Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Long-term Europe-Africa Research and Innovation Partnership for Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture

Titre : Development of sustainable production and utilization technologies of Jatropha curcas biofuel for reducing rural poverty in West Africa

Pays/Région : Senegal ; Burkina Faso ; Benin

Date : Start date 2012-01-01 // End date 2015-01-01

Type de projet : Applied research project

Contexte
In West Africa,chronic energy deficiency and poverty especially in rural areas have brought about many countries to introduce biofuel crops as new agricultural chain to diversify farmers income and stimulate the rural economy.

In Senegal, as in Burkina Faso and Benin, the political option for biofuels is based primarily on the promotion of Jatropha curcas. The choice of this species is justified by the fact that, it produces seeds rich in oil easily convertible into biodiesel meeting international standards. The oil can be combusted as fuel without being refined. It is found to be growing in many parts of west African countries. Many J. curcas plantation experiences were capitalized.

However, the sustainability of J. curcas cultivation programs could be compromized by the lack of scientific knowledge on this plant. The technology gap for oil processing and equipment for biofuel use is a major handicap

Objectif
In this context, the specific objective of the project is to develop sustainable production and use technologies of J. curcas biofuel.

Présentation
• The implementation strategy is based on a multidisciplinary, participatory and multi-actor approach.

• It combines research methods in social sciences, experimental sciences and modeling.

• Research activities are conducted at different scales : laboratory, research station and on-farm.

• Pilot sites were selected in countries to concentrate on-farm research activities and thus, promote synergy and sharing data particularly for the development of models.

• An internal participatory monitoring / evaluation system was adopted to analyze the progress of the project and find solutions to difficulties.

Coordinateur : Université de Thiès
Partenaires : Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA) Gaston Berger University (UGB) Institut de l’Environnement et de Recherches Agricoles du Burkina Faso (INERA) Joseph Ki-Zerbo University of Ouagadougou Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB) Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar (UCAD) Research Institute for Development (IRD)

Financement principal : African Union Commission (AURG 1)
Budget : 876 732 EUR

FNSSA project database