Potential and perspectives of <i>Jatropha curcas</i> plantations in marginal land of Ghana

Abstract

Jatropha curcas L. is a perennial drought-resistant plant well adapted to marginal lands in arid and semiarid and tropical regions (Divakara et al. 2010). J. curcas is a valuable multipurpose crop and has recently gained lot of importance for the biodiesel production by oilseed and secondary products such as soap, fertilisers, bio-pesticides, cosmetics, and medicine. Furthermore, this energy crop offers the ecological advantage to mitigate soil degradation and desertification and to reclaim wasteland (Achten et al. 2008). Community-based Jatropha initiatives for local use, like small J. curcas plantations in marginal lands, agro-forestry systems with J. curcas intercropping, and agro-silvo-pastoral systems can be seen as efficient opportunities to increase rural development in developing countries. The integration of J. curcas into the rural economy at the village level is able to guarantee access to sustainable and affordable energy, increase rural income, create employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty. Although the global interest, Jatropha physiological properties and agronomic management practices are not thoroughly unravelled (Behera et al. 2010). This contribution will highlight some J. curcas scientific research challenges in the framework of an EU-AID international cooperation project implemented in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana. Through J. curcas plantations, the main project aims are to provide adequate access and security of sustainable renewable energy supply to rural communities of Ghana, improving their livelihood, and to reduce desertification effects in degraded areas. Within this project, several agronomic experimental works are being carried out, in order to improve the knowledge of J. curcas agronomical management practices which could be specifically addressed to the Ghanaian context. Biometric measurement results of J. curcas propagation (direct seed vs pre-cultivated seedlings) and intercropping systems with cereals are shown