Jatropha Field – Missirikoro – Sikasso Region

* Click on picture for full quality image.

** This is a picture of a Jatropha grain I took while working on a Bio-Diesel project in Southern Mali.  Jatropha is a plant of Latin American origin, which is now widespread throughout arid and semi arid tropical regions of the world.  It is an inedible shrub that can be grown along side other crops (in Mali, it is traditionally used as a natural fence to protect other crops from livestock).  The incredible feature of Jatropha is its resistance to drought which can give it a lifespan of over 40 years.  Malian authorities should pay attention to Jatropha cultivation because:

• It contains a high-quality oil that can be refined into high grade Bio-Diesel
• It has the ability to grow in poor quality soils, even wasteland, with little rainfall
• It can be used to re-cultivate eroded soils, preventing soil erosion and shifting of sand dunes
• Its uses will create local income and employment

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