This document proposes a research project to develop Jatropha curcas as a sustainable energy crop for developing countries. The goals are to establish a Jatropha germplasm collection, evaluate varieties for yield and other traits, conduct a breeding program to develop improved varieties adapted to marginal lands, and establish Jatropha as a cash crop in Haiti. The project would address Haiti's needs for environmental restoration, economic development, and reduced fuel imports by developing Jatropha as a crop for hillsides and biodiesel production.
This document summarizes concerns about the promotion of jatropha as a biofuel crop in Swaziland by the UK company D1 Oils. It finds that many of D1 Oil's claims about the benefits of jatropha are questionable based on evidence from Swazi farmers and studies. Key claims challenged include that jatropha grows well and yields high oil outputs on marginal land with little water or inputs, and that it will provide economic opportunities for poor communities. The document concludes jatropha is unlikely to be a sustainable biofuel crop and its impacts need to be rigorously assessed.
The eight case studies demonstrate that viable livelihoods can be created on small acreages of ten acres or less through diverse and intensive farming practices, adding value to products, and direct marketing. Key factors for success include a commitment to sustainable land management practices, a willingness to work long hours, and a creative problem-solving approach. While planning policies currently allow for small-scale farming, local "red tape" presents obstacles that could be reduced to better support these livelihoods.
Nicola FAVRETTO "Is Jatropha curcas energy crop cultivation a viable land man...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
1) A study examined the viability of Jatropha curcas cultivation as an energy crop and poverty reduction strategy in Mali based on livelihood lessons.
2) Interviews with 80 households found that small-scale Jatropha cultivation did not threaten food security when intercropped with cereals, and could be used as living fences. However, selling seeds alone was not profitable for farmers.
3) While Jatropha had potential benefits for land restoration and rural energy access, the study found that projects overestimated yields and farmers required more support to overcome cultivation challenges and realize promised benefits.
1) The document discusses land diversification opportunities for coconut plantations. It defines diversification as reallocating resources like land, capital and labor into new crops, livestock, value-adding activities or non-agricultural businesses.
2) Factors driving diversification include reducing risk, responding to changing demand or policies, and adapting to external shocks and climate change. The document outlines opportunities and threats to diversification.
3) It provides an overview of Chilaw Plantations, including its vision, mission and core values. It also includes a SWOT analysis of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding land diversification.
The document summarizes an international symposium on sustainable palm oil held at the Zoological Society of London on May 5-6, 2011. The symposium included sessions on palm oil and sustainability, palm oil and the environment, and balancing environmental and socio-economic goals in palm oil production. It provides an agenda for the event and abstracts of the various presentations, which focused on issues like reducing greenhouse gas emissions from palm oil development, reconciling environmental and development targets, and maintaining high conservation values in oil palm landscapes.
Jatropha Curcas Oil Production and Local Development in MozambiqueZK8
This document summarizes a project in Mozambique that aims to use locally produced Jatropha curcas oil to power local diesel engines and generate income for small-scale farmers. The project has been running for three years in a low population density area with poor soils and limited economic opportunities. Initial challenges included agronomic issues like pest infestations from the golden flea beetle. Through research and farmer collaboration, the project has optimized planting techniques like using hedgerows. Current results indicate the system works technically and is socially acceptable and economically viable without subsidies. However, further research is still needed to fully understand yields, environmental impacts, and requirements for large-scale adoption.
1. The document discusses the potential for Latin America to become a major global supplier of rice, the world's most important staple crop, to help meet rising global demand.
2. For Latin America to realize this potential, yields would need to increase to 7 tons per hectare and costs of production would need to lower to $1,000 per hectare to compete globally.
3. Significant investments in agricultural research and development as well as stable trade policies would be required for Latin America to capitalize on its land and water resources and become a future "rice bowl" region.
’Mainstreaming agrobiodiversity conservation and use in Sri Lankan agro-ecosy...Janathakshan Gte Ltd
Presentation by Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment
Technical Session 02: Climate Change Adaptation
Experience Sharing Forum on Climate Smart Initiatives of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Next – A blue Green Era – Conference and Exhibition 2017
16 – 17 October 2017, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka
This document summarizes concerns about the promotion of jatropha as a biofuel crop in Swaziland by the UK company D1 Oils. It finds that many of D1 Oil's claims about the benefits of jatropha are questionable based on evidence from Swazi farmers and studies. Key claims challenged include that jatropha grows well and yields high oil outputs on marginal land with little water or inputs, and that it will provide economic opportunities for poor communities. The document concludes jatropha is unlikely to be a sustainable biofuel crop and its impacts need to be rigorously assessed.
The eight case studies demonstrate that viable livelihoods can be created on small acreages of ten acres or less through diverse and intensive farming practices, adding value to products, and direct marketing. Key factors for success include a commitment to sustainable land management practices, a willingness to work long hours, and a creative problem-solving approach. While planning policies currently allow for small-scale farming, local "red tape" presents obstacles that could be reduced to better support these livelihoods.
Nicola FAVRETTO "Is Jatropha curcas energy crop cultivation a viable land man...Global Risk Forum GRFDavos
1) A study examined the viability of Jatropha curcas cultivation as an energy crop and poverty reduction strategy in Mali based on livelihood lessons.
2) Interviews with 80 households found that small-scale Jatropha cultivation did not threaten food security when intercropped with cereals, and could be used as living fences. However, selling seeds alone was not profitable for farmers.
3) While Jatropha had potential benefits for land restoration and rural energy access, the study found that projects overestimated yields and farmers required more support to overcome cultivation challenges and realize promised benefits.
1) The document discusses land diversification opportunities for coconut plantations. It defines diversification as reallocating resources like land, capital and labor into new crops, livestock, value-adding activities or non-agricultural businesses.
2) Factors driving diversification include reducing risk, responding to changing demand or policies, and adapting to external shocks and climate change. The document outlines opportunities and threats to diversification.
3) It provides an overview of Chilaw Plantations, including its vision, mission and core values. It also includes a SWOT analysis of the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats regarding land diversification.
The document summarizes an international symposium on sustainable palm oil held at the Zoological Society of London on May 5-6, 2011. The symposium included sessions on palm oil and sustainability, palm oil and the environment, and balancing environmental and socio-economic goals in palm oil production. It provides an agenda for the event and abstracts of the various presentations, which focused on issues like reducing greenhouse gas emissions from palm oil development, reconciling environmental and development targets, and maintaining high conservation values in oil palm landscapes.
Jatropha Curcas Oil Production and Local Development in MozambiqueZK8
This document summarizes a project in Mozambique that aims to use locally produced Jatropha curcas oil to power local diesel engines and generate income for small-scale farmers. The project has been running for three years in a low population density area with poor soils and limited economic opportunities. Initial challenges included agronomic issues like pest infestations from the golden flea beetle. Through research and farmer collaboration, the project has optimized planting techniques like using hedgerows. Current results indicate the system works technically and is socially acceptable and economically viable without subsidies. However, further research is still needed to fully understand yields, environmental impacts, and requirements for large-scale adoption.
1. The document discusses the potential for Latin America to become a major global supplier of rice, the world's most important staple crop, to help meet rising global demand.
2. For Latin America to realize this potential, yields would need to increase to 7 tons per hectare and costs of production would need to lower to $1,000 per hectare to compete globally.
3. Significant investments in agricultural research and development as well as stable trade policies would be required for Latin America to capitalize on its land and water resources and become a future "rice bowl" region.
’Mainstreaming agrobiodiversity conservation and use in Sri Lankan agro-ecosy...Janathakshan Gte Ltd
Presentation by Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment
Technical Session 02: Climate Change Adaptation
Experience Sharing Forum on Climate Smart Initiatives of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Next – A blue Green Era – Conference and Exhibition 2017
16 – 17 October 2017, BMICH, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sustainable Development and Bioeconomic Prosperity in Africa QZ1
This document summarizes a research paper on the potential for biofuel production and economic development in Africa through the use of biotechnology. It discusses how several African countries are exploring biofuel production from crops like sugarcane, Jatropha, and sorghum to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support sustainable development. While genetically modified crops are controversial, the paper argues they could increase food production. Biofuels have potential to boost energy security and rural development through crop-based industries. South Africa has emerged as a leader in both biofuel and biotech industries in Africa.
Prioritizing Pollinators in Corporate America_Whitepaper_WHC_April2016Margaret O'Gorman
Corporate lands, regardless of size, can help support pollinator populations and meet the goals of the National Strategy by implementing pollinator habitat projects. Examples of small-scale projects include native plant gardens with milkweed that provide food and nesting sites. When thoughtfully designed, such projects provide benefits like landscape maintenance needs, employee engagement opportunities, and advance corporate sustainability goals.
Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub Saharan AfricaWorld Agroforestry (ICRAF)
The document discusses fostering sustainability and resilience for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that the region's population is projected to reach 2 billion in the next 30 years, but currently 24% of people are undernourished with cereal yields half the world average. Current agricultural intensification focuses on high fertilizer and seeds but risks compromising sustainability. The Global Environment Facility proposes a pilot program to strengthen natural resource management and ecosystem services to achieve intensification that is sustainable and resilient. The $120 million program aims to generate $1 billion in co-financing to benefit millions of smallholder farmers across dryland regions in Africa.
