Summary of Local Uses of jatropha

Fianarantsoa province, Madagascar, from Anicet Ranaivoarison and Karine Sahler.

This study has been written from several inquiries with different communities, and farmers associations. In this province, which is one of the poorest in Madagascar, jatropha is a common plant, widely known.

People are making clear distinction between kinana mena (ricinus communis), which is considered as weed, and kinana fotsy (jatropha curcas). They know it mostly as living hences, and they are quite precise with the technical aspects of growing the plant.

Some are specialized in producing the oil. We met a village whose principal income for all families is the jatropha oil.

The seeds are dried up, then pillaged, then cooked with water. The submerging oil is filtrated with a feather, and cooked again. The tasks are distributed precisly.

The water is mixted with soil and put as manure.

The oil is sold during the market. Women are using it for hair, babies cranes and medicine.

They have oftently heard of the possibility of fuel, they are very interrested.

This website is maintained by
     
last modification  11.05.04