Short description of the best practice
Euphorbia tirucalli can be planted as feed-stock for bio-gas. The plant can be easily propagated by cuttings and establishes quickly. Within 1 year up to 2 years depending on plant density a fully ground covered plantation can be reached. The plant can be coppiced up to 20 centimeter from ground level and will grow back in 1 year. Depending on the availability of water and nutrients, temperature and radiation biomass production can vary from 3 to 50 MT of Dry Matter per hectare per year. The plant can be harvested and used at anytime in the year. Cut off branches are ground in a hammer-mill or other device and can then be used as primary or secondary feed-stock for bio-gas production. The residues of bio-gas production (slurry) is fed back to the plantation to ensure nutrient recycling. The bio-gas can be used for cooking or production of electricity, thus creating local energy security and independence from fossil fuels from abroad.|
Location
Mali, Colombia, Somaliland|
Brief description of the natural environment within the specified location.
Semi-Arid hot climate
any
Any soil type, including saline soils|
Prevailing socio-economic conditions of those living in the location and/or nearby
Low
Animal husbandry, agriculture
On the basis of which criteria and/or indicator(s) (not related to The Strategy) the proposed practice and corresponding technology has been considered as 'best'?
The plant tolerates saline soils. The plant tolerates extreme dry spells. The plant biomass can be harvested all year round and used as feed-stock. It has a potential to produce large amounts of biomass per hectare per year. Once a plantation is established it will produce for a least 20 years before having to replant.
