Evaluating the Jatropha curcas - Bio-diesel Value Chain as a

Potential Driver for Rural Development in Mesoamerica

A Proposal to the Syngenta Foundation

Submitted by Zamorano University

February 26, 2008

Executive Summary

As the costs and consequences of the world’s dependence on fossil fuels grow, the
prospect of cultivating bio-fuels is a new paradigm in agriculture that Latin America is
considering. One potential bio-diesel feedstock crop, Jatropha curcas, has generated
much interest for its potential to provide income to small farmers cultivating marginal
lands. Although considerable private-sector research on Jatropha is being conducted in
India, little is known about the crop’s productive potential in Mesoamerica. Zamorano
University, a highly respected agriculture school of more than 1,000 students from
throughout Latin America, seeks initial support for a long-term program to understand
and improve the cultivation of Jatropha curcas for bio-diesel production in the region.

With the goals of evaluating the economic feasibility of Jatropha cultivation in Central
America at small to large scales, and accelerating the use of bio-fuels in developing
countries by offering hands-on experience in bio-diesel production to promising students
from throughout Latin America, Zamorano has developed a project that addresses most
aspects of the Jatropha – bio-diesel value chain. The Evaluation of Jatropha Productivity
component will establish comprehensive trials on 10 hectares of Zamorano land of four
varieties of Jatropha curcas under a variety of agronomic variables. The Jatropha
Germplasm Bank will create a working research collection of Jatropha varieties from
throughout the world. The Small-scale Farmer Research component will test Jatropha
production under conditions found in remote rural communities. The Bio-diesel
Production, Quality and Storage Stability Research component will install an oil
processing and bio-diesel production facility for student research in the production of bio-
diesel from Jatropha.

All components will offer students hands-on experience through Zamorano´s unique
Learning-by-Doing methodology and through support for Senior student research theses.
This three-year project will cost $499,186 to implement, and can begin as early as April,
2008.
Introduction

About Zamorano

Zamorano University is a private university founded in 1942 and located in Honduras. It

serves the higher education needs of the Americas in the area of tropical agriculture. In
addition to its four solid academic Departments of Agricultural Science and Production,
Food Agro-industry, Agribusiness Administration, and Socioeconomic Development and
Environmental Management, Zamorano has developed a vast experience in applied
research. Outside of the classroom, as part of the university’s unique Learning-by-Doing
philosophy, students spend roughly half their time learning about and managing 13
university agro-enterprises.

One of the strengths at Zamorano is the diversity of its student body, comprised of men
and women originating from different socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural strata from
twenty countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Upon graduating, their
remarkable academic preparation, practical hands-on experience and enhanced character
allow Zamorano graduates to return to their countries and rise to positions of leadership
in private business and governmental and non-governmental institutions.

Zamorano is a non-profit institution registered in the State of Delaware, United States of

America, recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a (501)-(c)-(3) organization.

The Problem

The near-complete dependence of the world economy on fossil fuels has led to the
worrisome scenarios of climate change and the unstoppable rise in the price of petroleum.
The growing body of scientific evidence warns us that global warming will have
significant, and possibly catastrophic, effects on nearly all of Earth’s living systems,
including human populations. The crippling economic effect of rising fuel prices
disproportionately affects smaller developing countries.

A growing understanding of the seriousness of these threats is stimulating fervent interest

in sources of renewable energy. The prospect of cultivating bio-fuels represents a new
paradigm for agriculture. For Latin America, the development of economies propelled in
part by fuels derived from carbohydrates is an opportunity the region is considering.
Honduras, for instance, recently passed legislation mandating the mixture of bio-fuels
(bio-diesel and ethanol) with imported fossil fuels (diesel and gasoline), and grants tax
benefits and market protections for bio-fuels producers. Yet the technology and training
required to efficiently convert crops into fuel is slow to reach much of the Americas.

