributed to their securing funds to allow Zambian farmers to begin exploiting Jatropha more fully.
* A visit to Mali in January 1998 produced information about activities there that focus on use of Jatropha oil as a 'biodiesel' petroleum substitute in stationary engines like grinding mills, and the reported planting of 2,000 km of Jatropha hedges to protect fields from animals.
* An international symposium on Jatropha was held in Nicaragua in 1997. The papers presented at this event dealt with sophisticated processing and use of the oil, and not with direct application for domestic energy purposes.
* On-going literature and internet searches continue to yield interesting connections and to widen the network. For example, pursuit of references in a 1985 stoves manual regarding work on liquid fuels resulted in a forthcoming collaboration with the Renewable Energy Development Institute in Geneva to test Jatropha oil in some experimental, inexpensive pressurized burners.
Progress on the lamp is very exciting. Some people, including colleagues working in southern Sudan and Uganda, have suggested that the lamp alone is reason enough to begin promotion of Jatropha in the vast areas of Africa that are in the dark 10-14 hours a day, because kerosene is not dependably available or is not affordable by most rural households.
The stove development, testing and refinement is more complex and will take more time than the lamp. It is likely that several models will be developed for different situations, and that different plant oil fuels may prove preferable in various locations 4). It is crucial that all stoves be designed to work within the existing cultural and cooking patterns of women who prepare food, but also bear the burden of fuel procurement.
The energy crisis is intricate, with great variations in impact and intensity within a country. Household energy systems often involve a number of fuels and strategies for their procurement and use. These strategies certainly have changed in recent years as dead firewood becomes more and more scarce, and scavenging or even buying of firewood takes more and more of women's resources. The lingering belief that firewood is a 'free' good, despite ever increasing burdens on women to procure it, has historically hampered efforts to promote planting of fuelwood tree species or the use of 'improved' woodstoves in rural areas. In many cases the solution to a problem that seemed obvious to outsiders' analysis does not match the short-term, survival-oriented priorities of rural households 5).
In order for Jatropha or any promoted species to take hold rapidly, it needs to fit into and enhance the existing production system: agriculture, agroforestry, agropastoralism or some other combination of land uses. As a multi-use species, Jatropha's attraction to producers lies in its combined contribute to crop protection, soil fertility, domestic lighting, cooking fuel and household income through sale of excess oil. For people living without access to 'free' firewood, Jatropha might offer other advantages, such as cheaper, cleaner and safer cooking and lighting. Site-specific, participatory research would increase understanding of the energy needs of specific populations.
It would be wise to consider the needs of Tanzania's burgeoning urban and peri-urban populations for whom domestic energy is a purchased commodity. Energy marketing channels are already very well established and are potentially amenable to new fuels. For example, one Arusha charcoal retailer readily agreed to handle sale of Jatropha oil if it was priced competitively with other cooking fuels and if there was a market for it.
Jatropha's ability to grow in arid and semi-arid conditions gives it a possible role in rehabilitation of degraded lands. It is often in these marginal areas with few economic opportunities that people turn to charcoal production, thus further exacerbating environmental deterioration. As awareness of the long term costs of these practices increases (and as authorities take steps to limit unrestricted or licensed tree felling) these people could shift from destructive and inefficient energy production using woody biomass, to truly renewable and sustainable energy production using Jatropha plantings that simultaneously revive barren lands.
To date the work of the Jatropha group has been undertaken on a piecemeal basis, fitted around other commitments. It has depended on voluntary contributions of time and material, with the valuable exception of the first WWF grant. Clearly it would be much more effective to generate core financial resources to move forward in a coordinated, accelerated and thoroughly professional manner.
Near term work over the next six months needs to continue and intensify on several fronts. Field testing of the lamp and initial steps towards regular Jatropha seed collection and processing, such as ACT is attempting in Mtu wa Mbu, is essential. Likewise, tackling the stove design issues of enhanced air intake, better wicking performance, and exploring other approaches should not be delayed. The networking and literature/internet efforts, although sporadic and unsystematic to date, have produced important results. They must be expanded and become more methodical.
