Govt to decide on Jatropha project
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Thursday March 9, 2017 16:10
It is hoped its large scale cultivation could bring greater energy diversity for the country and the promise of an alternative revenue source for farmers.
For five years, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) partnered government and the University of Botswana (UB) with a large plot of Jatropha in Sebele, as well as trials of the biofuel at the UB. The trials were able to move a vehicle.
This week, Japanese researchers and their local counterparts presented their findings to senior government officials and other stakeholders.
Overall project coordinator, Themba Gift Modise told Mmegi that government will chart a clear road map in two weeks time.
“At this time we only have the research findings so I can’t say exactly what’s next. As government we will meet in two weeks and map a way forward. Everything will be clear as to what we are going to do next,” he said. Meanwhile, researchers have expressed uncertainty about the viability of the project. While they say see value in the project, many advise against going large scale at the beginning.
Professor Clever Ketlogetswe from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UB said that while Jatrohpa biofuel could be developed to provide electricity for communities when blended with petroleum fuels, this would require “extended funding”.
“There will be financial implications. The way forward needs to be funded for the proposed implementation strategy,” he said.
He further said that the Department of Central Transport Organization (CTO) has shown interest in testing two of their biofuel-run vehicles and arrangement will soon be finalised to perform all the necessary tests.
Professor Gagoitseope Mmopelwa said a Jatropha production project can only be considered economically sustainable if it is able to earn cash flow from the sale of seeds or oil to cover the cost of production and make profit over the life of a project, while having minimal negative social and environmental impacts.
Mmopelwa said Jatropha crop is still a wild plant and little is known about its agronomy.
“It was promoted on expectations of high seed yield in marginal land with limited rainfall and low fertility, but seed yield have been found to be significantly lower, rendering production of the crop economically non-viable particularly on large scale production.
“An attempt should be made to ensure that all Jatropha biofuel projects are piloted before they are implemented in order to test their economic viability,” he said.