Photos of 2001
Photos of 2002
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The purpose of the project 

is to help reduce bio-diversity loss while increasing household livelihood security and income of rural women by introducing the Jatropha system through the provision of technical assistance, training, extension, production and marketing so that at the end of the project the result will be new rural industries of soap making and fuel production through which rural women can increase their income.

The project is designed 

to create sustainable income generating opportunities for rural women in Monduli District. The objective is to strengthen and build local capacity of pastoralist women to engage in Jatropha related activities for the benefit of their families, and district in general.

Jatropha curcus L. 

is a drought resistant perennial, growing well on marginal soils. Jatropha is originally from tropical America, yet it is now widespread in many arid and semiarid areas in Asia and Africa as well. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives and produces its seed for up to 50 years. Jatropha is used as living fence to protect fields from browsing animals and as a hedge row to prevent wind and water erosion.

The seeds of Jatropha 

contain viscous, non-edible oil, which can be used for manufacturing candles and soap; as a raw material in the cosmetics industry; for cooking and lighting, or as a substitute for diesel. The seed cake is high in nitrogen and can be used as fertilizer.

At the moment, the potential of Jatropha 

as a hedgerow, a living fence and as an alternative source of income for Tanzanian small holders is not completely clear. It is proposed to execute a small, one-year pilot project to experiment with the technical and economic features of Jatropha products. This pilot project will prepare the ground for a possible follow-up project of 3 to 4 years focussing on the development of a small scale, commercial Jatropha oil industry.

last modification  17.02.03 by