Kenya: Jatropha Farmers Walk on Slippery Ground

As the international oil price rallied towards $150 a barrel in 2008, the developed world turned its attention to idle land in Africa, with numerous European NGOs introducing oil plants like jatropha to farmers saying it could be the continent’s next big thing – a likely principal export and an alternative fuel that could improve the speed of industrialisation in a continent with eyes on the middle-income status.
Such was the excitement in Majiwa, a remote village in the outskirts of Bondo town in Nyanza Province when the international NGOs came knocking in 2006.

With the encouragement of Mr Tor Steiner Rafoss, one of the international bio-diesel agents, the villagers formed the Nam Lolwe Jatropha Caucus for the purpose of pooling resources to promote cultivation of the hitherto foreign oil plant. Mr Rafoss donated seeds to start the jatropha project.

Years since, the hope for a better life among the farmers is fading. They are asking about the promised “ready market” for the wonder plant.

Mr Joseph Odembo of the Nam Lolwe group and a member of the lobby, Action Resort for Change (ARC), the local NGO that invited the international agents, the waiting for the promised “ready market” for the trees is taking too long.

AllAfrica