1) Dryland cereals like sorghum and millet are important staple crops for over 500 million people in Africa and Asia. They are drought tolerant and can be grown in harsh environments where other crops cannot.
2) Demand for these crops is increasing due to population growth and new markets. However, production is constrained by drought, degraded soils, pests, and lack of improved varieties.
3) The organization is working to develop more resilient varieties of sorghum and millet using modern breeding techniques like high-throughput phenotyping and genomic tools to integrate drought tolerance and other traits. This will help meet the projected 40% increase in demand for these crops by 2020.
1) The palm oil industry in Indonesia has potential for sustainable development through higher yields and sustainable practices rather than expansion, which could help mitigate deforestation.
2) Smallholder farmers producing over 40% of palm oil globally could improve yields through education in sustainable practices like fertilizer recovery from waste, biogas harvesting, and stem utilization.
3) Degraded lands could be reclaimed through oil palm cultivation, which is more productive than other crops on problem soils, providing land restoration opportunities.
Background
Water stress poses serious threats to human lives, livelihoods and business stability.
As per WRI, more than 61 countries face high to extreme levels of water stress a narrow gap between supply and demand leaves countries vulnerable to fluctuations like droughts or increased water withdrawals, which is why we’re seeing more and more communities facing their own “Day Zeros” and other crises.
It is important to understand cascading effects of climate change and how it impacts food security and nutrition among vulnerable smallholder farmers and build resilience.
This document discusses approaches to securing the livelihoods and nutritional needs of fish-dependent communities given threats from overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction. It finds that poor and vulnerable populations are most at risk, including one-third of fishers living below the poverty line. Current approaches discussed include alternative livelihoods programs, wealth-based approaches, aquaculture, and shared fisheries governance. Emerging trends observed include experimentation with market-based approaches, interest from new sources of capital, and adoption of a more holistic view integrating conservation, poverty, and food security. The document concludes there are opportunities to better integrate conservation with rights and support successful management regimes, women, innovative financing, and aquaculture
Presentation given by Pierre du Plassis, SADC Secretariat, at the Mutual Implementation of the Plant Treaty and the Nagoya Protocol Workshop, Addis Ababa, November 16th.
Poyry - How must plantation forestry change to survive? - Point of ViewPöyry
There is growing global evidence that in order to survive, plantation forestry 1 must change. Moving beyond supplying pulp and paper producers and wood products manufacturers, global forestry players must now meet
increasing demands from new bioenergy producers, compete for land and water with food growers, deal with changing societal beliefs about sustainability, and comply with complex environmental regulations.
Collaboration between Mississippi State University and a Georgia businessman may provide the Southeast a viable biofuel feedstock in the form of a new variety of giant miscanthus called "Freedom". MSU researcher Brian Baldwin spent 12 years studying different grass species and determined that giant miscanthus consistently produced higher yields than other candidates such as switchgrass, averaging 18-20 tons per acre. The exclusive rights to produce and distribute the seed stock for Freedom were licensed to Phillip Jennings' new company SunBelt Biofuels, which plans to make it commercially available to growers in spring 2010. Freedom is well-suited to the Southeast climate and could provide farmers an alternative crop for the production of sustainable bioenergy.
- The document describes national performance trials of potato varieties conducted in mid-altitude regions of Kenya between 2016 and 2017.
- Twenty-six potato genotypes, including four check varieties, were evaluated across six mid-altitude sites over two seasons. Yield and other agronomic data was collected.
- In the first season, genotypes, environments, and their interaction all significantly affected yield. Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site, with all genotypes yielding between 10-25 tons/ha. In the second season, only environments significantly impacted yield, with Trans-Nzoia again the highest.
This document summarizes the activities of the Costa Rican Forage Network (CRFN) over the past few years. CRFN is a collaborative network of academic, government, and private institutions established in 2015 to support research and development of forages to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the livestock industry in Costa Rica. Key achievements include establishing an online platform to share publications, a database of forage researchers, and funding support for ongoing research projects focused on evaluating different forage varieties and production systems. The network holds an annual meeting and aims to prioritize research to benefit livestock producers.
Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for ecological inten...Leo Mhodzi
Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for smallholder farmers in central Mozambique to alleviate biophysical and socioeconomic constraints. Field experiments showed that within-row maize-pigeonpea and maize-cowpea intercropping systems improved productivity and income over sole cropping, especially in drought-prone years. Intercropping increased food security and profitability compared to sole crops. Farmers preferred within-row intercropping for its higher yields and food security benefits. Intercropping has potential to improve productivity, income, and food security for smallholders in central Mozambique's vulnerable production systems.
The document provides guidance to mapping teams on developing, modifying, and analyzing common assessments, with sections outlining the process for each scenario and examples of assessment data reports from Mastery Manager that can be used to inform future assessment and curriculum decisions. Key steps include establishing learning outcomes, aligning questions, and examining assessment and teacher reflection data to determine if assessments adequately measure taught content.
Conversion of Marine Fishing Vessel Diesel Engines for Use with Straight Vege...XZ3
This document discusses converting marine fishing vessel diesel engines to use straight vegetable oil (SVO) as fuel instead of fossil diesel. It provides background on rising oil costs and dependence on imports as motivation. Converting engines is estimated to cost €1500 per engine. Using SVO provides environmental benefits but may currently cost 11-18 cents more per liter than untaxed diesel. Subsidizing SVO to account for its environmental benefits could make it cost competitive across the EU. The conclusion is that promoting SVO use would have political, social, environmental and economic benefits and should be considered a viable alternative to fossil diesel for fishermen.
Beyond Fossil Fuels: Biofuel Opportunities for AfricaXZ3
This document discusses opportunities for renewable energy in Africa beyond fossil fuels. It notes that Africa has low electrification rates and energy consumption. Renewable sources like biomass, hydro, geothermal, wind and solar are discussed. Specific opportunities for biofuels in West Africa are examined. The creation of the African Biofuel and Renewable Energy Fund (ABREF) is proposed to finance biofuel and renewable energy projects, with the goals of contributing to industry development in Africa and providing returns through certified emission reduction credits.
The document provides information about a 2 tank system conversion kit for diesel engines to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO).
The conversion kit contains all the necessary parts to modify the engine, including a second fuel tank, fuel filters, pumps, heat exchanger, sensors and wiring. Detailed instructions and diagrams for installation are also included.
Additional information is given about available second fuel tank models and accessories that can be selected, with pricing. The kit aims to allow operation of the engine according to the included "Vegetable Oil Quality Standard" specifications.
The document discusses opportunities for using coconut oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands. Key points include:
1) Coconut oil can replace or be blended with diesel fuel in engines, providing economic benefits through lower local costs compared to imported diesel.
2) Using coconut oil can support local agro-industries and reduce emissions compared to diesel. However, straight coconut oil requires engine adaptations.
3) Producing biodiesel from coconut oil is more expensive than using straight coconut oil due to chemical processing requirements.
Can It Be Done: I ran my Mercedes on Straight Vegetable Oil XZ3
1) The author has been running his 1980 Mercedes on straight vegetable oil (SVO) for 5 months without issues. Others are surprised that a diesel engine can run on vegetable oil.
2) Rudolph Diesel originally designed diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. The author discusses various types of vegetable-based fuels including SVO, biodiesel (B100), and a B20 blend.
3) Benefits of using vegetable oil over diesel include reducing emissions, being carbon neutral, reducing reliance on oil companies, and saving money on fuel costs. The author provides details on gathering, filtering, and using vegetable oil as fuel.
A Comparison of Liquid Biofuels in Home Heating FurnacesXZ3
A study tested various biofuel blends in home heating furnaces and found that a 20% blend of waste vegetable oil (WVO) performed well and was the first biofuel to be cheaper than petroleum heating oil. Field tests of 20% WVO and soybean oil (SVO) blends found no issues after several months of use. Using less refined plant oils and waste oils reduces biofuel production costs and brings the prices below the petroleum barrier. Future studies are needed on long-term storage stability and delivery issues for biofuel heating to help establish local production in Connecticut.
This document discusses using straight vegetable oil or waste vegetable oil as an alternative fuel to diesel for vehicles. It provides annual savings estimates of using these fuels which include reducing diesel consumption by over 6,800 gallons and $9,221 in savings per year. It also outlines operational questions about how these fuels work and their environmental impacts such as being carbon neutral and reusing a waste product.
Sustainable Development and Bioeconomic Prosperity in Africa QZ1
This document summarizes a research paper on the potential for biofuel production and economic development in Africa through the use of biotechnology. It discusses how several African countries are exploring biofuel production from crops like sugarcane, Jatropha, and sorghum to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and support sustainable development. While genetically modified crops are controversial, the paper argues they could increase food production. Biofuels have potential to boost energy security and rural development through crop-based industries. South Africa has emerged as a leader in both biofuel and biotech industries in Africa.
Prioritizing Pollinators in Corporate America_Whitepaper_WHC_April2016Margaret O'Gorman
Corporate lands, regardless of size, can help support pollinator populations and meet the goals of the National Strategy by implementing pollinator habitat projects. Examples of small-scale projects include native plant gardens with milkweed that provide food and nesting sites. When thoughtfully designed, such projects provide benefits like landscape maintenance needs, employee engagement opportunities, and advance corporate sustainability goals.
