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Socio-Economy, Agro-Ecological Zones, Agronomic Practices and Farming System of Jatropha curcas L. in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Abstract

Commercial cultivation of Jatropha in sub-Saharan Africa is a relatively new practice. Sub-Saharan Africa has witnessed a massive transformation of Jatropha from a traditional hedge plant to an energy crop. The region has suitable agro-climatic conditions for cultivation of Jatropha and by 2008 there were more than 1,19,000 ha under Jatropha. This report explores the suitability of Sub-Saharan Africa for Jatropha production, mainly from agro-ecological and socio-economic perspectives. An analysis of agronomic practices in vogue is done and attendant problems are highlighted. The suitability of Jatropha to agro-ecological conditions in sub-Saharan Africa is not in doubt. There are numerous challenges that have affected the cultivation of Jatropha in the region. These include lack of elite planting materials, poor agronomic performance and inviable production systems. Thus, supply of elite planting material, development of appropriate agro-techniques and enhancing viability remain the most critical issues in the endeavour to transform Jatropha into a viable crop.

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Acknowledgements

The author thanks Mr. Reckson Kamusoko for assisting in gathering the information necessary to this report. I express my gratitude to my colleagues at Chinhoyi University of Technology for critical review of the manuscript. I am also indebted to Nicolas Carels for his encouragement and assistance in many ways.

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Correspondence to Raphael Muzondiwa Jingura .

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Jingura, R.M. (2012). Socio-Economy, Agro-Ecological Zones, Agronomic Practices and Farming System of Jatropha curcas L. in Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Carels, N., Sujatha, M., Bahadur, B. (eds) Jatropha, Challenges for a New Energy Crop. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4806-8_4

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