One potential bio-fuel crop that has received much attention is a shrubby tree called
Jatropha curcas. Native to Mexico and Central America and resistant to adverse climate
conditions, Jatropha produces non-edible seeds with high oil content apt for conversion to
bio-diesel. Able to survive on marginal lands, it is promoted by some as a possible source
of stable income for poor farmers, a source of jobs, a partial substitute for petroleum and
a potential driver for rural development. However, there are significant challenges that
must be addressed, such as productivity at small scales, marginal returns from marginal
lands, small farmer access to land, technology, markets and credit. Information about
Jatropha’s productivity in diverse ecosystems and cultivation regimes is scant. Significant
research and analysis must be carried out in order to responsibly ask small farmers to
assume the long-term risk of investing in an un-proven crop. In Mesoamerica, Zamorano
is an ideal institution to accompany the development of a sustainable Jatropha-bio-diesel
industry in the region, in both the scientific and entrepreneurial contexts.

Objectives

General Objectives

I. Establish the viability of Jatropha curcas as a non-food competing contributor

to community level of energy security and additional income source for rural
families

II. Accelerate the use of renewable energy in developing countries by offering

students from Latin America and the Caribbean hands-on experience with the
rapidly-advancing theory and technology of renewable energy.

Specific Objectives

1. Establish a Germplasm Bank for local and regional varieties of Jatropha curcas to
support current and future research needs.

2. Conduct a comprehensive set of medium term agronomic trials on Jatropha

curcas that will determine the most productive and economically feasible genetic
varieties and cultivation methods for the Yeguare Valley in Central Honduras.

3. Survey of J. curcas distribution and use at communal level in the Yeguare Valley
in Central Honduras, aiming to establish a local cropping and commercialization
culture giving an economic value to the seed.

4. Complementation of Zamorano’s existing biodiesel facility with equipment for oil

extraction, refining and biodiesel storage for regional seed processing and biofuel
production, for the use with any available oil crop.

5. Integrate Zamorano into the global Jatropha spp. research network along with
partners in Brazil, India, England, Netherlands and regional initiatives in
Honduras and neighboring countries.

6. Integrate the full cycle of bio-fuels production into Zamorano’s multi-faceted

learning experience.
Project Description

After the IFAD organized International Consultation on Pro-poor Jatropha Development

(April 10-11, 2008) followed a perception that a main issue is to investigate the true
production potential and its corresponding agronomic treatments to achieve reproducible
high yields in varied ecological environments. It was clearly shown, that Jatropha curcas
can represent an income generation for poor rural farmers, without compromising the
food supply, due to its use on less favorable soils or as hedge row around food or fodder
cropping areas.
In answer to this findings and after a work meeting at the Syngenta Foundation
Headquarters in Basel between Zamorano and Syngenta Representatives the following
research outlines for the development of a Jatropha-to-Bio-diesel value chain in the
Central American highlands were suggested and will be developed in a mid term research
project for the next 5 years. Each of the components will support the next step of
advances in the Jatropha curcas value chain and fill a void of knowledge in bio-fuels
production throughout much of the Americas.

1. Interaction and cooperation with other Jatropha research initiatives and creation of
a regional Central American network for Jatropha research activities.
2. Collection and characterization of regional Jatropha strains and creation of a
Germplasm Bank at Zamorano.
3. Evaluation of the productivity, key agronomic and agroecological issues of the
Jatropha curcas cultivation
4. Value chain definition for Jatropha seeds and other byproducts.
5. Bio-fuels Education at Zamorano

All these activities will make part of the “Learning-by-Doing” Modules as part of
Zamorano teaching activities, integrating the students in all aspects of this research.

The project duration is set for five years, an adequate timeframe required to acquire
useful information about the behavior of different varieties of Jatropha under diverse
agronomic conditions. In order to plan, acquire materials and contract personnel in time
to establish the experimental plantations during the onset of the rainy season in late May
or early June, the ideal starting month for this project would be June 2008.

