BioFuel Africa begins commercial jatropha production

November 20, 2009

Biofuel Africa Ltd. announced it is the first in West Africa to commercialize jatropha oil. The Ghanaian corporation that is wholly owned by Norwegian-based Solar Harvest AS has 1,630 acres in cultivation on leased land, in addition to its research farm. The company is testing jatropha for use as a straight vegetable oil fuel in Ghana, saying that in hot climates using straight vegetable oils will facilitate easier processing for local fuel production.

Biofuel Africa has adopted a "Food First Principle," according to CEO Steiner Kolnes, giving food production a priority while simultaneously developing jatropha production. The project has grown from 55 acres planted to food crops tended by 25 farmers in 2008, to 540 acres last year. The company plans to expand that to 6,300 acres of corn, rice and soybeans in 2010. The company received approval last year from the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency to develop close to 60,000 acres of jatropha in a program that is to include environmental, social and economic activities that assure positive impacts for local communities.

"Biofuel companies that combine local fuel production with generation of a renewable local food source are proving that jatropha is an attractive and viable commodity for developing economies plagued with food security issues, exorbitant fuel prices and infrastructure lapses," the company said.

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