An important step that has not yet been undertaken for lack of financial resources is to conduct field studies to examine key economic, cultural, marketing and institutional issues in preparation for a pilot project. Some of these issues are outlined in Annex C. This feasibility/design exercise will involve an inter-disciplinary team. One responsibility of this exercise will be the recommendation of possible sites for a pilot activity, using such criteria as: perceived local needs, current plantings of Jatropha (or other plant oil species), on-site collaborating agencies and donor interest.
If these near term pre-project tasks can be completed in a timely fashion, it will be possible by the second half of 1998 to present a detailed proposal for the first phase of concentrated development and field testing of technologies, training local artisans in lamp and stove manufacture, agricultural extension, and practical research of Jatropha through a demonstration program in an environmentally threatened area.
Cost implications still have to be worked out in detail but indicative figures can be given for the near-term tasks. Stove design and testing to address the issues noted above can be accomplished for as little as US$14,000, given the existing base of experience in Arusha. At a cost about US$28,000 the feasibility/design exercise (US$24,000) and networking/internet research (US$4,000) will involve both national and international expertise. Thus, SUTEK is now looking for total funding in the range of US$42,000 to carry forward this exciting work.
Information on Africa's fuelwood crisis and uses of Jatropha oil
Excerpts from documents dealing with Africa's fuelwood crisis and the potential of alternative fuels, especially Jatropha oil.
On environmental degradation: "Rapid population growth without corresponding improvements in agricultural technology, has increased pressure on the limited arable lands of Africa. ... Populations growth also generates more need for fuelwood, building materials and other products traditionally extracted for the natural vegetation. The result has been growing deforestation, increased wind and water erosion and declining productivity of agricultural lands, in what appears to be an ever-widening spiral of environmental degradation." "Agroforestry in Sub-saharan Africa: A Farmer's Perspective", Cynthia C. Cook and Mikael Grut; World Bank Technical Paper no. 112, 1989.
On limits to fuel from tree planting: "Africa's needs for wood cannot be met from her remaining forest resources. Most of the demand for wood comes from people living in agricultural areas. A large part of the urban wood demand is also for fuelwood and charcoal rather than timber and pulpwood ... Agroforestry cannot be expected to solve the fuelwood crisis in Africa; other solutions must be actively sought to meed domestic energy needs." [Emphasis added] Ibid.
On growing Jatropha: " Jatropha Curcas is adapted to a wide range of climates and soils. It can grow in almost any type of soil whether gravelly, sandy, of saline and thrives even in the poorest soils and rock crevices. Climatically Jatropha prefers the warmer regions of tropics and sub-tropics, although it does well in slightly cool conditions and can withstand a light frost. Its water requirements are extremely low and withstands long periods of drought by shedding most of its leaves to reduce transpiration losses. ... Because of the hardy nature of the species and the fact that is can be propagated easily by branch cuttings or direct seed sowing, it makes an ideal choice for the ecological and economic rehabilitation of wastelands in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. "Jatropha Curcas", Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education; undated booklet, no author indicated
On Jatropha as a fuel source: "Jatropha can be profitably grown as a perennial non-edible oil crop. ... Jatropha oil is an environmentally safe, cost effective, renewable source of non-conventional energy. It may be used as an alternative to diesel, kerosene, coal, L.P.G. and fuelwood to meet the energy needs of daily household chores and agriculture and village small industries. ... The economic exploitation of its oil yet remains to be investigated systematically. Progressive research for development of a suitable technology for its use as a fuel [remains to be done] ...". [Emphasis added] Ibid.
On jatropha seedcake uses: "Jatropha oil cake can, hopefully, replace chemical fertilizers if made available in the requisite quantity. Jatropha oil-cake as an organic fertilizer is superior to cow-dung manure and is in great demand by agriculturists. Also it does not compete with food crops for land area. On the contrary, the rich organic manure obtained from Jatropha enriches soils for increased food production." Ibid.