Fostering Sustainability and Resilience for Food Security in Sub Saharan AfricaWorld Agroforestry (ICRAF)
The document discusses fostering sustainability and resilience for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. It notes that the region's population is projected to reach 2 billion in the next 30 years, but currently 24% of people are undernourished with cereal yields half the world average. Current agricultural intensification focuses on high fertilizer and seeds but risks compromising sustainability. The Global Environment Facility proposes a pilot program to strengthen natural resource management and ecosystem services to achieve intensification that is sustainable and resilient. The $120 million program aims to generate $1 billion in co-financing to benefit millions of smallholder farmers across dryland regions in Africa.
1) Dryland cereals like sorghum and millet are important staple crops for over 500 million people in Africa and Asia. They are drought tolerant and can be grown in harsh environments where other crops cannot.
2) Demand for these crops is increasing due to population growth and new markets. However, production is constrained by drought, degraded soils, pests, and lack of improved varieties.
3) The organization is working to develop more resilient varieties of sorghum and millet using modern breeding techniques like high-throughput phenotyping and genomic tools to integrate drought tolerance and other traits. This will help meet the projected 40% increase in demand for these crops by 2020.
1) The palm oil industry in Indonesia has potential for sustainable development through higher yields and sustainable practices rather than expansion, which could help mitigate deforestation.
2) Smallholder farmers producing over 40% of palm oil globally could improve yields through education in sustainable practices like fertilizer recovery from waste, biogas harvesting, and stem utilization.
3) Degraded lands could be reclaimed through oil palm cultivation, which is more productive than other crops on problem soils, providing land restoration opportunities.
Background
Water stress poses serious threats to human lives, livelihoods and business stability.
As per WRI, more than 61 countries face high to extreme levels of water stress a narrow gap between supply and demand leaves countries vulnerable to fluctuations like droughts or increased water withdrawals, which is why we’re seeing more and more communities facing their own “Day Zeros” and other crises.
It is important to understand cascading effects of climate change and how it impacts food security and nutrition among vulnerable smallholder farmers and build resilience.
This document discusses approaches to securing the livelihoods and nutritional needs of fish-dependent communities given threats from overfishing, climate change, and habitat destruction. It finds that poor and vulnerable populations are most at risk, including one-third of fishers living below the poverty line. Current approaches discussed include alternative livelihoods programs, wealth-based approaches, aquaculture, and shared fisheries governance. Emerging trends observed include experimentation with market-based approaches, interest from new sources of capital, and adoption of a more holistic view integrating conservation, poverty, and food security. The document concludes there are opportunities to better integrate conservation with rights and support successful management regimes, women, innovative financing, and aquaculture
Presentation given by Pierre du Plassis, SADC Secretariat, at the Mutual Implementation of the Plant Treaty and the Nagoya Protocol Workshop, Addis Ababa, November 16th.
Poyry - How must plantation forestry change to survive? - Point of ViewPöyry
There is growing global evidence that in order to survive, plantation forestry 1 must change. Moving beyond supplying pulp and paper producers and wood products manufacturers, global forestry players must now meet
increasing demands from new bioenergy producers, compete for land and water with food growers, deal with changing societal beliefs about sustainability, and comply with complex environmental regulations.
Collaboration between Mississippi State University and a Georgia businessman may provide the Southeast a viable biofuel feedstock in the form of a new variety of giant miscanthus called "Freedom". MSU researcher Brian Baldwin spent 12 years studying different grass species and determined that giant miscanthus consistently produced higher yields than other candidates such as switchgrass, averaging 18-20 tons per acre. The exclusive rights to produce and distribute the seed stock for Freedom were licensed to Phillip Jennings' new company SunBelt Biofuels, which plans to make it commercially available to growers in spring 2010. Freedom is well-suited to the Southeast climate and could provide farmers an alternative crop for the production of sustainable bioenergy.
- The document describes national performance trials of potato varieties conducted in mid-altitude regions of Kenya between 2016 and 2017.
- Twenty-six potato genotypes, including four check varieties, were evaluated across six mid-altitude sites over two seasons. Yield and other agronomic data was collected.
- In the first season, genotypes, environments, and their interaction all significantly affected yield. Trans-Nzoia was the highest yielding site, with all genotypes yielding between 10-25 tons/ha. In the second season, only environments significantly impacted yield, with Trans-Nzoia again the highest.
This document summarizes the activities of the Costa Rican Forage Network (CRFN) over the past few years. CRFN is a collaborative network of academic, government, and private institutions established in 2015 to support research and development of forages to increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the livestock industry in Costa Rica. Key achievements include establishing an online platform to share publications, a database of forage researchers, and funding support for ongoing research projects focused on evaluating different forage varieties and production systems. The network holds an annual meeting and aims to prioritize research to benefit livestock producers.
Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for ecological inten...Leo Mhodzi
Maize-grain legume intercropping is an attractive option for smallholder farmers in central Mozambique to alleviate biophysical and socioeconomic constraints. Field experiments showed that within-row maize-pigeonpea and maize-cowpea intercropping systems improved productivity and income over sole cropping, especially in drought-prone years. Intercropping increased food security and profitability compared to sole crops. Farmers preferred within-row intercropping for its higher yields and food security benefits. Intercropping has potential to improve productivity, income, and food security for smallholders in central Mozambique's vulnerable production systems.
The document provides guidance to mapping teams on developing, modifying, and analyzing common assessments, with sections outlining the process for each scenario and examples of assessment data reports from Mastery Manager that can be used to inform future assessment and curriculum decisions. Key steps include establishing learning outcomes, aligning questions, and examining assessment and teacher reflection data to determine if assessments adequately measure taught content.
Conversion of Marine Fishing Vessel Diesel Engines for Use with Straight Vege...XZ3
This document discusses converting marine fishing vessel diesel engines to use straight vegetable oil (SVO) as fuel instead of fossil diesel. It provides background on rising oil costs and dependence on imports as motivation. Converting engines is estimated to cost €1500 per engine. Using SVO provides environmental benefits but may currently cost 11-18 cents more per liter than untaxed diesel. Subsidizing SVO to account for its environmental benefits could make it cost competitive across the EU. The conclusion is that promoting SVO use would have political, social, environmental and economic benefits and should be considered a viable alternative to fossil diesel for fishermen.
Beyond Fossil Fuels: Biofuel Opportunities for AfricaXZ3
This document discusses opportunities for renewable energy in Africa beyond fossil fuels. It notes that Africa has low electrification rates and energy consumption. Renewable sources like biomass, hydro, geothermal, wind and solar are discussed. Specific opportunities for biofuels in West Africa are examined. The creation of the African Biofuel and Renewable Energy Fund (ABREF) is proposed to finance biofuel and renewable energy projects, with the goals of contributing to industry development in Africa and providing returns through certified emission reduction credits.
The document provides information about a 2 tank system conversion kit for diesel engines to run on straight vegetable oil (SVO).
The conversion kit contains all the necessary parts to modify the engine, including a second fuel tank, fuel filters, pumps, heat exchanger, sensors and wiring. Detailed instructions and diagrams for installation are also included.
Additional information is given about available second fuel tank models and accessories that can be selected, with pricing. The kit aims to allow operation of the engine according to the included "Vegetable Oil Quality Standard" specifications.
The document discusses opportunities for using coconut oil as a biofuel in Pacific Islands. Key points include:
1) Coconut oil can replace or be blended with diesel fuel in engines, providing economic benefits through lower local costs compared to imported diesel.
2) Using coconut oil can support local agro-industries and reduce emissions compared to diesel. However, straight coconut oil requires engine adaptations.
3) Producing biodiesel from coconut oil is more expensive than using straight coconut oil due to chemical processing requirements.
Can It Be Done: I ran my Mercedes on Straight Vegetable Oil XZ3
1) The author has been running his 1980 Mercedes on straight vegetable oil (SVO) for 5 months without issues. Others are surprised that a diesel engine can run on vegetable oil.
2) Rudolph Diesel originally designed diesel engines to run on vegetable oil. The author discusses various types of vegetable-based fuels including SVO, biodiesel (B100), and a B20 blend.
3) Benefits of using vegetable oil over diesel include reducing emissions, being carbon neutral, reducing reliance on oil companies, and saving money on fuel costs. The author provides details on gathering, filtering, and using vegetable oil as fuel.
A Comparison of Liquid Biofuels in Home Heating FurnacesXZ3
A study tested various biofuel blends in home heating furnaces and found that a 20% blend of waste vegetable oil (WVO) performed well and was the first biofuel to be cheaper than petroleum heating oil. Field tests of 20% WVO and soybean oil (SVO) blends found no issues after several months of use. Using less refined plant oils and waste oils reduces biofuel production costs and brings the prices below the petroleum barrier. Future studies are needed on long-term storage stability and delivery issues for biofuel heating to help establish local production in Connecticut.
This document discusses using straight vegetable oil or waste vegetable oil as an alternative fuel to diesel for vehicles. It provides annual savings estimates of using these fuels which include reducing diesel consumption by over 6,800 gallons and $9,221 in savings per year. It also outlines operational questions about how these fuels work and their environmental impacts such as being carbon neutral and reusing a waste product.