Principal Activities and Results

1. Jatropha Germplasm Bank Component

Designed and overseen by Dr. Odilo Duarte and Dr. Nils Berger, this Jatropha research
effort will be carried out on approximately 3 hectares of Zamorano land. The creation of
a Jatropha Germplasm Bank will create long-term research opportunities unique in the
Americas. Although Jatropha curcas is native to Mexico and Central America, the plants
currently employed internationally in Jatropha plantations are varieties that were exported
from the New World centuries ago, and propagated on the islands of Cabo Verde and in
India. These varieties are thought to be more productive, but little is known about the
biology and genetic diversity of Jatropha.

The Jatropha Germplasm Bank will serve as a permanent repository for collected samples
of commercial varieties of Jatropha curcas. It will contain catalogued specimens of
Jatropha from other seed collections through seed exchange, and regional accessions to
be collected throughout the probable genetic centers of Jatropha in Central America.
These specimens will be maintained in a living, working Jatropha collection and serve as
a gene source for conventional and specialized (molecular markers) genetic studies in
Zamorano and together with international partner institutions. The collection can be used
to study the biology of the species, its hybridization characteristics and genetic
variability, and identify potentially useful characteristics of each specimen. The
specimens will provide propagation material such as seeds and cuttings to the agronomic
study of this proposal, to regional producers and programs. Studies on tissue culture,
currently not utilized in Jatropha propagation but potentially vital for the establishment of
highly productive plantations, will be facilitated by the Germplasm Bank’s database of
specimens and their characteristics. Information from Zamorano’s Germplasm Bank will
be shared with other similar institutions throughout the world. The collection will follow
the pertinent regulation for seed propagation safety and germplasm bank installation as
published by FAO and IPGRI in 1994.

The Jatropha accessions for the Germplasm Bank will be characterized according to:

1. Seed production
2. Oil concentration and quality
3. Disease and pest resistance
4. Photosynthetic efficiency
5. Nutrient efficiency

The Agricultural Science and Production Department (CPA) will manage the Jatropha
Germplasm Bank. The project agronomist, professors and Zamorano students will be
involved in the collection, planting and care of the GP Bank both as part of the CPA
Learning-by-Doing module (with the participation of 100 students per year), and in
fulfillment of around 4 Senior Thesis research projects per year. Relevant results will be
published in regional (Ceiba, Agronomia Mesoamericana) and international peer
reviewed scientific journals and presented in the Annual PCCMCA (Programa
Centroamericano de Mejoramiento de Cultivos y Animales) and other meetings targeting
use of renewable resources.

Methodology:
1. Field trips for seed collection in the genetic centers of J. curcas throughout
Central America. Seed exchange from other parts of the world. Description of the
collection site (soil sampling, geographic position, growth descriptions and
botanical characteristics)
2. Installation of the germaplasm bank with the collected seed and planting
materials. The 3 ha field for the germplasm bank installation will be planted
continuously as new material is being collected and characterized.
3. Identification of promising strains for agronomic evaluation.
4. Planting material reproduction for promising Jatropha accessions for cultivation in
the agronomic trials.
Germplasm Bank Component Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Activities q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2
Design GP Bank, plan collection strategy
Collect, catalogue and cultivate
specimens
Description of crop growth and overall
performance
Identitify suitable crop for detailed
research
Maintain Jatropha collection for research
Integrate into Learning-by-Doing module
Facilitate student research theses
Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Deliverables q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1
Detailed Germplasm Bank plan and
report
1-year Germplasm Bank report, main
achievements
2-year Germplasm Bank report,
achievements, further steps
3-year research plantation report
4-year research plantation report, project
report, achieved goals, further steps
Final Report (5-yr. Germplasm bank),
Recommendations for further activities
Senior Thesis reports (aprox. 4 per year)
and publications
2. Evaluation of Jatropha Productivity Component

This component will evaluate the productivity of high potential varieties of Jatropha
curcas under diverse agronomic regimes on Zamorano land in the Yeguare Valley of
Central Honduras. The growing and cropping information found about J. curcas for
Central America is very variable and lacks trustworthiness, making local research
necessary, especially when there is little information available concerning the yields of
different Jatropha varieties and cultivation methods in the region. The results of this
research will benefit entrepreneurs interested in growing Jatropha as a feedstock for the
production of bio-diesel.

