Context: Jatropha is a perennial drought resistant plant. Its seeds are very rich in oil (25%). Jatropha oil is suitable for cook stoves and running of modified diesel engines. It is also used for the manufacture of medicinal soaps. The farmers groups of Siwato and Langa in Arumeru district intend to establish a multi-purpose community enterprise that will use jatropha oil to produce a range of biodiversity products namely cook-stove fuel, bio-diesel and soaps

About the Proponent: This is a joint proposal for two farmers groups namely Siwato and Langa. The two groups are engaged in small scale jatropha farming. Some of the women members are collaborating with an Arusha-based agro-chemical company called KAKUTE for production of oil and medicinal soaps. The two groups have elaborate terms of cooperation, which spells out how they will collaborate on equal basis in the implementation of the proposed project. Altogether the two groups have 53 members. Langa (21) and Siwato (32).

Project Objective: To establish a community enterprise that will sustainably promote production, processing and utilization of Jatropha oil for energy development and poverty reduction initiatives.