Characterization Of Jatropha Curcas L. Seed And Its OilXZ3
The document analyzes the physical properties and composition of Jatropha curcas L. seeds and oil from Argentina and Paraguay. It finds:
1) The seeds have high levels of protein (26.2%) and carbohydrates (56.5%) in the press extraction cake.
2) The oil from both sources is highly unsaturated, with linoleic acid being the most abundant fatty acid (42.6% for Paraguayan oil and 53.3% for Argentinean oil).
3) Both oils have high acidity (26.8 mg KOH/g oil) which prevents direct transesterification for biodiesel production.
Adapting A VW Golf Car For Using Pure Rapeseed Oil As FuelXZ3
This document summarizes research adapting a VW Golf automobile to run on pure rapeseed oil as fuel. Key points:
- A VW Golf with a 1.9L diesel engine was modified using an Elsbett one-tank conversion kit, allowing it to use pure rapeseed oil as fuel.
- Initial tests were conducted in winter conditions down to -7°C. The modified engine started and drove without issues, showing rapeseed oil fuel consumption was slightly higher than diesel but better than biodiesel.
- Component temperature measurements showed the electric fuel heater brought oil temperatures over 60°C within 1.5-1.7 minutes, allowing warm engine operation on rapeseed oil even below
Biodiesel Production from Jatropha curcas Oil Using Potassium CarbonateXZ3
This document summarizes a study on producing biodiesel from Jatropha curcas (JTC) oil using potassium carbonate as an unsupported catalyst. Key findings include:
1) Potassium carbonate produced the least amount of soap compared to other base catalysts and can be recovered from JTC seedcake ash, making it suitable for biodiesel production from JTC oil.
2) The transesterification of JTC oil appeared complete within 15 minutes using 5% potassium carbonate and a 6:1 methanol to oil ratio or 4% potassium carbonate and a 9:1 ratio, both at 60°C.
3) FTIR-ATR analysis was used to monitor the
This document provides links to resources about organic gardening and farming techniques, including manuals on increasing plant yields by 400%, rainwater harvesting, green roofs, straight vegetable oil vehicles, garden therapy for the disabled, volunteering on organic farms in Europe, solar energy training, and eco-friendly coffee bean development projects. The resources aim to educate about city, backyard, and urban farming using organic and sustainable methods.
Diesel -Therm: The Solution for Freezing Problems with BiofuelsXZ3
Diesel-Therm is a fuel preheater that prevents diesel and biodiesel from gelling at low temperatures by warming the fuel before it reaches the filter. It installs directly before the fuel filter and consists of an electric heater, thermostat, and control unit. By keeping the fuel fluid, it avoids clogged filters and ensures reliable engine operation even in very cold conditions without the need for additives. The device has been proven effective and is used by many commercial vehicle manufacturers and operators.
Algae have potential as a feedstock for biofuels because they are photosynthetic and can grow much faster than land crops. Algae can be used to produce biodiesel from algal oil, as well as ethanol, butanol and other biofuels from algal carbohydrates. Algae have advantages over land crops for biofuels in that they do not require arable land, can yield much more energy per acre, and can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Several companies are working to scale up algae production and develop cost-effective systems to commercially produce algae-derived fuels and products.
Manod Saini is seeking a professional opportunity where he can contribute and learn. He has experience as a Customer Support Engineer and Assistant Manager - IT. He has professional certifications in CCNP, CCNA, and networking. He has experience managing networks, servers, virtualization, Microsoft technologies, Trend Micro, Cisco technologies including routing, switching, VoIP, and more. He currently works as an Assistant Manager - IT where his responsibilities include managing the network infrastructure, servers, wireless access, backups, and assisting with the help desk.
Ivy worldwide hp womm select program summaryDana Harrold
This document provides summaries of several word-of-mouth marketing initiatives by HP. It describes the 31 Days of the Dragon campaign which sold out a laptop model through blogger giveaways. It also outlines the HP Magic Giveaway campaign which drove brand awareness through a product giveaway encouraged recipients to share with others. Additionally, it summarizes the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition launch which increased consideration of a designer netbook and the Back-to-School Better Together Giveaway that promoted notebook and netbook companion solutions. Finally, it discusses the HP ENVY Local Marketing Events that launched a new notebook line through local influencer events.
Us retail online store customer ratings and reviews full versionDana Harrold
The document summarizes customer reviews and ratings from online stores for several HP notebook series. It finds that HP's G-series notebooks received mostly positive reviews, with display quality and performance being the top liked features. Common complaints were short battery life and touchpad issues. Reviewers requested additional ports and a backlit keyboard. The analysis of online reviews provided insights to help HP improve product messaging, design, and sales.
This document discusses the challenge of sustainably intensifying crop production to meet growing global food demand. While the Green Revolution dramatically increased yields, intensive agriculture has also depleted soils and resources. To double production by 2050 as populations rise, sustainable approaches are needed that produce more using the same land area while conserving ecosystems. This new paradigm is called sustainable crop production intensification.
The document discusses commercial farming of jatropha curcas, a plant whose seeds can be used for biodiesel production. It proposes leasing 100 acres of land to cultivate 135,000 jatropha saplings and employ staff to manage irrigation and operations. The project aims to produce and sell jatropha seeds to oil marketing companies, contributing to Pakistan's renewable energy production while creating jobs and economic growth. Jatropha is well-suited as it is drought-resistant and can grow in marginal lands, with oil content of 37% that can be processed into biodiesel.
Save & grow - A policymaker’s guide to the sustainable intensification of sma...Kyle Lima
This document is a guidebook for policymakers on sustainably intensifying smallholder crop production. It discusses the need to meet growing global food demand while preserving natural resources. Conventional intensive agriculture has depleted soils and ecosystems. The guide proposes a new paradigm called sustainable crop production intensification, which uses ecosystem-based practices to produce higher yields from existing farmland without degrading the environment. It presents tools and approaches like conservation agriculture, agroforestry, integrated pest management and precision irrigation that can help small farms boost productivity in an eco-friendly way. The guide stresses the importance of policies, institutions and incentives to support the transition to more sustainable intensive agriculture.
Why dry areas should invest masively in innovation to ensure food securityCGIAR
For dry areas the core problem is that growing food requires much more water than all other uses combined, that is to say, in dry areas there just isn't enough water to grow food. The complex challenges facing dry areas cannot be solved with one silver bullet, but will require an
integrated approach involving sustainable natural resource management, crop and livestock genetic
improvement as well as socio-economic innovation.
Keynote speech made by Dr Frank Rijsberman at the Opening Ceremony of the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture, Abu Dhabi, February 3, 2014.
The document discusses IFAD's priorities and role in promoting bioenergy and smallholder agriculture. It notes that IFAD has supported over 300 million rural poor people through 829 projects in 115 countries. Smallholder farms are important, with 500 million farms worldwide supporting over 2 billion people. The document discusses opportunities and risks for agriculture, and the role of smallholders and options like cash crops, livestock integration and agro-processing in closing the poverty gap. It advocates using biofuels to expand opportunities for rural smallholders while ensuring food security and environmental sustainability.
This document summarizes information about Jatropha curcas L., a drought-resistant, inedible oil-bearing plant that has potential as a biofuel feedstock. It can grow in degraded or marginal lands and produces seeds that contain 35% oil suitable for biodiesel production. While interest is growing in jatropha for biofuels, large-scale cultivation and further research are still needed to determine its economic viability and assess potential environmental and social impacts. The document reviews jatropha cultivation methods, oil processing, end uses, genetic improvement efforts, and experiences with jatropha projects in Africa and Asia.
Jatropha Vegetable Oil: BioEnergy Fuel for the 3rd World Poor ZY8
This document summarizes information about Jatropha curcas L., a drought-resistant, inedible oil-bearing plant that has potential as a biofuel feedstock. It can grow in semi-arid regions with low soil quality and minimal care. While global Jatropha plantings were estimated at 900,000 hectares in 2008, forecasts suggest up to 12.8 million hectares by 2015. The document discusses Jatropha cultivation methods, seed processing and uses of the oil and byproducts. It also examines experiences with Jatropha production in Africa and Asia and considers its potential role in pro-poor development.
10 May 2021. Regenerative Agriculture vs. Agroecology: nomenclature hype or principle divergence?
(a) A decade of CSA: what are the achievements, the challenges and the bottlenecks? (b) What practical implications for smallholder farmers, agriculture and the environment?
Presentation by : Ken Giller Professor of Plant Production Systems – Wageningen University & Research.
The worldwide demand for energy is projected to increase 36% by 2035. Decisions made today about energy investments and vehicles may have long-lasting implications. The document outlines plans to establish a sustainable biofuel production model in India from non-food feedstock like Jatropha through large-scale cultivation and an integrated refinery process. This would help energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting farmers. The proposal seeks $1.75 million in angel funding and offers an excellent business plan to replicate this model internationally.
The worldwide demand for energy is projected to increase 36% by 2035. Decisions made today about energy investments and vehicles may have long-lasting implications. The document outlines plans to establish a sustainable biofuel production model in India from non-food feedstock like Jatropha through large-scale planting, oil processing facilities, research, and sales networks to meet energy needs, boost farmers' incomes, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposal seeks $1.75 million in angel investment and offers an established business plan and management team to execute the project.
