LandRights

Land Rights

Jatropha Curcas is a hardy shrub, traditionally known in many subtopical and semi-arid region for its medicinal properties. It is widely used in the form of protective hedges around fields, to prevent animals from grazing crops. As Jatropha seeds and green leaves are poisonous, it works as a very effective barrier. Long qualified as an interesting but "underutilized" crop, it is now being increasingy used in reforestation programs in tropical countries because it thrives on poor soils and degraded land. Jatropha perfers alkaline soils, but easily grows on a large variety of other soils, including extremely sandy soil. It needs a minimum of 600 mm of rain, and during periods of extended drought survives by shedding its leaves. Propagation from cuttings offers good results, but for the establishment of planations geared towards oil production, seedlings froma a nursery have highter yieds. In unmanaged hedges Jatropha yeilds around 4 tonnes of seed, while under optimal conditions can yield up to 8 tonnes.

Jatropha oil extracted from the seeds and nuts can serve as a valuable energy resource that can be used to run small scale power at the village level. The oil can power small-scale engines and lighting appliances. In addition, jatropha can be used to make by-products such as soap, lubrication, and organic fertilizer (from the crushed seed residue).

Jatropha is a clean, renewable substitute for imported fossil fuels and conserves forests by offering an alternative biomass fuel. Plant oils are clean-burning and relase little sulfur. Plant oils only combust carbon sequesterd through atmospheric photosynthesis additiaonl carbon is relsased into the air (versus fossil fuels which relsease buried carbon dioxide, addint the the atmospheric content).

QUICK LINKS

The Mali Project Group

Engineers Without Borders

Design That Matters

Mali-FolkeCenter

ENERGY IN MALI
Firewood and charcoal account for 90% of Mali's energy. Women currently are in charge of gathering the firewood and selling it on the roadside, making up a majority of their household income. Fossil fuel imports account for 8% of the national energy, and have a critical effect on the weak economy. Mali, however, has rich renewable energy sources, especially biomass.

For More Information Contact Marie-Claire Munnelly

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This page was last updated September, 2006. We welcome or comments and suggestions. Please send messages and inquiries regarding page content and layout to Marie-Claire Munnelly.