Zamorano’s Agricultural Science and Production Department (CPA) will plant and
maintain up to 10 hectares of Jatropha on Zamorano land with adequate drainage and
access to irrigation, depending of advances in yield and production improvements. This
land will be dedicated to Jatropha research as long as results are deemed useful. The
project will test at least four varieties of Jatropha curcas - Cabo Verde, Hindu and
promising regional accessions defined during the survey for the germplasm collection.
Multiple agronomic variables that will be studied include:

1. Planting density (high an low planting densities);

2. Technological irrigation versus no irrigation;
3. Different fertilization regimes;
4. Pruning and grafting techniques;
5. Effect of propagation technologies (seed, vegetative, tissue culture) on crop
development and production;
6. Intercropping and cover crop use for nitrogen supply;
7. Association with mycorrhizae for improved phosphorous supply of J. curcas.
8. Identification and control of diseases and plagues.

As seed material for existing and new varieties is rare; the research area will be planted
continuously during the first 3 years of the project. In the first two years will be planted 3
ha each and up to 4 ha in the 3rd year of the project, reaching 10 hectares by the end of
year 3. After 2 years an initial assessment of achievements will be done to determine
further steps towards the Jatropha field research component.

This component will be managed by Dr. Nils Berger. The project agronomist will manage
the establishment and maintenance of the experimental Jatropha plantation. Zamorano
students will be involved in the planting and care of the plantation both as part of the
CPA Learning-by-Doing module (with the participation of over 300 students per year),
and in fulfillment of around 4 Senior Thesis research projects per year. Relevant results
will be published in regional (Ceiba, Agronomia Mesoamericana) and international peer
reviewed scientific journals and presented in the Annual PCCMCA (Programa
Centroamericano de Mejoramiento de Cultivos y Animales) and other meetings targeting
use of renewable resources.
Jatropha Productivity Component Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Activities q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1
Plan, acquire seeds, contract
personnel
Establish first trials on 5 ha Jatropha
research area
Establish further trials on 5ha
Jatropha research area
Maintain 5 ha. Jatropha research
area
Maintain 10 ha. Jatropha research
area
Harvest of Jatropha from research
area
Data collection and description of
overall crop development
Integrate into Learning-by-Doing
module
Facilitate student research theses
Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Deliverables q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2
Detailed plan for research plantation
and report
1-year research plantation report
2-year research plantation report,
description of overall crop
development, further steps
3-year research plantation report
4-year research plantation report,
project report, achieved goals,
further steps
Final Report (5-yr. plantation
results), Recommendations for
further activities
Senior Thesis reports (aprox. 4 per
year) and publications
3. Regional and international network promotion and value chain adding for Jatropha
seeds

During the Jatropha consultation the proposers realized that there are existing local
networks for Jatropha curcas research and dissemination on nearly every continent. Each
of these research initiatives has its focus on specific Jatropha issues (i.e. marker
supported genetic characterization, agronomic research, breeding, etc.). In order to
achieve a comprehensive set of agronomic and genetic data of Jatropha, this part of the
project suggests to enhance the Jatropha researches by connecting these isolated research
initiatives and creating a comprehensive network involving all value chain participants.

As a second part Zamorano will act as an initiator to enhance value to the Jatropha seeds.
It can be observed, that Jatropha is growing as hedge-row in small-holder farms in the
neighborhoods of the Yeguare Valley. Offering a price –to be defined during the initial
phase of the project- may give an incentive for these farmers to harvest the Jatropha seeds
and sell them to a oil extraction mill (i.e. at Zamorano) for further processing (i.e.
biodiesel).

