Readers of the Sunday Monitor in Uganda were treated this morning to a long article about Jatropha carcus, a shrubby tree whose seeds contain 40% oil that can be made into biodiesel. The piece is extremely thorough, giving a mass of numbers about Jatropha and pointing out that it can deliver multiple benefits as part of agroforestry systems. Hand presses can keep production local. The seedcake, after pressing out the oil, is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and so can be returned to the farm to boost soil fertility. Intercropping suggests that it need not detract from food production. Uganda currently spends US$ 230 million on diesel imports.
There are far more disadvantages to using Jatropha than investing in the growing of moringa oleifera. All parts of the moringa are useful, most edible, one of the highest concentrations of combined nutrients on the planet and an oil producer with trees maturing quickly, and the oil easily extracted with about a 65% extraction efficiency. It grows on poorer soils and can FEED the growers and farmers as well as produce oil. Let’s think through these decisions so that plants we use for biofuels can do double or even triple duty. Oh, and it can be used as a food for livestock as well as purify water. I don’t think Jatropha has those qualities.
Jatropha has the same qualities, if not better qualities.
Just a few notes on Jatropha from Mike Benge Senior Agroforestry Officer, USAID posted on ECHO’s website:
Quote: To be economical, Jatropha must be produced in volume and those who stand to profit the most are the processors, retailier and the “middle-men”
Jatropha is toxic to livestock, weedy, and not a good species to use in agroforestry systems except as living fences…
Although Jatropha may look promising as a tree/shrub for marginal lands, without added mutrients, moisture and improved germplasm, marginal yields can be expected.
Jatropha seed-cake contains curcin, a highly toxic protein similar to ricin in Castor, making it unsuitable for animal feed.
Jatropha oil does not store well without processing, perhaps for only a few months; therefore, this would make it difficult to propvide fuel to power the year-around opreation of small industries such as grain mills, oil presses, water pumps and electricity generators.
Jatropha is reported as a weed in many places including Australia, Brazil, Fiji, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Salvador.”
There are some benefits to Jatropha, of course, but these must be carefully weighed as to their benefit to the local farmers. ANY monoculture wreaks havoc on the land and the landholder/worker. With Moringa, which is not-toxic to humans and animals and has so much available for use, it seems a much better choice for overall use than one destined for a single purpose market.
And of course my overall bottom line: why don’t we just look at ways to not need biodiesel or biofuels and work with renewable energy sources. Africa among other places could become the solar capitol of the world if other nations would simply invest in the technology, training and constructon of such systems both for domestic use (of first importance) and then for export to other countries much as we export oil along huge pipelines. The difference? Not raping the landscape or the people who depend upon the land.
hi thanks so much 4 the information. am so much interesred in investing ma energy in biodiesel production. please lets keep in touch
Hi, i’m a keen investor in planting jatropha plants on a large scale. Can see that you guys are quite an expert in this area, hence could anyone of you offer me some advice on this issue?
thanks.
I have already gathered enough information and research in this area. I would like to get to know more individuals who think alike for the purpose of a joint venture
Great information. We are headed to Jatropha World 2008 in Hamburg. We hope to get the latest information and will share what we have learned.
India is the world’s biggest producer of Jatopha oil and at the same time moringa oleifera or malunggay in our country. Based on Yvonne Scott’s and environmentalenhancer’s comments, why don’t just India gradually convert from making jatropha oil to moringa oil? Since moringa seems better compared to jatropha and India has an abundant source of it, it would therefore be a great advantage for them. Increased income plus healthier environment.
think of the word non-toxic, it’s a big deal.
and solar energy? Dear, looking at now’s down-fall of economy, it would be just a miracle to continue it and FINISH it with financial crisis.
Nice stuff, has any one studied the energy contents of jatropha oil compared to moringa oil and conventional diesel. It is what I am getting in to now that is when we can probably conclude on the viability of whcih one to use as an ENERGY CROP. Energy being the key word
I would like to know if there are individuals in Uganda growing this plant on a large scale.
Im also doing a comparative research between Moringa Oleifera and Jatropha. Maybe we can share infos. @oscar –
I am of the opinion that we tape the potentials of both crops depending on prevailing situation at a place. It is true that Moringa has wider range of use in that there a minimal if at all, toxic elements in it; however, Jatropha also stands to be a very good medicinal plant in folk practices. We only need to know when is to use and when not to use a plant product depending on need and value. Encouragement on use of both promotes diversification of the economic crop base! It is good for the farmer!