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Technologies
Inactive

Jatropha curcas hedge [Ethiopia]

Agulo Keter

technologies_1524 - Ethiopia

Completeness: 82%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
SLM specialist:

Ayele Habtamu

+251 92 592 0594

Haramaya University

Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)
Haramaya University (HU) - Ethiopia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

30/04/2011

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Gully rehabilitation and hill stabilization with Jatropha hedges.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

In the area around Bati in Ethiopia, Jatropha is used to stabilize hills ore to rehabilitate gullies. The technology was introduced during the last decade by local farmers on their plots. The advantage of Jatropha against other shrubs is that it is poisonous and therefore not browsed by animals. Additionally the seeds can be collected by household members and sold on the local market. The seed's oil can be used as a lamp oil or even for the production of bio-fuel.

Purpose of the Technology: Besides hedges and living fences, Jatropha is used for combating sheet or gully erosion. To stop erosion processes the Jatropha cuttings are planted across a gully or along hill sides to stabilize them in the same manner as check dams or terraces do. The plant is chosen because of its very tolerant character, rather high accessibility in the area and because it is easy to propagate by cuttings. Often Jatropha is used in combination with traditional stone check dams or terraces aiming for an increased stability of the technology itself. For that purpose Jatropha is planted in front of the stone walls or also on top of them.

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: In earlier times Jatropha was planted by seeds but nowadays, since there are a lot of plants in the area, propagation by cuttings is the more prominent form. Since the plants are pruned every year anyway, the cuttings are accessible almost in any case for free. At markets further away, the cuttings cost around one cent per piece. In order to rehabilitate a gully Jatropha cuttings are planted as near as possible in the selected area in a row across the gully. After rooting, the spaces between the plants are filled up with litter, shrubs or stones. In order to have a thick stem and avoid competition with crops, the plants are pruned every year. The thick main stems reach a height of approximately one meter which delineates the maximum height of possible soil collection. If the area behind the filled up gaps and the cuttings has silted up, the height is increased by adding new litter in the higher up gaps. In off farming season, the Jatropha seeds are collected and sold on the market to create additional income.

Natural / human environment: The case study site, Bati, lays in an semiarid climatic zone on 1600 m a.s.l. Rainfalls are erratic and the rain sum per year is between 500-1000 mm. The landscape is very hilly with rather steep slopes. The area has a high population density and growth. The agricultural sector is very dominant and lead by a lot of small scale farming with a lot of livestock and small plots of cropland.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Ethiopia

Region/ State/ Province:

Ethiopia / Amhara Region

Further specification of location:

Bati

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • 10-50 years ago

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through land users' innovation
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Farmers are using Jatropha curcas since approximately 30 years in the research area in Bati mostly for fencing. Innovative farmers started using the plant for stabilizing existing physical structures (stone walls, terraces, gully check dams) or using it as a complete substitute for these physical structures.

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
Main crops (cash and food crops):

Major food crop: Sorghum
Major other crop: Corn

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

Mixed (crops/ grazing/ trees), incl. agroforestry

  • Silvo-pastoralism
Main products/ services:

Major food product: Cattle, goat, sheep, camel
Major other product: Chicken

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Deforestation, overgrazing, cultivation of erosion-sensitive areas or steep slopes.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Too much soil loss and land degradation, no vegetation cover and poor soil moisture.

Grazingland comments: Livestock is not fenced in. Children herd the animals and watch out that they do not browse through crop fields. In off-farming season crop residues are collected from the field and stored next to the field. Animals are allowed to eat the still remaining residues on the field. After that, the animals are fed by the collected crop residues.

Livestock is grazing on crop residues

Type of grazing system comments: Livestock is not fenced in. Children herd the animals and watch out that they do not browse through crop fields. In off-farming season crop residues are collected from the field and stored next to the field. Animals are allowed to eat the still remaining residues on the field. After that, the animals are fed by the collected crop residues. Ge: Extensive grazing land

3.3 Further information about land use

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed
Comments:

Water supply: Also mixed rainfed - irrigated

Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 1
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 90 Longest growing period from month to month: June until September

Livestock density (if relevant):

> 100 LU /km2

3.4 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • cross-slope measure

3.5 Spread of the Technology

Comments:

Total area covered by the SLM Technology is 0.7 m2.

Size of the case study watershed.