This component will be managed by Carlos Ardón, member of Zamorano’s

Socioeconomic Development and Environment Department (DSEA) and will be
supported by the project agronomist. Zamorano students will be involved in the planting
and monitoring of the research plots both as part of the DSEA Learning-by-Doing
module (with the participation of 168 students per year), and in fulfillment of around 4
Senior Thesis research projects per year. Relevant results will be published in regional
scientific journals (Ceiba, Agronomia Mesoamericana) and presented in the Annual
PCCMCA (Programa Centroamericano de Mejoramiento de Cultivos y Animales)
meetings.
Small Scale farming component Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Activities q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2
Negotiate research agreements w/ farmers
Economic analysis of seed production and by-
products
Monitor management, productivity of sites
Integrate into Learning-by-Doing module
Facilitate student research theses
Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011 Y2012 Y2013
Project Deliverables q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1 q2 q3 q4 q1
Detailed Activities and research plan
1-year Activities and Achievements report
2-year Activities and Achievements report,
further steps
3-year Activities and Achievements report
4-year Activities and Achievements report,
project report, achieved goals, further steps
Final Report (Recommendations for further
activities
Senior Thesis reports (aprox. 4 per year) and
publications
4. Oil extraction and Bio-diesel Production, Quality and Storage Stability Research
Component

The Bio-diesel Production Research Program in Zamorano’s Agro-Industry Department

(AGI), led by Dr. Francisco Bueso, has already undertaken some initial research on the
characteristics of bio-diesel derived from different oil feedstocks (Palm, Soybean, Corn,
Jatropha and Castor). Student interest in the area of renewable energy, and bio-fuels in
particular, is high, and several senior research theses have been completed using small
quantities and equipment that are not ideally suited for this type of research (1 thesis in
2006, 6 theses in 2007, and 3 in 2008). The construction of a complete bio-diesel
processing facility will allow the AGI Department to greatly expand the research
opportunities it can offer its students. It will also complete a small-scale bio-diesel value
chain within the university, necessary for students to fully grasp the concept of bio-fuels.
By actively transforming a measured area of oil seed crops into refined oil and
subsequently to a known volume of fuel, students will better understand the amount of
external energy required for the modern agricultural activities they carry out on a daily
basis. An enhanced understanding of this energy dynamic will foster increased innovation
in the management and conservation of energy in their future agriculture-related careers.

During the project’s first three quarters, efforts in the Bio-diesel Production Research
Component will be dedicated to constructing an adequate facility, installing and acquiring
the oil-extraction and refinement equipment, and installing the bio-diesel reactor (already
owned by Zamorano). The facility will allow bio-diesel production and storage of raw
materials, all conforming to modern security measures, including the construction of a
residue pond to handle effluents. Equipment to be acquired includes a cold hydraulic
press for oil extraction and four tanks for oil refinement (de-gumming, alkaline
neutralization, bleaching and deodorization). Laboratory equipment acquired by the
project will include a combustion energy meter, capillary viscometers and engines for
performance and emissions evaluations. This will allow Zamorano to evaluate bio-diesel
quality according to international standards such as ASTM D6751.

The bio-diesel production pilot plant will have the capacity to produce up to 60 gallons of
fuel per day. Small quantities of different types of oilseed feedstock will be purchased in
years 2 and 3 of the project to test oil refining equipment and conduct research. As
supplies of Jatropha seeds become available in the third year of the project, the plant will
be utilized to transform the seed into bio-diesel, which in turn will be used to power some
Zamorano vehicles. Ideally, construction of facilities should begin in June, 2008 so the
plant will be operational by January, 2009, the beginning of a new school year. This will
allow conducting research related to engine performance and the preservation of fluidity
and oxidation stability of bio-diesel during extended storage under cold and hot weather
for a least two full years.

Once constructed, the bio-diesel pilot plant will be integrated into the AGI Learning-by-
Doing module (with the participation of 60 students per year), and will provide the
opportunities for 4 Senior Thesis research projects per year. Relevant results will be
published in regional scientific journals (Ceiba, Agronomia Mesoamericana) and
presented in the Annual PCCMCA (Programa Centroamericano de Mejoramiento de
Cultivos y Animales) meetings.

