Handbook on Jatropha Curcas: Jatropha Handbook First Draft
FACT FOUNDATION http://www.fact-fuels.org March 2006
Introduction
Jatropha Curcas has the advantage that not only is it capable of growing on
marginal land, but it can also help to reclaim problematic lands and restore eroded
areas. As it is not a food or forage crop, it plays an important role in deterring cattle, and thereby protects other valuable food or cash crops. Jatropha seeds can be
pressed into bio-oil that can be used to run diesel engines, which in turn can drive
pumps, food processing machinery, or electricity generators. The bio-oil can also be
the basis for soap making. The pressed residue of the seeds is a good fertilizer and
can also be used for biogas production.
Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................ 3
CHAPTER 1: GENERAL DATA ON JATROPHA.......................................................................................... 4
1.1 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION....................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 OCCURRENCE: ..................................................................................................................................... 5
1.3 ECOLOGY............................................................................................................................................. 6
1.4 PROPERTIES ......................................................................................................................................... 8
1.5 USES .................................................................................................................................................... 9
CHAPTER 2: JATROPHA PLANTING MANUAL....................................................................................... 14
2.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................. 14
2.2 ECOLOGY........................................................................................................................................... 15
2.3 AGRONOMY ....................................................................................................................................... 15
2.4 INDIA ................................................................................................................................................. 18
2.5 ZIMBABWE AND SOUTHERN AFRICA................................................................................................... 21
2.6 ZAMBIA ............................................................................................................................................. 23
CHAPTER 3: HARVESTING.......................................................................................................................... 24
CHAPTER 4: OIL PRESSING AND PURIFICATION ................................................................................. 25
4.1 PRESSING OF OIL................................................................................................................................ 25
4.2 PURIFICATION OF VEGETABLE OIL [2] ................................................................................................. 28
4.3 QUALITY ASPECTS [2] ......................................................................................................................... 30
CHAPTER 5 USE OF JATROPHA PRODUCTS...................................................................................... 33
5.1 APPLICATIONS OF OIL ......................................................................................................................... 33
5.2 APPLICATIONS OF OTHER JATROPHA PRODUCTS ................................................................................. 38
CHAPTER 6 IMPLEMENTATION................................................................................................................. 40
6.1 PRODUCTION MODELS......................................................................................................................... 40
6.2 FINANCIAL MODELS TO INTRODUCE JATROPHA WITH FARMERS.......................................................... 40