[On the basis of the Project Idea Note of 19 December 2008]

The objective of the project implemented by GERES and its partners in the Zou District, a rural area of Benin, is to provide energy-based services (gensets, mills, and various motorised services) based on a locally produced fuel, Crude Jatropha Oil (CJO).

The three main project activities are:

1) Development of Jatropha plantation

Locally collected seeds from existing indigenous varieties are distributed to selected farmers in the communities. In order to minimise economic risks and avoid substitution of food production by energy-crop production, Jatropha is intercropped within the existing cultivation system or planted as natural fences. The project promotes organic fertilisers such as manure, and Jatropha cakes when oil production starts. Farmers’ organisations will be encouraged at the local scale to enhance awareness and training and ensure the long term sustainability of the project.

2) Local production of Crude Jatropha Oil

In order to reduce seed transportation and oil production costs, the plantation strategy will establish “clusters” with areas for seed production linked to permanent extraction units (10 km or less between fields and extraction units).

3) Local use of Jatropha oil: market development and engine conversion

CJO blended with  diesel, to an extent of 10% to 30 %, can be used in diesel engines without conversion, especially in mill engines. To use CJO as main fuel, however, engine adaptation or conversion is necessary. The project will facilitate the development of a local CJO market and offer technical assistance for the conversion of gensets, multifunctional platforms, and local mills. Moreover, training on fuel handling and use will be offered  to the local population.

The project will generate a minimum of 6 128 tCO2e emission reductions over a 7-year crediting period starting from 2013. There is considerable scope for further reductions based on an increased adoption of bio-fuels. Leakage emissions are estimated to 0 as no chemical fertiliser or pesticide is used.

Furthermore, inadequate access to energy constrains development in rural Benin. Jatropha oil production will ensure reliable access to affordable fuel for at least 20 multifunctional platforms, to existing mills or similar small energetic services in the rural region of Zou. Around 3 000 people will benefit directly from this project, including many women. Moreover, the price of CJO is not dependent on fossil fuel prices. Affordable and available energy is a sine-qua-non condition to develop income generating activities and better family-based production systems, and thus supports the development of rural areas strengthened by the substitution of fossil fuel.