The worldwide demand for energy is projected to increase 36% by 2035. Decisions made today about energy investments and vehicles may have long-lasting implications. The document outlines plans to establish an integrated biofuel production project in India from planting non-edible Jatropha seeds to producing diesel oil. It aims to be pro-poor and pro-farmer, establish contract farming, build a greenfield refinery using latest technology, and market the biodiesel while expanding to other countries. The goal is energy self-sufficiency for India and environmental benefits.
GF Energy Company aims to develop renewable energy sources that benefit the environment. In 2006, they built the largest biodiesel production plant in Greece. They have innovative technology, strategic partnerships for low-cost feedstock, and can use a variety of raw materials. Biodiesel is made from oils and fats and can be incorporated into existing fuel infrastructure. Glycerin and acid oils are byproducts that have various industrial uses. The company supports cultivating energy crops in Greece to solve energy problems while boosting agriculture.
This document discusses issues related to improving Indian agriculture. It identifies key issues such as revitalizing cooperatives, improving rural credit, research and education, and promoting trade. It emphasizes the need for better seeds, crop management using fertilizers and machinery efficiently, and conserving resources like water. The document outlines India's role in global agriculture production and constraints like limited arable land and water resources. It stresses producing more food sustainably with fewer resources to meet growing demand.
This document provides an abstract for the Global Market Study on Jatropha prepared for the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) by GEXSI LLP. The study aims to provide consolidated knowledge on the current status and future outlook of Jatropha projects globally, looking at scale, organization schemes, cultivation methods, and sustainability issues. It also provides background on the organizations involved, including WWF's work in sustainable biofuels and GEXSI's expertise in advising Jatropha projects.
Introduction to Diesel and Biodiesel
Sources of Biodiesel
Importance of biodiesel
Biodiesel – Key drivers and benefits.
Biodiesel – production potential in Ghana ( flags of our capability).
New generation of biodiesel production.
Challenges of Biodiesel production in Ghana.
The way forward- the Role of the Government.
Conclusion
References
India smart farming of ofsp for food, bioplastics, biofuel, shf income, econo...Tim Maurer
Cross-cutting India project to address smallholder farmer incomes, malnutrition and starvation, bioplastics and biofuels -- and begin to create a value chain and economic ecosystem.
Creating a sustainable food future - World Resources InstituteHNF IZZ
This document presents a menu of 22 solutions across 5 courses of action to close the food, land, and greenhouse gas emission gaps projected for 2050. The food gap is estimated at 7,400 trillion calories, the land gap at 593 million hectares, and the GHG mitigation gap at 11 gigatons of CO2 equivalent. The menu includes options to reduce food demand growth, increase food production without expanding agricultural land, protect ecosystems while limiting land-shifting, increase fish supply, and reduce agricultural GHG emissions. Ambitious coordinated action across all areas, including technological innovation, will be needed to achieve a sustainable food future.
1) SOWTech presents a case study of a new piece of equipment called a Flexigester that is designed to safely and affordably return human and animal waste to soil in order to combat loss of soil fertility threatening food security.
2) The Flexigester uses anaerobic digestion to break down organic wastes into nutrient-rich natural fertilizer and biogas, providing a sustainable way to return nutrients and organic matter to soils.
3) A trial of the Flexigester at an orphanage in Malawi demonstrated its potential for emergency sanitation applications, as it processed human waste, animal waste, and cooking waste to produce biogas while improving crop yields with the fertil
Ecosystem Analysis - Monsanto Seeds And Traitstecohen
The document summarizes Monsanto's corporate overview, strategy, products, and ecosystem services review. Monsanto is an international agricultural biotechnology firm that focuses on seeds and genomics. Their strategy includes technology agreements with farmers and acquisitions. Their products include genetically modified corn, cotton, and soybean seeds. An ecosystem services review identified genetic resources, climate change, and wild foods as top dependent services and identified applicable areas of regulation.
Similar to Breeding Sustainable Energy Crops For The Developing World (20)
Beyond Biodiesel - Running on Straight Vegetable OilXZ3
1. Penn State University conducted research running a New Holland tractor and Case wheel loader on straight vegetable oil (SVO) for over a year.
2. The SVO was produced from cold-pressed canola seeds grown on Penn State's farmland.
3. Results found the equipment performed normally with no issues when running on SVO, though long-term use may impact engine life due to carbon buildup. The research aims to further understanding of SVO as a renewable fuel alternative.
Blooming Futures: Fuelling Vehicles With Plant OilsXZ3
Blooming Futures is a UK company that has developed technology to convert diesel engines to run on pure plant oil (PPO) as a sustainable motor fuel. PPO has significantly lower carbon emissions than diesel. Blooming Futures aims to establish a UK supply chain for locally sourced PPO and make it available to private and commercial users. To promote PPO, Blooming Futures set up a fleet of 50 vehicles from local businesses that were converted to run on PPO, funded in part by DEFRA, called the Bio-Fleet Project.
Canola Power: Running your Car on Straight Vegetable OilXZ3
Robert Schauf from Barron, Wisconsin runs his 1,000-acre dairy farm entirely on straight vegetable oil (SVO) made from canola. He imported a small, automated cold press from Germany to extract the oil from canola seeds on his farm. With the press and conversion kits for his tractors costing $5,000 each, he is able to produce 35,000 gallons of canola oil fuel per year, saving $1-1.50 per gallon compared to diesel. German farmers visited also fuel their farms and vehicles with vegetable oil made from pressed canola or rapeseed on small, diversified family farms.
Compression Ignition Engine Modifications for Straight Vegetable Oil Fuel XZ3
This document discusses modifications made to allow a stationary diesel engine commonly used in developing countries to run on straight plant oils as a fuel substitute. The modification kit includes a preheating system and adjustments to the injector pressure and timing to improve atomization given plant oils' unique properties compared to diesel. Testing showed that with preheating of the high pressure fuel line and changes to injection parameters, the engine could efficiently utilize plant oils with performance similar to diesel, providing a potentially lower cost and sustainable fuel for remote rural areas.
Green Power: From Diesel Engines Burning Biological Oils and Recycled Fat XZ3
The document discusses MAN B&W Diesel's testing and use of liquid biofuels such as vegetable oils, waste oils, and recycled fat in medium-speed diesel engines for power generation. Workshop tests showed biofuels can be used with no major impacts to engine performance or emissions. Commercial operations have logged over 15,000 hours burning various biofuels with good reliability. The possibility of combining cost-effective and environmentally friendly power generation makes optimizing biofuel combustion in diesel engines important for renewable energy.
Grow your Own Biofuel Crop - Penn State UniversityXZ3
Fall-seeded canola varieties have potential as a straight biofuel crop that could also qualify as a cover crop. In Pennsylvania, farmers are growing camelina through a cooperative to supply oil to a local biofuel plant. About 300 acres of camelina were planted across 12 farms in Crawford County. The camelina's oil is pressed at a local plant while the remaining meal can be used as a livestock feed high in omega-3 fatty acids. The cooperative aims to expand camelina acres and involve more growers in 2009.
PDF SubmissionDigital Marketing Institute in NoidaPoojaSaini954651
https://www.safalta.com/online-digital-marketing/advance-digital-marketing-training-in-noidaTop Digital Marketing Institute in Noida: Boost Your Career Fast
[3:29 am, 30/05/2024] +91 83818 43552: Safalta Digital Marketing Institute in Noida also provides advanced classes for individuals seeking to develop their expertise and skills in this field. These classes, led by industry experts with vast experience, focus on specific aspects of digital marketing such as advanced SEO strategies, sophisticated content creation techniques, and data-driven analytics.
International Upcycling Research Network advisory board meeting 4Kyungeun Sung
Slides used for the International Upcycling Research Network advisory board 4 (last one). The project is based at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Explore the essential graphic design tools and software that can elevate your creative projects. Discover industry favorites and innovative solutions for stunning design results.
Architectural and constructions management experience since 2003 including 18 years located in UAE.
Coordinate and oversee all technical activities relating to architectural and construction projects,
including directing the design team, reviewing drafts and computer models, and approving design
changes.
Organize and typically develop, and review building plans, ensuring that a project meets all safety and
environmental standards.
Prepare feasibility studies, construction contracts, and tender documents with specifications and
tender analyses.
Consulting with clients, work on formulating equipment and labor cost estimates, ensuring a project
meets environmental, safety, structural, zoning, and aesthetic standards.
Monitoring the progress of a project to assess whether or not it is in compliance with building plans
and project deadlines.
Attention to detail, exceptional time management, and strong problem-solving and communication
skills are required for this role.
Decormart Studio is widely recognized as one of the best interior designers in Bangalore, known for their exceptional design expertise and ability to create stunning, functional spaces. With a strong focus on client preferences and timely project delivery, Decormart Studio has built a solid reputation for their innovative and personalized approach to interior design.
Visual Style and Aesthetics: Basics of Visual Design
Visual Design for Enterprise Applications
Range of Visual Styles.
Mobile Interfaces:
Challenges and Opportunities of Mobile Design
Approach to Mobile Design
Patterns
ARENA - Young adults in the workplace (Knight Moves).pdfKnight Moves
Presentations of Bavo Raeymaekers (Project lead youth unemployment at the City of Antwerp), Suzan Martens (Service designer at Knight Moves) and Adriaan De Keersmaeker (Community manager at Talk to C)
during the 'Arena • Young adults in the workplace' conference hosted by Knight Moves.
