Post on 29-Jun-2015
Yawanawa Forest Fuel – Brazil
Energy Sovereignty for an indigenous tribe in the Amazon
Introduction
• to develop a Pure Plant Oil diesel substitute from native oil seeds• to produce sufficient amounts for all power and transportation needs• one village, three canoes, three generators – ca. 6,000 l / year• local diesel price extremely high • if successful, eventually all six villages will grow their own fuel
• assessed and trialed wild oil fruit potential
• three conversion systems installed
• 1,000 Jatropha trees planted• oil pressing infrastructure established
Project Progress
• new strategy – from wild to cultivated• converted engines operate flawlessly• secured continuation of project via
alternate source of funding• combined food & energy sovereignty
Successes
Challenges
Initial wild feedstock not suitable• insufficient stand density• ratio of overall fruit to oil bearing part too
high – insufficient yield
Challenges
Seeking new strategy• need for alternative feedstock • organic agroforestry Jatropha
required longer timeline
Assigned Topic Farm management experience
and academic training in organic
agriculture coupled with socio –
cultural open mindset allowed for
pragmatic decision making process
Assigned topic
Advice• consider pure plant oil technology
instead of biodiesel (energy balance)• balance energy plants with food
crops