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V1: Tree and shrub cover
structural measures

structural measures

  • S1: Terraces
  • S6: Walls, barriers, palisades, fences
Comments:

Main measures: vegetative measures, structural measures

Type of vegetative measures: aligned: -contour

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
  • Wg: gully erosion/ gullying
Comments:

Main type of degradation addressed: Wg: gully erosion / gullying

Secondary types of degradation addressed: Wt: loss of topsoil / surface erosion

Main causes of degradation: deforestation / removal of natural vegetation (incl. forest fires) (Deforestation for the past 30 years.), over-exploitation of vegetation for domestic use (Wood collection for cooking and construction.), overgrazing (60% of the watershed area are cultivated - big grazing pressure on remaining land), other human induced causes (specify) (Cultivation of very steep slopes.), change of seasonal rainfall (Erratic rainfall.), Heavy / extreme rainfall (intensity/amounts) (If there is rain, it is intensive.), population pressure (High population pressure.), poverty / wealth (Poor facilities.)

Secondary causes of degradation: soil management (Poor soil management practices and lack of awareness.), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Annual cropping.), droughts (The research area is considered rather dry.), land tenure (If the land is rented, it is poorly managed.), inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (Poor access to fertilizer. Bad infrastructures.), education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of awareness for soil degradation.), Low productivity of the land (As a consequence seeking for new/larger areas to increase production.)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • reduce land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land
Comments:

Main goals: rehabilitation / reclamation of denuded land

Secondary goals: mitigation / reduction of land degradation

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

Author:

Simon Bach, CDE, Bern, Switzerland

4.2 Technical specifications/ explanations of technical drawing

Jatropha hedges as they can be found in the region of Bati. Often the plant is used for gully rehabilitation. For that purpose it is planted (mostly by cuttings) with a minimal interval between each plant to create a barrier-like hedge. The gaps are filled up with litter or stones.
Approximately 1 m of soil can be collected by the trunk - above that height it is too thin. The Jatropha seed can create additional income besides the purpose of soil and water conservation. Often, the plant is used in combination with traditional technologies (terraces, stone walls) and planted on top or in front of these traditional structures to improve their stability.

Location: South of Bati. Bati Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Date: 05.05.2011

Technical knowledge required for land users: low (Planting takes place rather randomly in places of needs.)

Main technical functions: control of concentrated runoff: retain / trap, control of concentrated runoff: impede / retard, reduction of slope angle, increase / maintain water stored in soil, increase of groundwater level / recharge of groundwater, sediment retention / trapping, sediment harvesting

Secondary technical functions: reduction of slope length, improvement of ground cover, improvement of topsoil structure (compaction), increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of infiltration, water harvesting / increase water supply, improvement of water quality, buffering / filtering water, reduction in wind speed, increase of biomass (quantity)

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: T : trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 10 per m
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): ~1m
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): ~20m
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.1
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 1.5

Vegetative measure: filling material
Vegetative material: O : other

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: O : other

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: O : other

Vegetative measure: Vegetative material: O : other

Trees/ shrubs species: Jatropha curcas

Other species: Stones, shrubs, sticks - things that can be found and utilized to fill up gaps between each plant.

4.3 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Ethiopian Birr

Indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (if relevant): 1 USD =:

16.82

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

1.00

4.4 Establishment activities

Activity Type of measure Timing
1. One time initial sawing of Jatropha seeds (30 years ago). Vegetative Initial. Wet season.
2. Cutting of the Jatropha cuttings (12.5 person days needed). Vegetative dry season
3. Planting of the Jatropha cuttings (12.5 person days needed). Vegetative dry season

4.5 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Seeding person day 1.0 1.0 1.0 100.0
Labour Cutting of the Jatropha cuttings person day 12.5 1.0 12.5 100.0
Labour Planting of the Jatropha cuttings person day 12.5 1.0 12.5 100.0
Equipment Tools for cutting 500m 1.0 5.0 5.0 100.0
Plant material Seeds kg 1.0 2.0 2.0 100.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 33.0

4.6 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Type of measure Timing/ frequency
1. Collection of Jatropha seeds (5 person days needed). Vegetative Off farming season(Okt.)
2. Filling up the gaps with litter (5 person days needed). Vegetative If necessary
3. Pruning of the Jatropha hedges (15 person days needed). Vegetative Yearly before wet season.