Revolutionizing the Digital Landscape: Web Development Companies in Indiaamrsoftec1
Discover unparalleled creativity and technical prowess with India's leading web development companies. From custom solutions to e-commerce platforms, harness the expertise of skilled developers at competitive prices. Transform your digital presence, enhance the user experience, and propel your business to new heights with innovative solutions tailored to your needs, all from the heart of India's tech industry.
Connect Conference 2022: Passive House - Economic and Environmental Solution...TE Studio
Passive House: The Economic and Environmental Solution for Sustainable Real Estate. Lecture by Tim Eian of TE Studio Passive House Design in November 2022 in Minneapolis.
- The Built Environment
- Let's imagine the perfect building
- The Passive House standard
- Why Passive House targets
- Clean Energy Plans?!
- How does Passive House compare and fit in?
- The business case for Passive House real estate
- Tools to quantify the value of Passive House
- What can I do?
- Resources
Breeding Sustainable Energy Crops For The Developing World
1. Breeding sustainable energy crops for the developing world
Pre-proposal draft prepared by G. Pressoir, June 29, 2006
Contacts:
Please contact Gael Pressoir, ghp5@cornell.edu, for any enquiry regarding this pre-proposal.
This project is sponsored by: Université Quisqueya, in Haiti.
Gael Pressoir, Ph.D Jacky Lumarque, Professor and President
Institute for Genomic Diversity Université Quisqueya
Biotechnology Building, Room 175 BP 796, Port-au-Prince,
Cornell University HAITI
Ithaca, NY 14853-2703 jlumarque@yahoo.com
USA
ghp5@cornell.edu
Ph: +1 (607) 255-1809
FAX: +1 (607) 254-6379
SUMMARY
The goal of this proposed research is the development of an efficient sustainable energy-crop
agro-system to provide an alternative source of energy in developing countries. This system
would rely on Jatropha curcas (hereafter ‘Jatropha’) nuts, which are rich in oil that has proven to
be highly suitable for the production of bio-diesel (methyl or ethyl-esters); additionally, the
straight vegetable oil can be burned directly in slightly modified diesel engines. Recent changes
in the global energy market mean that the oil-rich nut of Jatropha could create significant wealth
for farming communities and for the economy of the world’s poorest countries. We propose a
program aimed at the release of improved Jatropha varieties and corresponding seed and
propagation technologies that will allow for the development and establishment of successful
Jatropha agro-systems.
Page
Introduction 2
An environmentally friendly tree crop on Haiti’s hillsides and watersheds 4
Breeding and germplasm evaluation of Jatropha 5
Propagation technologies and the delivery of improved varieties 7
A market for Jatropha’s oil 8
Education and training 8
Estimated costs 9
References 9
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 10
Appendix: Participating institutions, presentation of stakeholders 12
1
2. INTRODUCTION
Jatropha curcas
Jatropha is a drought-resistant shrub with a set of unique properties. It is a drought-resistant
shrub that helps alleviate soil degradation and prevents wind and water soil erosion, allowing
reforestation and restoration of degraded land. Additionally, Jatropha sheds its leaves during the
dry season, allowing for soil enrichment and long-term improved soil fertility. It is often used as
a living hedge or fence by farmers in the developing world. The physic nut is a bush that can
grow in most regions around the equator. It has few requirements with respect to its
environment. Because of this, the physic nut can grow in areas that are unsuitable for other
plants, because they are too dry or too arid, or because they have been left by humans because of
soil depletion.
The need for energy crops in the developing world
Because of rising oil prices, for the first time, making energy from biomass seems increasingly
economically sound. Many developing countries have missed what is now known as the ‘green
revolution’. Today, we are on the verge of a new green revolution. Will these same countries be
left behind again?
Developed nations are prepared to invest considerable resources into the development of energy
crops for the production of biodiesel and bioethanol. The urgency of this effort was reflected
both in its recent mention by the President of the United States of America in his most recent
State of the union address and in the fact that Chevron, one of the world’s leading oil companies,
announced major investment for renewable energy such as ethanol and biodiesel. Countries like
Brazil have taken the lead in developing energy crops and the agro-industry that goes along with
it. In all of these countries, biofuels are now considered an important piece of national security
efforts. This international trend, driven both by the high prices of energy and the need for a more
secure energy source, suggests that the demand for biofuels is set to increase dramatically.
There is a great risk that the developing world will fail to develop appropriate crops and an
economically sustainable agro system in response to this need. Once again, the poorest countries
would be out-competed by emerging or developed countries that are now starting to make the
investments for tomorrow’s energy crops. History, however, need not repeat itself. The best
place to produce biomass all year long is under the tropics. The developing world is a natural
home for this industry, and yet (with the noteworthy exception of sugarcane/ethanol in Brazil),
there is no one developing the varieties for these latitudes!
The development of bio-energies would also be of great benefit to the domestic economy. The
enormous amounts of money used for the import of refined oil products could be diverted toward
the farmers and a local biofuel agro industry (most under-developed countries do not import oil
but refined oil products). Even in the poorest third-world country, gas, diesel and fuel always
represents a significant market and moreover a large share of these countries’ imports. Most third
world countries are heavily dependent on foreign fuel imports and the impact of this dependence
on the national currency as well as the balance of payments is considerable.
India has taken the lead in Jatropha cultivation because of its great potential for making
biodiesel. As in Brazil’s development of sugarcane, the Indian focus on physic nut has been
driven by a strong political will as well as long-term vision for the country’s wealth and energy
independence. Can we foster this new energy crop for the least developed countries that need it
the most?
2
3. Making agricultural cultivation sustainable on the land again
In sub-Saharan Africa, Haiti and many other poor countries, farmland is rapidly becoming barren
and incapable of sustaining an already-hungry population. Farmlands are plagued by severe land
degradation and erosion. We need to find a way to make agricultural cultivation sustainable on
the land again in tandem with the development of a local agro-industry in small towns. These
changes are necessary to end the tradition of migration to major urban centers of the country,
where only miserable poverty and brutal crime await the migrants no matter how much they may
hope for jobs.
Jatropha is not only a potential new cash crop for farmers of the developing world; it is also an
opportunity for developing new local agroindustries and is a tool for soil enrichment and, more
generally, in the fight against soil degradation and depletion. We will also add its positive role
for the environment by allowing carbon sequestration and reforestation of degraded land.
Goals and projected outputs
The aim of this project is to evaluate the genetic resources of the tropical shrub Jatropha (physic
nut) as an energy crop suitable for marginal and degraded lands of the tropics and to establish a
corresponding breeding program.
• We aim at establishing an efficient Jatropha germplasm repository (live collection) and the
development and release of germplasm (new improved varieties) adapted to the new needs of
the developing world.
• We will systematically evaluate the germplasm and make the results readily available. These
results and all the germplasm evaluated will be made available to all lesser developed
countries as well as to countries who contributed germplasm to the project.
• We will be releasing physic nut varieties aimed at biofuel (biodiesel) production and adapted
to the marginal areas and degraded land of developing countries. We aim to produce non-
toxic varieties with enhanced yield, oil content in percent of dry matter, and high oil oxidative
stability.
Why do we need to breed Jatropha? (Why can’t we just use available ecotypes and clones?)
Plant breeding is the most cost-effective way to achieve an increased and stable yield. While
native Jatropha or outstanding individuals that can readily be cloned offer an already-substantial
yield and drought tolerance, plant breeding would allow for continuous increase and release of
ever more productive varieties. In industrial terms, this increase will translate to, for example, oil
with increased oxidative stability and other properties that will lower the cost of making biodiesel
and enhance its quality. Varieties with higher oil content in percent of dry weight will also
provide increased revenue per working-hour for the farmers. The development of non-toxic
varieties will allow farmers to have additional markets for their product (not just biodiesel). The
‘green revolution’ for major cereals would not have been made possible without the release of
outstanding varieties. A new green revolution will require also new outstanding energy crop
varieties.
A Jatropha breeding program in Haiti,
breeding and releasing Jatropha varieties for the whole developing world
Our research program will be based in Haiti, which has a wide range of habitats and presents
many environmental and economic problems that can be addressed by our research.
3
4. Haiti’s climate is mainly tropical with some semiarid regions conditions where mountains, in the
east, cut off the trade winds. Haiti is located within the Jatropha’s natural range (Central
America, South America, and the Caribbean). Rainfall patterns range from as low as 400 mm of
water per year to above 2000 mm, and altitudes range from sea level to above 2,500 meters
covering the germplasm and breeding needs for most regions of sub-Saharan Africa, the
Caribbean, Central America, and India.
AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TREE CROP
ON HAITI’S HILLSIDES AND WATERSHEDS
The environmental need for Jatropha in Haiti
Haiti is very mountainous and very prone to erosion and soil depletion. Over the decades, the
Haitian peasants have deforested the mountains to make charcoal for cooking. On many of
Haiti’s watersheds, there are virtually no trees and little topsoil left to soak up rainwater and
prevent it from racing downhill; most of them are now barren to such extent that valleys and
plains face flooding catastrophes such as those that recently made international headlines
including mudslides in Gonaives in September 2004 and in Mapou in May 2004; together, these
events cost thousands of lives, and left thousands more homeless. If nothing is done, Haiti will
face more flooding catastrophes and large-scale death tolls. Hillside land is often so degraded
that even sorghum will no longer grow, leaving the farmers with no staple source of food. It is
urgent to provide Haitian’s peasants with an environmentally friendly cash tree crop that will
grow and stabilize Haiti’s most impoverished soils.
