Title:  Bio-fuel for development in Guinea Bissau

Title:  Bio-fuel for development in Guinea Bissau

Location: Bissorã region Guinea Bissau

Duration: 3 years

Partner: ADPP Guinea Bissau, GAIA Movement (Switzerland) 

Background
Guinnea Bissau was ranked 172 out of the 177 poorest countries in the world. The country has no fossil fuels and no hydro-electric plants and is therefore very much dependent on imported fuels and thus very vulnerable to rising oil prices. In the countryside public generator sets are rare – even in bigger cities, but many are securing their private or business electricity with small or medium sized diesel generator sets. Jatropha is growing locally, but is not cultivated and very few people know that it has potential as a bio-fuel. In many parts of Guinea Bissau there is much unused or very extensively used arable land, and production of bio-fuel on a larger scale would therefore not conflict with providing local food security. In the longer term however, this food versus oil issue is still relevant, and this project will therefore focus on developing and demonstrating systems that eliminate this conflict.

Project Summary
ADPP will provide 1500 farmers with training on growing Jatropha, maintaining a healthy tree cover and production of Jatropha-based products that can be sold in (local) markets, like soap, oil for use in engines, lights and cooking. The farmers will be reached through a network of 30 farmers clubs. Exten

sion workers will train the members after they obtained training at the ADPP vocational school. At the local Renewable Energy Centre experiments will be conducted on for example different varieties of Jatropha and processing of Jatropha seeds. Research will be done on impacts of the combination of Jatropha and food crop production.

 Project Objectives

• To teach farmers to produce Jatropha seeds next to their food crops and to realise an enlarged income through sales of Jatropha products, like soap and oil.
• To demonstrate that a combination of bio fuel and food crop production leads to enlarged food security, because additional income can be generated and farmers obtain more freedom of choice in which crop they prefer to produce.
• To enlarge knowledge in the rural area on cultivation of Jatropha, using rope pumps, production of Jatropha-based products and sales of these products.
• To build up the Renewable Energy Centre by providing knowledge, training and equipment for processing of Jatropha seeds. 
  

• Average 10-15% increase in income, and 25% of the household have an increase in overall wellbeing and health.
• 225000 Jatropha trees planted.
• 1500 farmers trained in Jatropha seed selection, planting and production, and 25% of the farmers have increased diversification of crops.
• First 10 tons of Jatropha or other oil seeds collected and processed to oil, 1000 litre of fuel substituted with bio fuel.
• The economical benefits will increase during the following years, as Jatropha only reaches its fuller potential from the 3rd year and onwards.
  

Project activities
Students at the ADPP vocational school will be trained in cultivation and production of Jatropha and transfer this knowledge through the farmers clubs to local farmers. The Renewable Energy Centre will learn to produce and use oil in dual fuel engines.A demonstration plot of 10 ha of Jatropha will be planted near the Renewable Energy Centre for research on cultivation and different varieties. Some plots will be arranged for reasons of comparison by means of different combinations of food and Jatropha; fields with only Jatropha, fields with only crops and different percentages of food and Jatropha on the same fields. Yields will be measured accurately.

Impacts
The diversified production of crops will increase the farmers’ income. Through their training they will obtain more knowledge on production and markets. Farmers will be organised better as they are united within this project. They will be able to learn from each other different aspects of production and sales. Bio oil from Jatropha can be used as substitute in modified diesel engines and reduces therefore the impact of energy use on the environment.