JATROPHA CONTRACT FARMING

Summary:

The generation of feedstock for the manufacture of Biofuels has taken front stage in the past few years. The supply of feedstock is the single most significant factor that will determine the success of a Biofuel Biodiesel project. Constituting nearly 70-80% of the operating cost, special attention has to been given to the security of the supply of feedstock in the short and long term.

The search for alternate fuels and the need to reverse the global warming by reducing the carbon emissions have been in the forefront of energy research around the globe. Biofuels have been established beyond doubt as one of the foremost means of alternate energy that would mitigate global warming in a significant manner. However, the requirement of vegetable oil for the manufacture of Biofuels has generated much controversy.

A systematic analysis by international research groups and agencies has established Jatropha Curcas as the prime feedstock, suitable for Biodiesel production. Many countries in Asia and Africa have started to grow Jatropha, and it has the distinction of being the most suitable feedstock for Biodiesel in the long run. Jatropha is a plant that flourishes where little else grows, commonly grown in arid and semi arid land, and requires very little water, and being a very sturdy plant, it requires very little maintenance. Jatropha is also toxic and cannot be used for human consumption.

The need for long term security of feedstock supplied for Biofuel manufacturing operations have led to the philosophy of contract farming. The concept of contract farming owned and operated by a project is considered to be the most secure form of obtaining the feedstock in the long run; a concept that is adopted by many countries in the region such as India, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. The concept is to allow investor groups involved in Biofuel production to operate and secure their own feedstock.

The cultivation of large extents of land in unfamiliar territories causes risks for the investors. Specifically the cost of the land to be cultivated presents an enormous investment. Hence the adoption of a concept of contract farming with a long term lease of the land with the assistance of the government of the country is more feasible.

Costa Rica Seed Company has researched and developed a long term approach to reliable contract farming in many parts of the Americas, from concept to completion including Land Acquisition, Site Preparation, Nursery, Plantation, Harvesting and Oil Expelling. All contract farming is regulated, supervised and approved by the consortium, United Biofuels of America.