Economic Impact and Challenges of Jatropha curcas L. Projects in North-Western Province, Zambia: A Case of Solwezi District

Chester Kalinda, Ziyaye Moses, Chama Lackson, Lwali A. Chisala, Zulu Donald, Phiri Darius and Chisha-Kasumu Exildah
Additional contact information
Chester Kalinda: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
Ziyaye Moses: Kyawama Secondary School, P.O. Box 110024, Solwezi 10101, Zambia
Chama Lackson: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
Lwali A. Chisala: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
Zulu Donald: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
Phiri Darius: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia
Chisha-Kasumu Exildah: School of Natural Resources, The Copperbelt University, P.O. Box 21692, Kitwe 10101, Zambia

Sustainability, 2015, vol. 7, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Forest products, wood and non-wood, remain vital among smallholder households in Zambia with charcoal being the most sought after product. This has led to increased exploitation of forest trees to meet the needs for fuel wood, among others. However, Jatropha curcas plant has been identified as a potential fuel source. In the early 2000s, profit-making organizations encouraged smallholder households to grow Jatropha for use as an alternative fuel source. This paper reports on a study conducted in Solwezi between 2011 and 2014 to evaluate the impact of Jatropha cultivation for biofuel production. A sample of 100 small-scale farmers involved in Jatropha cultivation and key informants were interviewed to evaluate the impact of growing Jatropha at the small-scale level. Results show that farmers lost out on time; income from sale of edible non-wood forest products; and experienced reduction in maize ( Zea mays ) and bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) production, worsening household economic conditions. Farmers attributed this loss to unclear policy alignment on biofuel production by government. We therefore recommend that project implementation should involve interactions of all legislative bodies and any other concerned stakeholders. There is also a need to promote the value chain, from production to marketing, which focuses on minimizing detrimental effects on the livelihood of small-scale farmers.

Keywords: charcoal; firewood; Jatropha curcas; livelihood; non-wood products; policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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