4.7 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Collection of Jatropha seeds Person days 5.0 1.0 5.0 100.0
Labour Filling up the gaps with litter Person days 5.0 1.0 5.0 100.0
Labour Pruning of the Jatropha person days 15.0 1.0 15.0 100.0
Equipment Tools Person days 15.0 0.333333333 5.0 100.0
Construction material Wood 500m 1.0 100.0
Construction material Stone 500m 1.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 30.0
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: saw, axe

Total costs of a hectare are calculated for a hedge of 100 m length every 20 m (500 m total hedge) in the year 2011. Tool prices were estimated and labor costs were calculated with a daily wage of 1$.

4.8 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Rough topology in the area, questionable availability of construction materials if they are not found nearby.

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

Erratic rainfall (rainseason from June until September)
751-1000 mm ranked 1
501-750 mm ranked 2

Agro-climatic zone
  • semi-arid

Thermal climate class: tropics
LGP shorter than 90 days.

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1501-2000 m a.s.l. (The study site is located at 1600m a.s.l.)
Landforms: Hill slopes (ranked 1) and valley floors (ranked 2)
Slopes on average: Hilly (ranked 1), rolling (ranked 2) and steep (ranked 3)

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • coarse/ light (sandy)
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil depth on average: Very shallow (ranked 1), shallow (ranked 2)
Soil texture: Coarse/light (ranked 1) and medium (ranked 2)
Soil fertility is low
Soil drainage/infiltration is good
Soil water storage capacity is medium

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

5-50 m

Availability of surface water:

poor/ none

Water quality (untreated):

poor drinking water (treatment required)

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table is unknown.
Availability of surface water: Only during rainy season
Water quality (untreated): Poor drinking water (treatment required, mostly groundwater)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Relative to other parts of Ethiopia.

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • subsistence (self-supply)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • rich
Individuals or groups:
  • individual/ household
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
  • animal traction
Gender:
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Land users applying the Technology are mainly common / average land users
Population density: 100-200 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 6%
1% of the land users are rich (Adopt the most of SWC technologies).
19% of the land users are average wealthy.
89% of the land users are poor.
Off-farm income specification: Off-farm income has low importance.
Level of mechanization: Animal traction (plowing by oxen, ranked 1) and manual work (ranked 2)
Market orientation: Mixed (subsistence and commercial) Goat/sheep are main meat source (in household or on market).

5.7 Average area of land owned or leased by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • individual, titled
Water use rights:
  • open access (unorganized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

gullies are transformed to fields

risk of production failure

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

improving soil moisture

product diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

selling the Jatropha curcas seeds

production area

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

gullies are transformed to fields. Structure needs space but also gains space

land management

hindered
simplified
Comments/ specify:

gully is now flat land and traversable, structure as a new obstacle

energy generation

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas seed oil as a biofuel

Water availability and quality

drinking water availability

decreased
increased
Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

alluvial soil is relatively fertile

farm income

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

new fields lead to higher productivity

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

selling the Jatropha curcas seeds

economic disparities

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

additional income by selling Jatropha seeds

workload

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

slightly labor increase, establishment and maintenance work

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

additional space for new fields

community institutions

weakened
strengthened

national institutions

weakened
strengthened

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

positive examples for other land users

situation of socially and economically disadvantaged groups

worsened
improved
Comments/ specify:

up -downstream problems may be solved

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Accumulation of soil leads to new space for fields and additional food security or even income (if crop surplus is sold). Collection of Jatropha curcas seeds - they can be sold (additional income) or processed to oil (lamp oil etc.)

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

water quantity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

increased soil moisture

harvesting/ collection of water

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas dam blocks water flow

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

increased infiltration, reduced flow velocity

groundwater table/ aquifer

lowered
recharge
Comments/ specify:

increased infiltration

evaporation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

maybe due to the Jatropha curcas canopy

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas dam blocks water flow,. But additional groundwater may be logged

soil cover

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas canopy

soil loss

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

alluvial accumulation behind the structure

soil crusting/ sealing

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

increased rooting

soil compaction

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

increased rooting

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas leaves & litter

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas leaves & litter

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

biomass/ above ground C

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas biomass

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas as a new habitat

animal diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas as a new habitat

beneficial species

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas new habitat for worms etc

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas as a new habitat

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

new habitat for rodents etc.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

flood impacts

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

flood controll by Jatropha curcas dams

emission of carbon and greenhouse gases

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

little effect by additional plants

fire risk

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas wood is a bad fire wood

wind velocity

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Jatropha curcas shrub as a wind breaker