Bio-diesel Production Research

Component Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Project Activities 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2
Select site, order equipment
and materials
Build bio-diesel facility
Install oil extraction and bio-
diesel prod. equipment
Produce bio-diesel when
feedstock available
Integrate into Learning-by-
Doing module
Facilitate student research
theses
Y2008 Y2009 Y2010 Y2011
q q q q q q q q q q q q q
Project Deliverables 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2
Plant design
Detailed research plan and
report
1-year research report
2-year research report
Final research report
Senior Thesis reports (4 per
year) and publications

5. Bio-fuels Education Component

A co-principal objective of the Jatropha/Bio-diesel Project is to promote the adoption of

renewable energy in the Americas through the practical education of some of its brightest
and most motivated minds. Zamorano already has a unique and time-tested methodology
for offering its students an in-depth and practical agricultural education. In addition to a
rigorous classroom and laboratory-based theoretical education, students spend half their
time at Zamorano participating in the Learning-by-Doing program. Learning-by-Doing
gives students hands-on experience managing each of 13 different agricultural enterprises
during their university career. Students in their final year are also engaged in completing
a senior research project. Professors have observed increasing interest by students in the
area of renewable energy, and agronomic and agro-industrial studies of the Jatropha to
bio-diesel value chain will fulfill this increasing need for research topics.

All of Zamorano´s more than 1,000 students from 18 countries throughout Latin America
will be exposed to the project, its challenges and promises. Each of the four project
components described above will be integrated into the Learning-by-Doing program.
Additionally, the costs, profitability, markets and entrepreneurial development aspects of
Jatropha will be analyzed by the approximately seventy 3rd and 4th year students in the
Agribusiness Career.

Table 1. Project budget

Year Year Year Year Year Tota

Cost Description 1 2 3 4 5 l
Evaluation of Jatropha Productivity
Component
Establishment of 10 hectare
agronomic trials
2,145. 2,145. 1,430. 5,72
Seed/tissue culture, nursery 00 00 00 0
Soil and field prep., planting of 1,230. 1,230. 820.0 350.0 350.0 3,98
10 ha. 00 00 0 0 0 0
Installation and maintenance of 2,700. 2,700. 1,150. 1,150. 1,150. 8,85
irrigation on 5 ha. 00 00 00 00 00 0
Cultural Practices
Herbicide, fertilizer, pruning, 1,200. 2,400. 3,200. 3,200. 3,200. 13,2
etc. 00 00 00 00 00 00
450.0 1,200. 3,000. 4,000. 5,000. 13,6
Harvest, including post harvest 0 00 00 00 00 50

* Agronomist (Including salary and 16,00 16,32 16,64 16,97 17,31 83,2
benefits) 0.00 0.00 6.40 9.33 8.91 65
3,000. 3,060. 3,121. 3,183. 3,247. 15,6
* Field worker 00 00 20 62 30 12
Component 1 144,
Total 277

