BIO DIESEL

The Jatropha Plant


Jatropha curcas (“J. curcas” or “Jatropha”), a hardy succulent native to Central American countries, including Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Mexico, has been imported and cultivated by European settlers on the island of Hispaniola (i.e. in the Dominican Republic and Haiti) for centuries.


It was and is used as poles in fencing properties and in livestock protection. Because of its rapid growth and vegetative rooting it is used as living fences. Its rapid growth also made it a source of fuel wood. It is used to this day in traditional medicine. Its mild toxicity makes it unpalatable to livestock. It is also a shrub without a locally documented disease. It thrives on poorer non-food soils and is drought resistant.


Jatropha trees produce clusters of fruit about the size of a large plum, each containing two to three large seeds. The trees begin producing within just eight or nine months. The trees produce clusters of fruit on dozens of branches, which are then harvested by hand. The fruit tends to ripen at different times on the tree rather than all at once, as happens with most domesticated crops. Consequently, farm laborers will harvest the crop over periods of about three months twice a year, providing a somewhat constant supply of feedstock for DRI. Jatropha trees reach maturity (i.e. full capacity) within 5 years. They will have to be replanted after only 40-50 years to maintain the yield. Aside from the initial pruning and general maintenance, the plants need little additional input or investment.

Issue

Why Jatropha

DRI’s has chosen to focus on Jatropha, due to its high yields and longevity. However, since it takes the plant up to 5 years to get to full maturity (and full yield capacity), DRI will grow both Castor and Jatropha in the immediate term and convert to full Jatropha as the Castor plants wane. Castor plants last up to three to five years before they must be replanted. Were DRI to focus on Castor, their short life span would increase DRI’s agricultural and management costs. Additionally, Castor yields less oil per acre than Jatropha. Castor does, however, reach full maturity in one year at which point it offers full yields. Initially, DRI may also source local and imported vegetable oils to meet its refining capacity and sales demand as its Jatropha feedstock matures.