MOZEN aims at producing more than 500 000 hectoliters of Jatropha oil within 5 years in the Casamance, a region in south-eastern Senegal. The project will create a fully integrated and sustainable value chain from agriculture to energy transformation and final utilization. The success of MOZEN is based both on the mobilization of the farmers in the plantation, maintenance and harvesting of Jatropha (given the rather long lead time between planting and the 1st harvest – between 2 to 3 years) and sharing the benefits of this crop with the farmers, i.e. provide farmers with access to affordable energy.
MOZEN is a « Social Business » built around a partnership between the local community-based NGO MOZDAHIR and the private Company LIVING ENERGY AFRICA, created by experienced French and Senegalese entrepreneurs.
The backbone of MOZEN’s model is aligned on three different elements:
1. After the enrolment of the Jatropha-farmers in a contract farming scheme, the project guarantees to purchase their products at a competitive price compared to the traditional cash crops. Furthermore MOZDAHIR is successful in encouraging farmers to participate due to its leadership, which is strongly connected to the communities in the Region and its commitment to preserve and develop social, educational and health programs within the participants. As a consequence, the Rural Communities (RCs) will assign agricultural land to the Project.
2. The transformation of jatropha seeds into pure vegetal oil. In addition, jatropha cakes are produced once the seeds are pressed, which can be used as an excellent fertilizer.
3. The development of “Rural Energy Platforms” (REPs) where jatropha farmers will benefit from the access to affordable energy. The project will equip a typical REP with the most needed motorized equipments (i.e., water pumps, mills, tractors, transportation equipment). Once the basic output of the project is sustainably guaranteed via the REPs and MOZDAHIR presence, the farmers will be ready to provide their long term commitment.
Furthermore, the project aims at developing large industrial customers such as regional production plants or extractive industries, wishing to substitute fossil fuels by Jatropha oil in their industrial processes. Idem with large private transportation fleets such as bus, taxi or truck companies.
The project will significantly improve rural access to energy and reduce GHG emissions.