Other ecological impacts

Increased competition

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

Over water and sunlight

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased
Comments/ specify:

possibility of spring development

reliable and stable stream flows in dry season

reduced
increased
Comments/ specify:

if a spring can develop

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

increased infiltration/reduced flooding

downstream siltation

increased
decreased
Comments/ specify:

trapping of the sediments by the structure

groundwater/ river pollution

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

trapping of the sediments by the structure

buffering/ filtering capacity

reduced
improved
Comments/ specify:

increased infiltration

wind transported sediments

increased
reduced

damage on neighbours' fields

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

due to gully rehabilitation

damage on public/ private infrastructure

increased
reduced
Comments/ specify:

due to gully rehabilitation

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season Type of climatic change/ extreme How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm well
local windstorm well
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly negative

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

very positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

Establishment needs a little time, although not very much. Maintenance work is very little needed and can be done if needed or in off-farming season. Establishment and mainentance costs are none or very little.

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many have did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 90-100%
Comments:

Comments on acceptance with external material support: Local technology spread from farmer to farmer.
Comments on spontaneous adoption: Completely based on farmer's initiative.
There is a strong trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: A lot of farmer are adopting (or already have adopted) Jatropha curcas as a SWC technology in the region.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Soil and water conservation are very important. Also the conservation of soil moisture.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Create farmer's awareness that SWC is very important for a sustainable land management.
In combination, Jatropha curcas can also be used to stabilize traditional stone structuress (terraces, dams). These physical structures are not consideret very stable and need a lot of work to establish and maintain.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Further research to improve physical structures, Jatropha curcas structures as well as their combination.
The roots bind the soil and holding it together and help collecting additional soil that otherwise would be washed out. The root and the plant also help to slow down flowing water.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Research on how tolerant is the plant on flooding etc.
Jatropha curcas is also a very good life fence that animals do not browse through because the leaves are poisonous.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Create awareness in the society that the plant is poisonous and should not be eaten.
The seeds can be sold.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Creating and improving markets, infrastructures and technologies that need Jatropca curcas oil or biofuel.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Very low labor and money input for establishment and maintenance.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Keep the technology as simple as it is today.
Easy to atopt in a wide range of environments (Jatroha curcas is a rather tolerant plant).

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Additional research to improve knowledge of Jatropha curcas.
Selling of the seeds is an additional income. If the seeds are crushed to oil it can substitute for example lamp oil that has to be bought.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Improve market situation and find technologies suitable to use Jatropha curcas oil or biofuel.
The plant can be used in a wide range of rehabilitation purposes (gully rehabilitation, hill stabilization, improvment of micro climate etc.)

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Create and maintain awareness of the farmers.
If plantet on bare land only, the plant does not compete with food production.

How can they be sustained / enhanced? Sensitize the farmers that food is more important than gaining an extra income so they do not give up their fields for Jatropha seed production.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
If children eat the seeds they get sick. Rise awareness that the plant is poisonous.
Plant competes for soil moisture. Find a good compromise betweeen pruning and maximum toleratet shade as well as maximum soil moisture that can be taken by the plant to maximize yield.
Plant competes for sun light. Find a good compromise betweeen pruning and maximum toleratet shade as well as maximum soil moisture that can be taken by the plant to maximize yield.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
Jatropha curcas is an alien plant although it is used for more than 30 years in the region. Research on the long term effects of Jatropha curcas in specific areas.
If the plant should reach maximum yields inputs have to be increased as well and it has to be planted on fertile soil (food competition). Make shure people only use it as fence or as a SWC plant on bare land.
To avoid shading the plant is often pruned every year and the yield is therefore very small (economically irrelevant). Find a good compromise betweeen pruning and maximum toleratet shade to maximize yield.
The plant is poisonous. People have to take care and children have to be sensitized. But acording to the farmers eating the leaves or the seeds leads to stomach ache and is not too dangerous. Create awareness in the society that the plant is poisonous and should not be eaten.
Farmers plant and use Jatropha curcas quite randomly and without any specific approach. The role of science: find the best practice.

7. References and links

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Bach S. (2012) Potentials and limitations of Jatropha curcas as a multipurpose crop for sustainable energy supply and soil and water conservation - a case study in Bati, Ethiopia, using the WOCAT approach. Unpublished master’s thesis, Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern.

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