The Jatropha Project of "Forest for People" (Copy of the Jatropha part of FfP website)

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The project "Alternative Resource Income for Women" is a two-year project started in January 2003, to research and create sustainable income generation for existing rural women groups engaged in economic activities in the Tanamalwila area. The goal of increased income generation will be achieved by introducing economic activities related to Jatropha, an indigenous plant that produces wild castor beans. These beans contain viscous, non-edible oil, which can be used for the production of high quality soap, as a raw material for cosmetic products, as fuel for cooking and lighting and as a substitute for diesel fuel.

Objectives

Our main focus is on the following three main objectives:

1) To increase the production of Jatropha seeds through women’s groups and primary schools in the Tanamalwila area and the collection of Jatropha pressing seeds from the field within and outside Tanamalwila for processing into oil and seed cake for the existing and potential markets. In order to fully exploit Jatropha’s potential, the plant must be propagated extensively through the cuttings and seedlings method.

2) To establish production and marketing systems for Jatropha based products of the women’s groups in towns within the district to increase soap production and improve market linkages for optimum profits.

3) To create local capacity through the establishment of a Jatropha association, which will provide a sustainable network of benificaiers in the development of production and markets for Jatropha products in tanamalwila and eslewhere. Progress Report

1.1. Program Phase one: July 2003 to June 2004

Jatropha cultivation and Jatropha based products in the Tanamalwila area are new and not yet established. FfP and investors join forces in Phase 1 of this project to research the possibilities of exploiting Jatropha in Tanamalwila.

The main activities, which were to be supported by these organizations during the pilot phase were to multiply Jatropha cutting and seedlings, to experiment with proven, low costs technologies which use Jatropha oil as an ingredient in soap making and as fuel for cooking and lighting and development of experimental small-scale soap enterprises with one or two women’s’ groups in the Tanamalwila area.

To conduct a market study to determine whether various Jatropha products can reasonably compete with existing products in the market (i.e. soap, paraffin, diesel.) and to develop a commercial strategy on how to introduce these Jatropha products to the market.

Goals.

The pilot project to transpired within the projected timeframe. The findings and experience to show or not that there is a high potential value in the pursuit of further development of Jatropha enterprises in the arid rural areas of Tanamalwila. Equally, if there has been the co-operation between all implementing organizations to achieve the timely execution of the pilot phase.

The following to be achieved during this period:

Ø Collection of significant quantities of Jatropha seeds and production and multiplication of Jatropha seedlings and cuttings. It has been found that although the plant is widespread, it does not exist in large concentrated plantations. Will concentrated plantations be adopted? Seeds to be obtained from different areas within the district for oil pressing.

Ø Oil and soap production to be undertaken. Samples of low cost technologies, which use Jatropha oil as an ingredient in soap making and as fuel for cooking and lighting to be developed and tested.

Ø Equipment to be installed and demonstration at the household level for soap making for one groups in FfP Tanamalwila.

Ø The project willhave short listed viable women’s groups for future project expansion; to have designed business plans for the women groups in both seed and oil production and for viable soap making enterprises.

Ø A market study to be completed on different Jatropha products, which can compete with existing products in the market (i.e. soap, paraffin, diesel) and a commercial strategy to be developed on ways to introduce these Jatropha products on the market.

Ø The first phase to enabled us to understand better the social environment and technical constraints of promoting this range of products. The second phase will focus more on market analysis and development.

Ø From this phase a working group has been formed to undertake various objectives of phase II of the project.

1.2. Building on phase one success.

During the pilot phase, to prove the high potential or not of the oil from the Jatropha plant as raw material for medicated soap, as fuel for modified cooking stoves, and lamps and seed cake for fertilizer as well as fuel. In summary,to state that Jatropha, a previously un-exploited plant, has proven to be useful for rural women and communities in Tanamalwila where it already grows as an indigenous tree.

Commercial market.

We still know very little. Some products entail a very low risk, for example Jatropha all fall on the ground but not all of which even be collected. But this is the dilemma when only small quantities are produce; markets can’t be developed. Large scale Industries are interested in it and prepared to do a test run if some tons of the products could be delivered.

This isn’t possible because the plant is only growing wild and cultivated as fences. So we don’t know if this Industries will do a test run, the commercial market cant be tapped and the plant will continue to be grown only in domestic gardens. Outside support will be necessary to break through this vicious circle.

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last modification  16.03.04