Jatropha reality check: a field assessment of the agronomic and economic viability of Jatropha and other oilseed crops in Kenya

German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) has commissioned this study as part of an effort to support informed decision-making by policymakers and priv ate investors. In 2008, the Government of Kenya and GTZ supported a team of experts to prepare a “Roadmap for Biofuels” for Kenya. The Roadmap assessed the theoretical potential of various biofuel feedstocks and made recommendations on how to tap this potential. Follo wing the presentation of these findings, a wide range of stakeholders called for additional empirica l information and actual experiences with biofuel feedstocks, and in particular with Jatropha . This study attempts to fill this gap through a systematic and comprehensive stocktaking of the experiences and knowledge in Kenya of Jatropha and of two other potential oilseed crops, Castor and Croton . Fluctuating oil prices and increasing concerns ab out climate change have led to a global boom of investments and enthusiasm for liquid biofuels over the past few years. In Kenya, much of the excitement has revolved around the shrubby-tree named Jatropha curcas , or Jatropha for short. Nearly everywhere you turn, someone is promoting this “wond er crop” as the solution to our energy woes. Perhaps even more seductive than claims of energy independence, however, has been the argument that Jatropha can alleviate rural poverty and make use of marginal land not suitable for food production. Reading some news reports, this has seemed like a real win-win situation. Farmers, biofuel producers, consumers, and the environment wo uld all benefit from growing and processing Jatropha . According to an article on Time Magazine’s website from earlier this year, “renewable energy, it turns out, does grow on trees...unlik e corn and other biofuel sources, the Jatropha doesn’t have to compete with food crops for arable land. Even in the worst of soils, it grows like weeds.” i Local papers have also joined in the chorus of prai se for this seemingly magical crop, with unverified claims like “ Jatropha is resistant to drought, pests...” and “[e]xperts say an [sic] hectare of Jatropha can produces [sic] 1,900 litres of fuel.” ii Of course, the so-called “experts” are rarely cited and, even when they are, the basis of their statements is almo st never verified. News headlines have continued the parade of stories about Jatropha’s vast potential: “New Investme nts to Create 13,000 New Jobs,” iii “Tree That Holds Solution to Fuel Crisis and Environmental Conservation,” iv and “Boosting Biofuels Without Compromising Food Security.” v Various non-governmental organizations and small private sector companies and individuals have further contributed to the Jatropha hype by conveying overly optim istic claims about its agronomic suitability and economic potential. As explained in mo re detail below, some of these activities may have been linked with interests in selling Jatropha seeds and seedlings to farmers at inflated prices. As a result, many farmers began planting the new crop with little agro nomic extension support, which has led to poor production and an unpredicta ble, scattered market for selling their seeds

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