The objectives of Eco-Carbone’s agronomic R&D

 

Eco-Carbone initiated a Research and Development programme with the objective to multiply oil yields by two by 2016. Eco-Carbone’s R&D targets a 2 metric tons jatropha crude oil per hectare production. This will be done through:

  • The improvement of the genetic material (variety selection) by increasing the number of fruits per tree and increasing the oil content in the jatropa seeds (from 34% to 40%) and;
  • The development of agricultural practices adapted to the agro-climatic conditions of each project area.

 

 

 

 The R&D development axis

Eco-Carbone’s R&D programme relies on four major axes:

  • Fundamental research in Brazil where the jatropha genetic diversity is very high. This research aims to:
- Identify and select lineages presenting exceptional features (above-average number of fruits per tree, adaptation to extreme drought conditions or rainfall etc.)
- Develop high potential yielding hybrids
  • Applied research, on each Eco-Carbone project site. This research aims to:
- Compare the performances of local jatropha and jatropha accessions selected through the R&D programme.
- Develop agricultural practices with farmer communities, adapted to agro climatic conditions and to the techniques available locally
  • Technological research on the fertilizing properties of jatropha seed cake and pesticide properties of jatropha emulsified oil.

  • A reduction of the costs associated with the production of improved genetic material.  This is done through the development of micro propagation techniques adapted to jatropha specificities.
 

 

R&D perspectives

Thanks to its R&D programme, Eco-Carbone will support farmers with state of the art training material for the establishment and management of jatropha plantations.

In the future, Eco-Carbone’s R&D programme will evolve towards answering technical questions which are bound to arise as the jatropha plantations develop. The main themes foreseen are developing plant protection measures through Integrated Pest Management techniques, experimenting the benefits of associating intercrops with Jatropha curcas and adapting anti erosive and water conservation devices in the driest areas.