Jatropha Germplasm Bank

Component
Cost Description
Establishment of 3 hectare
collection
2,145. 2,14
Seed/tissue culture, nursery 00 5
Soil and field prep., planting of 1,640. 200.0 200.0 200.0 200.0 2,44
3 ha. 00 0 0 0 0 0
Installation and maintenance of 5,400. 1,800. 1,050. 1,050. 1,050. 10,3
irrigation on 3 ha. 00 00 00 00 00 50
Cultural Practices
Herbicide, fertilizer, pruning, 900.0 900.0 900.0 900.0 900.0 4,50
etc. 0 0 0 0 0 0
450.0 600.0 900.0 1,200. 1,500. 4,65
Harvest, including post harvest 0 0 0 00 00 0
Component 2 24,0
Total 85
Research Equipment and Mats. Logistics (agronomic research)
7,500. 7,50
LAI 2000 Canopy Measurement 00 0
500.0
GPS and accessories 0 500
 Year Year Year Year Year Tota
Cost Description 1 2 3 4 5 l
1,000. 500.0 500.0 500.0 500.0 3,00
Office materials and equipment 00 0 0 0 0 0
Portable field scale, 6kg,0,1g + 1,000. 1,00
600g, 0.1g 00 0
Pesola Suspension Scales, 1kg, 350.0
2.5kg, 10kg, 50kg 0 350
2,000. 4,000. 4,500. 4,500. 4,500. 19,5
Fertilizer and Agrochemicals 00 00 00 00 00 00
1,500. 1,500. 500.0 500.0 500.0 4,50
Field materials 00 00 0 0 0 0
Soil fertility sampling and 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 12,5
nutrient analysis 00 00 00 00 00 00
Leaf sampling and nutrient 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 2,500. 12,5
analysis 00 00 00 00 00 00
Equipment for components 61,3
1 & 2 Total 50

Networking and regional Jatropha initiatives component

Survey of regional production patterns, Incentive of jatropha harvesting by Small

Scale Farmers
Buying of seed and logistic 12,5
support 2,500 2500 2500 2,500 2500 00

Logistics Support (for networking, germplasm collection and regional Jatropha

iniciatives)
Vehicle and maintenance, 16,50 5,500. 5,500. 5,500. 5,500. 38,5
Travel expenses 0.00 00 00 00 00 00
Component 3 51,0
Total 00

Bio-diesel Production Research

Component
Oil extraction and refining 43,53 43,5
equipment and facility 0.00 7.00 0.00 37
35,00 35,0
Biodiesel facility 0.00 0.00 0.00 00
22,50 22,5
Lab equipment 0.00 00
Component 4 101,
Total 037
Student Innovation Component
Support for Senior Student Theses
20,0
8 theses/year x $500 x 3 years 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 00

Project Coordination
* Project Coordinator 12,00 12,00 12,00 12,00 12,00 60,0
($1000/month) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 00

113,6 146,0 66,91 66,71 68,41 461,

Partial sum 10 92 8 3 6 749
 Year Year Year Year Year Tota
Cost Description 1 2 3 4 5 l
Indirect Costs (26.7% on personnel 38,2
and operations) 7,476 7,561 7,649 7,737 7,828 52
* Budget items subject to indirect
cost recovery
121,0 153,6 74,56 74,45 76,24 500,
Total costs per year 86 53 6 0 4 000

The Zamorano Jatropha Team

Zamorano has assembled a multi-faceted team of agricultural experts from its faculty to
conduct this important research on Jatropha curcas in Central America. The team
includes authorities on agricultural science and production, agro-industrial processes and
rural development outreach.

Team Members (CVs appended)

• Mario Contreras, Ph. D., Director of the Zamorano Center for Renewable Energy
(CERZ). Dr. Contreras will be the overall Project Coordinator.
mcontreras@zamorano.edu

• Odilo Duarte, Ph. D., Agricultural Science and Production Department. Dr.
Duarte will supervise the Germplasm Bank Component.
oduarte@zamorano.edu

• Nils Berger, Ph. D., Agricultural Science and Production Department. Dr. Berger
will supervise the Evaluation of Jatropha Productivity Component.
nberger@zamorano.edu

• Carlos Ardon, Rural Development Specialist, Socioeconomic Development and

Environment Department. Mr. Ardon will supervise the Small-scale Farmer
Research Component.
cardon@zamorano.edu

• Francisco Javier Bueso, Ph. D., Agro-industry Department. Dr. Bueso will
supervise the Bio-diesel Production, Quality and Storage Stability Research
Component.
fbueso@zamorano.edu

Contact in the US

Vince Murphy
Grants Officer, Zamorano
9300 Lee Highway, Suite G-130
Fairfax, VA 22031-6051
(202) 737-5580 ext. 12
(202) 536-8819
vmurphy@zamorano.edu