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Project Information Title: Evaluation of the energy crop Jatropha curcas as a mean to promote renewable and sustainable energy for the Mediterranean region (JatroMed) Duration: July 2011-July 2015 Partner Countries: Greece (Coordinator), Italy, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria Demonstration fields in: Borg El Arab/Egypt, Essaouira/Morocco, Adrar/Algeria Number of genotypes used: Eight Cultivation treatments: Two levels of fertilization, of irrigation and of pruning Co-funded by: European Union EC contribution: 64 % Own contribution: 36 % -
Project Overview
JatroMed is focusing on the cultivation of Jatropha curcas in small-scale, community-based initiatives for local use. The main aim of the project is to make small farmers and rural communities familiar with the cultivation, the potentials and the advantages of this crop. For this scope eight jatropha genotypes have been collected worldwide and are planted in demonstration fields. In each partner country four genotypes have been established: two common among countries (for comparison reasons), and two different, chosen according to their characteristics and to the needs of the local community. Each genotype is cultivated in one hectare and is treated under different levels of fertilization, irrigation and pruning. CRA-ING (Italy) is dealing with the mechanical harvest by modifying existing machines and is accomplishing field tests in the demonstration fields. The performance and adaptability of each genotype is recorded and evaluated and the most suitable genotype for introduction to each country will be determined.
Stakeholders and final beneficiaries are invited and motivated to visit the demonstration fields. They are informed and will become familiar with all the cultivation techniques and the stages of production. Part of the produced oil and seedcake will be used for further analysis within the framework of the project. The rest will be offered to local people, who are the final beneficiaries, in order to introduce them to the new products. Both oil and seedcake will be distributed to the target areas for free; thus, i) oil will cover a part of the local energy needs and people will gain familiarity with its use as a fuel, ii) women will be informed about the use of Jatropha oil for soap making and other uses, increasing their opportunities for work and employment, and iii) farmers will be informed so that they can increase their soil fertility and earn additional profit from the utilisation of seedcake as fertiliser. All these will be accomplished through the scheduled activities.
