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Biofuels for a Greener Economy? Insights from Jatropha Production in Northeastern Ethiopia

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  • Brigitte Portner

    (Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Albrecht Ehrensperger

    (Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Zufan Nezir

    (Haramaya University, P.O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia)

  • Thomas Breu

    (Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

  • Hans Hurni

    (Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 10, 3012 Bern, Switzerland)

Abstract

Many observers view Jatropha as a miracle plant that grows in harsh environments, halts land degradation and provides seeds for fuel production. This makes it particularly attractive for use in Ethiopia, where poverty levels are high and the degradation of agricultural land is widespread. In this article, we investigate the potentials and limitations of a government-initiated Jatropha project for smallholders in northeastern Ethiopia from a green economy perspective. Data are based on a 2009 household survey and interviews with key informants, as well as on a 2012 follow-up round of interviews with key informants. We conclude that the project has not contributed to a greener economy so far, but has the potential to do so in the future. To maximize Jatropha’s potential, interventions must focus mainly on smallholders and pay more attention to the entire biofuel value chain.

Suggested Citation

  • Brigitte Portner & Albrecht Ehrensperger & Zufan Nezir & Thomas Breu & Hans Hurni, 2014. "Biofuels for a Greener Economy? Insights from Jatropha Production in Northeastern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:6:y:2014:i:9:p:6188-6202:d:40075
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Pilgrim & Mark Harvey, 2010. "Battles over Biofuels in Europe: NGOs and the Politics of Markets," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 15(3), pages 45-60, August.
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    1. Dorothée Boccanfuso & Massa Coulibaly & Luc Savard & Govinda Timilsina, 2018. "Macroeconomic and Distributional Impacts of Jatropha Based Biodiesel in Mali," Economies, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Gasparatos, A. & von Maltitz, G.P. & Johnson, F.X. & Lee, L. & Mathai, M. & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. & Willis, K.J., 2015. "Biofuels in sub-Sahara Africa: Drivers, impacts and priority policy areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 879-901.
    3. Ewunie, Gebresilassie Asnake & Morken, John & Lekang, Odd Ivar & Yigezu, Zerihun Demrew, 2021. "Factors affecting the potential of Jatropha curcas for sustainable biodiesel production: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    4. Asarudheen Abdudeen & Mohamed Y. E. Selim & Manigandan Sekar & Mahmoud Elgendi, 2023. "Jatropha’s Rapid Developments and Future Opportunities as a Renewable Source of Biofuel—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-28, January.
    5. Guta, Dawit & Jara, Jose & Adhikari, Narayan & Qiu, Chen & Gaur, Varun & Mirzabaev, Alisher, 2015. "Decentralized energy in Water-Energy-Food Security Nexus in Developing Countries: Case Studies on Successes and Failures," Discussion Papers 207713, University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF).

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