The economic need for Jatropha in Haiti
Poverty-stricken Haiti is totally deprived of natural resources. Because of the lack of foreign
currency to buy imported fuel, Haiti faces acute energy shortages. In 2005, Haiti imported over
250 million dollars worth of fuel; over half of it was diesel; some 35 to 50 percent of Haiti’s hard
currency is required to cover the cost of petroleum imports. In Haiti, fuel is one of the largest
markets; it represents about one fifth to one sixth of the country’s total imports. These figures are
ones of a country plagued by energy shortages; current diesel imports are far from covering the
country’s electrical needs. (Most of the electricity is produced from diesel fuel and last year the
country covered less than 25% of its needs.)
Haiti is also the poorest country in the Western hemisphere; more than half its inhabitants survive
on less than $1 per day. Haiti needs new crops that will provide revenues to its poorest peasants
and be friendly to the environment. It also needs new crops that will stimulate a local
agroindustry and job creation outside of the major urban centers.
A new crop to shape Haiti’s future
As mentioned earlier, Jatropha provides solutions to many of these challenges. Jatropha
plantations and the biodiesel agro-industry could help improve the livelihood of poor people in
local communities and could contribute to Haiti reforestation and land reclamation as well as soil
improvement (currently less then 1.5% of Haiti’s surface is covered by forest) and finally help
ease the burden on oil imports on the country’s finance and economy.
4
5. BREEDING AND GERMPLASM EVALUATION OF
JATROPHA CURCAS
Jatropha has unique advantages that will facilitate breeding. It is naturally an outcrosser, has a
short maturity cycle for a tree (just over one year), and can be vegetatively propagated. The latter
characteristic allows duplicating individuals across replications and locations in order to precisely
estimate its genotypic value for traits of agronomic interest.
Traits that will be evaluated in the germplasm and for breeding
Yield or oil quality related traits, including:
• Yield
• Increased oil in percent of dry seed weight
• Oxidative stability of the oil and the fruit
• Oil composition and quality (cetane number, iodine value, cloud point, saponification
number, etc…)
• Fruit and seed size
• Number of fruit per inflorescence
• Number of inflorescence per plant
Seed toxicity (there are many reports of non toxic ecotypes; for example phorbol ester free
ecotypes from the State of Quintana Roo in Mexico):
• Diterpen phorbol esters content
• Curcin content
Interaction between seed-toxicity with grazing and insect resistance will also be investigated.
Plant evaluation in both the breeding program and the germplasm evaluation will be done in
multiple locations covering the diverse ecologies and climates of the tropics.
The current project in its first phase contains five major components
1) Establishing a live collection of Jatropha curcas
Plants will be collected across the species’ natural range in the Americas. While we will make
sure to cover the whole range of the species, a significant emphasis will be given to the collection
of ecotypes or individuals with special traits (non toxic accessions for example).
The collection will be made available upon request to all lesser developed countries and countries
contributing germplasm to the collection.
2) Evaluation of the collection
The collection will be evaluated for its genetic variation for agronomic traits, in order to
understand how this genetic variation is partitioned across the species’ natural range, and allow
estimation of the expected breeding response and breeding values in the germplasm collection.
We will use the latest development in partitioning genetic variance for quantitative traits using
information from molecular markers to estimate key genetic parameters such as narrow sense
heritability, genetic correlations, establishment of breeding index, breeding values, using new
mixed linear model approaches with marker based estimates of relatedness. These methods will
allow the estimation of these key genetic parameters very early on in the program before
generating controlled crosses; we will use off the shelf and inexpensive genotyping (DART,
SHIP or HIPS technologies for example). For example, genotypic correlation between traits at a
5
6. juvenile stage and at the plants full yielding potential as well as yield achieved across the plants
life span will be investigated using existing populations where adult and young Jatropha plants
coexist (the previously mentioned marker-based methodologies are particularly useful for that
purpose as they allow analysis of these currently existing plantations saving time, money and
effort).
3) ‘Fast track’ breeding program to respond to the immediate needs and to stakeholder’s
demand
Outstanding clones for yield and oil content (percent of dry mass) identified in the germplasm
evaluation will be selected as scion. We will identify rootstock populations adapted to the soils
and conditions prevailing in Haiti hillsides and watersheds (Jatropha is a native plant to Haiti and
natural wild populations are commonly found). This is similar strategy to the one adopted in
India were Jatropha clones with an oil content above 45% of dry weight have been released. In
the heart of the species’ natural range, we will have access to much broader genetic variation for
this early selection program.
4) Mutagenesis as a tool for Jatropha domestication.
Plant domestication is considered as the process of altering, through directed breeding and
selection, the genetic makeup of a species so as to increase the species usefulness to humans.
Major domestication traits are generally the consequence of large effect mutations that humans
selected thousands of years ago. Today we can repeat this same experiment, which our ancestors
carried thousands of years ago during the Neolithic, in Jatropha.
Most modern oleaginous cultivars have been developed using mutagenesis to increase the
oxidative stability of the oil by decreasing the levels of linoleic acid (C18:2) and increasing, in
the same proportions, the levels of oleic acid (C18:1). Increases in oleic acid content can
potentially be achieved by reducing the activity of oleate desaturase the enzyme which converts
oleate into linoleate in the developing seed. EMS mutants have been successfully obtained which
raise oleic acid up to 80%, these modern varieties do not produce linoleic acid. A decrease in
linoleic acid content increases the oil’s and biodiesel oxidative stability.
Curcin is a lectin that specifically inactivates mammalian ribosome, which makes it particularly
toxic to goats, cows and humans. These lectins can be completely inactivated by heat treatment
(66% moisture, 121 degree C for 30 min). But a curcin free seed would greatly improve
Jatropha economics by opening a new market to the Jatropha raw meal. Because they are of
potential interest to finding a cure to certain forms of cancer, the curcin genes of Jatropha have
been cloned (Qin et al, 2005, J. Biosci. 30: 351-357). There are two curcin genes; one is
expressed in the seeds and the other in the vegetative parts of the plants (especially in leaves).
Mutagenesis could be used to knock out the curcin gene expressed in the seeds.
Mutagenenesis (EMS, X or Gamma rays) will be used to generate mutants disrupting key genes
of the fatty acids pathway as well as the seed specific curcin gene. We will make Jatropha seeds
fully edible to mammals and with an enhanced oxidative stability.
5) Setting a pool for recurrent selection
We will develop a breeding strategy based on the germplasm evaluation results, and identify a
subset of the germplasm evaluated for implementation of this strategy. The idea is to fully
integrate germplasm evaluation with the first cycles of breeding in order to speed-up creation of
breeding material. A recurrent selection scheme on the appropriate germplasm pool(s) will be
6
7. established. Recurrent selection on pools and populations will allow continuous gain in
agronomic performance and the release of ever more productive varieties.
Jatropha can be propagated vegetatively; therefore, we will establish the varietals release both as
open pollinated varieties (OPVs, population) and as vegetatively propagated elite clones or scion.
Expected response to selection
Jatropha is genetically diverse for many of the traits of interest (clones with oil content as high as
47% have been reported in India; as for yield, 17 fold yield differences have been measured for
Jatropha individuals evaluated under same common garden in Madagascar). Plant breeding and
recurrent selection will allow the creation of varieties with outstanding performance for all the
traits being selected. Due to Jatropha curcas’ high genetic diversity, we expect to make major
gains from breeding.
PROPAGATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE
DELIVERY OF IMPROVED VARIETIES
Jatropha can be propagated through seeds, plantlets from tissue culture, from grafting and finally
from cuttings. Grafting shortens time to maturity and harvest by 4 months allowing individuals
to yield within the first year. Cuttings and tissue culture allow for the rapid mass production of
plantlets; however, the plantlets produced may not develop a true tap-root (tap-root may play a
non-negligible role in adult plant drought adaptation).
The project will aim at testing and developing the required technology and techniques for mass
seed and/or plantlet production. Effect of these strategies on agronomic performance, yield and
drought tolerance will be evaluated. We will ensure that adequate training is provided to partner
NGOs, seed companies and farmers organizations for mass seed or plantlets production.
Insuring the delivery of outstanding improved germplasm to farmers, to NGOs or agencies
involved in reforestation programs and to private companies or ventures investing in
Jatropha plantations for biodiesel production
We will ensure the delivery of plants to commercial growers; whether they are small scale
farmers, communities harvesting Physic nuts from areas under reforestation or large commercial
growers, an efficient breeding program will have to deliver products adapted to their needs. To
evaluate varieties before they are released and better respond to growers needs, we will
collaborate with seed companies, Jatropha growers as well as NGOs working with peasants or
local communities (participatory plant evaluation). Collaboration is also being established in
Haiti with a small company with know-how in tissue culture propagation for mass-production of
plantlets; in vitro propagation will also facilitate the production of disease-free elite material that
can be shipped to other countries. We will also foster the establishment of an international testing
network as soon as improved varieties are made available.