On Jatropha oil in energy strategy: "Vegetable oils from previously agriculturally unsuitable, marginal soil can become fuel. ... The fact the JCL [Jatropha Curcas L.] adapts to ecologically deprived areas means that it can easily be integrated into reforestation and ecologically sustainable programmes. From this environmental development a fuel strategy can be derived." "Members' Handbook", Zimbabwe Jatropha Curcas Producers' Association; undated, author unknown
Vegetable oils as fuel and Jatropha's role: "The world is approaching an era where energy is increasingly important. Unfortunately, few developing countries have been able to adjust their energy consumption and production in time. This inability to adapt is responsible for the stagnation of certain forms of development, notably that of agriculture. ... The search for new and renewable energy sources becomes more and more urgent. Using vegetable oils as fuel substitutes is an interesting departure, in particular if this consists in non-food oil crops. Jatropha curcas is one of them. ... Research has been done on this plant for over 40 years, in particular during the last world war. It was abandoned because the international situation has evolved. Perhaps the moment has come to establish a small research programme for this plant." "Curcas oil (Jatropha curcas L.): A possible fuel", G. Martin and A. Mayeux; Agritrop, vol. 9 no. 2,1985
Need to invest in Jatropha: " There is a need for additional scientific research and financial inputs into the establishment of economically and technically feasible and safe extraction and processing systems for decentralized use in rural areas. Not only to improvements in use as diesel fuel substitute warrant additional attention, but further investigation into other fuel uses is required such as for cookstoves, lighting and heating..The possibilities for jatropha to serve as a fuel oil [are] virtually unexploited at this time." [emphasis added] "Jatropha curcas: A Multipurpose Species for Problematic Sites", by Norman Jones and Joan H. Miller; The World Bank, Asia Technical Development Department, 1991
Areas of investigation in the feasibility/design study fall into several broad categories, all of which are aimed at gathering core data for large-scale promotion.
It is anticipated that several methodologies will be used to generate a detailed picture of the potentials and likely approaches for promoting Jatropha as a fuel, fertilizer, and income generator.
1) Economic issues. Although fuelwood is not yet widely marketed for use in rural areas, what is the perceived value (opportunity costs) of women's time and labor in obtaining fuel for cooking? How does that compare to the estimated value in time, labor and investment to use Jatropha oil in cooking instead of fuelwood? What level of benefits would make switching to this new fuel source worthwhile to rural households? What are the economic parameters of the rapidly expanding urban markets that now uses wood, charcoal, kerosene, electricity or a mixture of fuels for domestic energy?
2) Cultural and gender issues. What social or cultural obstacles are there to using Jatropha-fueled cookstoves in place of metal stoves or other cooking arrangements? What are perceived advantages and disadvantages to a locally-produced liquid fuel and the technology to use it? In what ways can public (e.g., environmental) benefits and social benefits (e.g., reduction of women's onerous work loads) be valued in decisions of whether and how to foster the use of renewable alternative fuels?
3) Marketing issues. What is the potential market for Jatropha oil and liquid fuel stoves, in rural and urban areas? What are the options for introducing this technology? How might local distribution networks for farm and household tools, or current domestic fuels like charcoal and kerosene, be tapped for this new fuel and cookstove? How can rurally produced oil be distributed in urban and peri-urban markets, or in the particular situation of refugee camps? How might export marketing be carried out?
4) Technical issues. Computerized databases and informal networks in agroforestry and renewable energy will be used to explore plant oils for alternative energy. A rudimentary prototype cookstove has been developed for demonstration purposes and to prove the principle, but it needs improvement. What is the state-of-the art in other countries? Who are the major players and what research is underway? What research has been done on low-cost cookstoves for plant oils? How can these research findings be adapted and applied in east Africa? What other oil-producing species, e.g., Moringa oleifera, might be promoted in areas where Jatropha is not common, and what is known of their properties and requirements?
5) Institutional and policy issues. How will governments' policies impact on development of Jatropha as an alternative cooking fuel? What public, private sector and non-profit agencies are involved in forest resource management, wildlife conservation, renewable energy, or rural enterprise development, and thus might be useful in development of this project? What are the most powerful institutional arrangements for promotion of plant oils as a fuel source in cooking?
In order to answer these and other related questions the team will develop interview tools for use with various populations. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques will help examine perspectives, constraints and attitudes of rural resource users. Other interview and research techniques will be used with project personnel, business people, government officials and donor agencies, among others stakeholders.
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