With new high yielding seeds, a refined agronomic whole plant utilisation approach, Jatropha can be used to maximise revenue generation in a sustainable way. Jatropha is a promising source of biofuel and biomass can be recycled, contributing to a circular economy. Its ability to grow in relatively poor soil conditions and areas with relatively low rainfall – degraded and marginal lands – where other oil crops might fail, allows communities to make use of otherwise unproductive land. Jatropha also requires relatively less use of chemical fertilisers and has a low pollution footprint to water and air. Introducing it to marginal land will have positive effects on preventing erosion and bringing back health to the soil in the long run.
Sites that are not suitable for other crops (e.g., ex-coal mining sites) will be identified and Jatropha will be piloted as a new crop for community farmers. Seeds and agronomic supervision will be provided to communities, the offtake of the Jatropha nuts will be guaranteed, and an appropriate processing infrastructure will be established. Economic knowledge, a team of experts, and the same management approach used in nucleus plantations will help smallholder farmers maximise yield and whole plant utilisation will be explored to maximise the revenue stream.
This project offers an opportunity to ensure an evolving, durable and sustainable ecosystem to ensure fair deals for farmers while contributing to the local economy and supplementing income of rural communities. The benefits of small and large land managers working together on such projects prepares the supporting system for the next generation of farmers and creates more resilient communities.
Collaboration and mutual agreement with local communities is critical for success. Hence, transparency, inclusivity, and free expression are essential in efforts to drive civil societal participation and the Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) approach will be taken for community endorsement. There will be on-going dialogue with local representatives to jointly agree on land use to ensure food security, conservation and other areas for economic use are mapped. This participatory planning will limit the project's expansion into conservatory forests or land, thus minimising the risk of deforestation and maintaining environmental conservation.