7
8. A MARKET FOR JATROPHA’S OIL
If we are to develop a new crop, we need to ensure that there is a market for the growers’ product.
There is a strong demand in Haiti which annually imports 240 million US dollars of fuel. This is
one of the largest existing markets in Haiti. Making bio-diesel requires little investment. This
investment can be made in a small town; companies like BioKing sell a whole processing system
for less then $ 20,000.00. New technologies are rapidly emerging that could even drive this price
down further.
When we start releasing varieties or set up trials with farmers, we will also establish small bio-
diesel pilot plants. By no means is this intended to substitute for investment from the private
sector; rather, these pilot plants will be established as demonstration facilities for testing
technologies and training of technical staff from potential investors in bio-diesel manufacturing.
While the initial investment will be made by the project, these facilities are intended to be self
sustaining (selling bio-diesel). A chemical or petroleum engineer working for the project will
also be responsible for the technological and strategic intelligence as well as for the development
and/or implementation of locally adapted/adaptable technologies.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Twenty percent (20%) of the ‘Jatropha team’ members’ time is to be dedicated to education and
training. While we will teach at Haiti’s participating universities and school of agronomy, the
project will take the lead in four crucial areas targeted at professionals working or planning to
work in the Jatropha agro-business:
1) Training skilled grafters and Jatropha propagators
The audience for this formation is technicians or employees of NGOs working in agriculture,
seed companies as well as members of farmers’ organizations. Its focus will be on applied ‘seed’
technology such as grafting, quality scion production, rootstock seed multiplication and planting.
2) Seminar and workshop on the economics of oil agro-industry
The target audience is all stakeholders and local entrepreneurs potentially interested in
developing such an agro-industry. It will aim at providing information on the economics of the
Jatropha oil business. It is meant as an introduction to the following workshop.
3) Oil production and processing workshop
The target audience for this formation is local entrepreneurs about to invest in an oil processing
facility (adequate funding and a business plan are required). This workshop will be focused on
the production of quality biodiesel and its high market-value by-products (glycerol and soap).
4) Electricity generation from straight Jatropha vegetable oil or from biodiesel
This workshop aims at fostering small or mid-size power generation facility for villages and
small towns (all of which have currently no access to the ‘existing’ electric grid). Experience in
mechanics and sponsorship by a local community or local government with the adequate funding
along with plans to establish such a facility will be required.
8
9. ESTIMATED COSTS
The establishment of the collection and initiation of the breeding program will require: a
geneticist and plant breeder (Gael Pressoir), a botanist (Jean Vilmond Hilaire, head of Haiti’s
herbarium) will contribute to the initial collection establishment phase, two agronomist (one
working in Jatropha breeding, the other in propagation technology), two field assistants, a
chemical or petroleum engineer that will head the laboratory (evaluating oil content, oil quality,
biodiesel quality, seed toxicity, development and/or implementation of technologies for using
biodiesel or straight vegetable oil), two lab assistants, and twelve field technicians. The positions
will be based in Haiti at one of the participating and supporting institutions.
The estimated costs for salaries, equipment, for establishing and maintaining the collection
(fields, irrigation), the multi-location trial sites, germplasm evaluation, breeding, training and
setting of pilot plants are estimated around $ 500,000 per year.
REFERENCES
While there are few published articles on Jatropha curcas, we have found the following books,
documents and web sites, all available over the internet, particularly useful when writing the
current pre-proposal.
Heller J. 1996. Physic nut, Jatropha curcas. Promoting the Conservation and Use of
Underutilized and Neglected Crops. International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI),
Rome, Italy. http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/publications/pdf/161.pdf
Portnoff M. 2006. Prospects for biodiesel and pure plant oil in Haiti. (Draft)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, TNAU. Jatropha production technology.
http://tnau.ac.in/tech/swc/evjatropha.pdf
‘The Jatropha system’. Web site dedicated to Jatropha resources over the web.
http://www.jatropha.de/
The Ecoport Jatropha curcas web page
http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=1297&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=full
9
10. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Why Jatropha curcas?
kg
Crop oil/ha
corn (maize) 145
cashew nut 148
cotton 273
soybean 375
euphorbia 440
pumpkin seed 449
mustard seed 481
sunflowers 800
cocoa (cacao) 863
peanuts 890
opium poppy 978
rapeseed 1000
olives 1019
castor beans 1188
pecan nuts 1505
jojoba 1528
jatropha 1590
macadamia nuts 1887
brazil nuts 2010
avocado 2217
coconut 2260
oil palm 5000
Of all the oil producing crops with the highest yield potential, Jatropha is the only one adapted to
depleted soils in tropical semi-arid regions. Of the top six species in the list presented above,
Jatropha is the only drought tolerant.
Amazingly, Jatropha achieves a high yield despite being a non-domesticated plant. Given the
genetic makeup of this species, we can expect to dramatically improve this yield (kg of oil/ha).
Due to this potential, in India, eleven millions ha of presently unused lands are to be cultivated
with Jatropha (that is more then four times Haiti’s total land mass!)
Why would you also breed for an edible cake meal?
Sunflower plants yield more than twice the amount of oil per unit area than do soybean plants,
and yet sunflower oil is still more expensive than soybean oil. That is because the soybean cake
meal has a considerable value on the market. Jatropha cake meal is protein rich, making it a
highly attractive animal feed. Making Jatropha seeds edible will increase its economic value
(two worthy products instead of one).
10
11. Why not ethanol as in Brazil or as planned in the USA?
• Haiti presently imports over twice as much diesel fuel as gasoline (ethanol is a substitute of
gasoline).
• Haiti heavily depends on diesel for the production of electricity.
• Ethanol requires distillation, which is very energy-intensive.
• Oil processing and production of bio-diesel is far less demanding in terms of technology and
investments.
• Plant oil can be used directly; pure plant oil may be used to operate modified diesel engines
for local electric power generation, grinding mills, seed crushing operations, water pumps,
irrigation, and small industry. There is precedent for this in Africa and Asia.
11
12. THE PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS
A. Université Quisqueya
Jacky Lumarque, Professor and President
Université Quisqueya
BP 796, Port-au-Prince
HAITI
jlumarque@yahoo.com
B. The Institute for Genomic Diversity, Cornell University
Stephen Kresovich, Professor and Director
Institute for Genomic Diversity
130 Biotechnology Building
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853-2703
sk20@cornell.edu
Ph: +1 (607) 254-7261
FAX: +1 (607) 254-6379
C. Université d’état d’Haiti
Jean vilmond Hilaire, MSc
Ecole Normale Supérieure, Responsable d’activité Herbarium National
hvilmond@yahoo.fr
12
13. STAKEHOLDERS
List of institutions, Seed Company, and other Jatropha stakeholders that have expressed interest
in collaborating with this project (this list is non-exhaustive as new partnerships and
collaborations are being established)
A. List of Institutes, in the Dominican Republic
Frantz Flambert
Instituto Dominicano de Desarollo Integral, IDDI,
Web site: http://www.iddi.org
E-mail: drflambert@douyon.com
IDDI is a non-profit organization created in 1984 with the sole purpose to fight poverty, in urban
as well as rural areas. IDDI manages a GTZ (German developing agency) funded Jatropha
plantation project on the Haitian/Dominican border.
B. Potential collaborators within the private sector
In vitro micropropagation of plantlets
Bio Récolte SA
Bio Récolte SA is the only seed company in Haiti capable of tissue culture for mass production of
plantlets; it has recently heavily invested in staff training in micropropagation techniques for
vegetative multiplication (currently micropropagating: plantains, potato and sweet-potato). Its
sister company is PermAgri SA described bellow.
Permagri SA
Permagri SA, has a wide span of activities, including vitroplants acclimatization, field
production, agri processing (tuber and roots, and cabbage) and energy from biomass production
(biogaz and biodiesel).
Permagri SA is currently under contract by the Haitian government to manage a project involving
fifty small scale (<2 ha), fifty middle scale (between 2 and 20 ha) and 5 large scale (over 20 ha)
Jatropha growers.
Permagri SA and Bio Récolte SA
Joel Ducasse, President and CIO
Cell phone: +509 404 2025
Phone: +509 257 0396
E-mail: biorsa@yahoo.com
Joel Ducasse is a Haitian agronomist with a diversified group of agri-business holdings (including
Bio Recolte Sa and PermAgri SA). His agricultural experience has been wide ranged from
consulting and field management to husbandry and agricultural processing.
13
14. C. NGOs working with small scale farmers or reforestation who showed interest in this
project
Floresta
Scott C. Sabin, Executive Director
Floresta, USA
Phone: 858-274-3718
Web site: http://www.floresta.org
E-mail: ssabin@floresta.org
Bob Morikawa, Technical Director
Phone: 416-724-2441
E-mail: robertmorikawa@yahoo.ca
Floresta USA and its Dominican sister organization, Floresta Incorporada were founded in 1984,
out of a new vision for economic development that would be sustainable and benefit the
environment. Floresta sought to make lasting change through development that restored
productivity to degraded land and dignity to the rural poor, while providing opportunities for
upcoming generations. Floresta currently has programs running in the Dominican Republic, Haiti
and Tanzania.
14