Jatropha Curcas is a drought-resistant, perennial plant that grows well in marginal soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives, producing seeds for nearly 50 years.
Jatropha the wonder plant produces seeds with an average oil content of 30-40%. This oil can be refined and used as diesel in the unmodified existing diesel engines or can also be blended with conventional diesel. The emissions with this fuel are negligible and the biodiesel produced has also got better lubricating property for the engines.
Another advantage of biofuel Jatropha is that it doesn’t compete with food crops, since it grows on unfertile lands with little demand for water. It also helps in reduction of CO2 from the environment to a great extent.
Program Description
Jatropha Energy Farms envisions a phased implementation plan of its strategic initiatives to develop a significant source of biodiesel fuel and contribute to achieving energy independence for Liberia and other African Nations. At the same time project expects to improve the economic future for some of the region’s poorest people. The business model of International Production & Development, Inc. will develop sustainable energy supply and energy security in selected countries through the creation of vertically integrated public-private biofuels companies that will produce Jatropha biodiesel from controlled large scale Jatropha.
Jatropha Curcas has been found to be a good source of biodiesel fuel. It grows in a global belt that covers most of the African Continent 30N-30S (equator) Jatropha farms are being developed on other continents. The process and refining technique has been defined. What is unique about the Holistic Community Development approach is a master plan that begins with the identification of wild Jatropha plants, in areas where indigenous Jatropha is prevalent, and the proof-of-concept of process and refining in a “Jatropha Center” before large scale investment in Jatropha farming begins. The creative triangle of a holistic community development model is shown in figure 1.
Dr. Charles Steele, Jr, President emeritus/CEO of Southern Christian Leadership Conference, is advancing the Civil Right Movement global to Africa and setting up conflict resolution and reconciliation centers. When people reconcile, then there can be holistic community and economical development. Morrison- Ponder Global University, a holistic education institute, is the education component. These centers are part of the Institute of Global Harmony.
The Liberia plan is organized in two phases with the following key activities in the first phase:
- Establish and capitalized the formation of Angel Venture Capital Group
- Identify investments opportunity for education & community organization using the New Creation Christian Fellowship (NCCF) as the anchor institution
- Capitalization of Liberia Research Institute, a “Think Tank” not-for profit research organization focusing on Global Technology transfer.
- Using high resolution IKONOS satellite data and sophisticated analysis techniques, locate, quantify and calibrate a country’s indigenous Jatropha
- Locate and track the Jatropha plants and set up Community Cooperative Quadrants to organize collection and procurement
- Build “Jatropha Center” to procure, store, process and refine existing Jatropha seeds
- Select “best” seeds for planting in seedling nurseries for future Jatropha Energy Farm development
- Create public-private structure for Government or indigenous peoples biofuels company with a long term concession joint venture agreement with project team for investment, management and operation through the establishment of Jatropha Farm Cooperatives.
- Prepare master plan and design of Jatropha Energy Farms including infrastructure and housing for adjacent Jatropha Farm communities
- Set up special district finance structure and authority for Jatropha Energy Farms and community farm development utilizing international programs
In Phase two the Jatropha Energy Farms will be constructed in Liberia. Each farm includes the manufacturing process and community infrastructure required for farm and processing workers. The build out of Phase 2 Plan proposes the development of (4) large scale Jatropha Farms and (1) Jatropha Center, in Liberia, which will result in production of eventually millions of gallons of straight vegetable oil (SVO) or B100 Biodiesel and the hiring and training of thousands of Jatropha Cooperative workers.
The near term funding request is for a $26.8 million equity investment in the Liberia Biofuel Project. Potential uses of the initial investment will be included if interest is shown. These funds will allow the New Creation Christian Fellowship Advisory Council proposed study to be conducted, engage with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to incorporate their support and gain access to incremental funding as well as complete the planning and initiate the construction of the first Jatropha Center. Not only will these funds begin to turn this concept into reality, but they will produce intellectual property with extraordinary value in the market due to its groundbreaking nature. Access to the IKONOS satellite imagery can be supplied by the US Department of State, for this purpose, which will replace the slow and costly process of putting people in the field to identify energy sources.
Two other sources of revenue will be developed from the results of these funds:
- Consulting with public agencies in the “Jatropha Belt” to help them establish Jatropha Centers and standardize the use of satellite imagery and analytical techniques to identify biodiesel fuel sources in a timely and cost effective manner;
- Sale of SVO Jatropha Oil to interested users.
The Jatropha survey completion and procurement of the indigenous Jatropha seeds will provide for early revenue even as the Jatropha Center is being completed. It is anticipated by the end of the first year the Jatropha Center should be at full production. It will be presented to interested parties to illustrate the positive cash flow from operations from the first year. This Jatropha Center will be replicated in the other 15 counties under the NCCF organizational network.