Global warming has taken centre
stage in discussions on the future of mankind. Climate change and its impact on humans
and the environment stand out already as the most pressing problems of our time.
For the already impoverished masses of the developing world, this catastrophe presents also an opportunity. We can ,if prepared, turn a global crisis into an opportunity
for change in Kenya and in the whole East African region.
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up in smoke
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Following the American crusade
in the Middle East, the Nigerian counter insurgency in the Niger Delta
and the accelerated growth of the Indian and Chinese economies, the
cost of fossil fuel has sky rocketed putting pressure on the emerging
economies of East Africa. This has therefore spurred interest in bio-fuels
as an alternative energy source. Even global multi-nationals, often reviled as wasteful and unfriendly to the environment are in on the act. Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic for example, has committed its London-
Nairobi route profits to research and development of alternative energy in Kenya.
Bio-diesel, a vegetable based
alternative to fossil-fuel diesel, can if well developed change
the lives of the people in this region. We are of course familiar with the Kenyan slowness on issues related to poverty
alleviation. This vegetable diesel can be extracted from coconuts, jatropha,
avocado and algae. At the moment though, Kenyan scientists and entrepreneurs are focusing
on jatropha curcas.
The oil plant jatropha curcas
(Jatropha) or physic nut is a multipurpose and drought resistant large
shrub or small tree. Although a native of tropical America, it now thrives
throughout Africa and Asia. It grows in a number of climatic zones in
tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and can be grown in areas
of low rainfall and poor soils. Jatropha is easy to establish,
grows relatively quickly and is hardy. Being drought tolerant, it can
be used to reclaim eroded areas, be grown as a boundary fence or as a live
hedge in the arid/semi-arid areas.
In mid-2006 the world Agro-forestry
research center (ICRAF) organised the first National conference in Nairobi
whose theme was, ‘Towards bio-diesel production in Kenya'. This
brought together stakeholders and players in the Jatropha value chain to
share their experiences and to seek common approaches on issues. Notable absentees
in the conference were the landowners, the poor pastoralists and peasant
farmers from Kajiado, Turkana, Kitui and Northern Kenya.
Despite the concerted efforts
being made by this corporations and Kenyan government, the full potential
of Jatropha is far from being realized. There are several reasons -
technical, economic, cultural and institutional that need further discussion
and examination.
The growing and management of Jatropha, either on private
public or community lands is poorly documented and there is little field
experience that is being shared, especially with the Landowners. The
markets for the different products have not been properly explored or
quantified, nor have the costs or returns (both tangible and intangible)
. Consequently,
potential growers especially those in the subsistence sector do not
have adequate information about the potential and economics of this
plant to make decisions relating to their livelihoods, not to mention
its commercial exploitation.
It is therefore necessary that the Kenyan government examine the potential role that Jatropha can
play in meeting some of the needs for energy services for rural communities
and also in creating avenues for greater employment. Most importantly representatives
of local communities must be included to examine any existing or latent
demand for the plant and to determine the framework for any future initiative
based on the outcome of the discussions on the potential of jatropha
curcas.
Information remains a key ingredient
in the development process. Thus it is important that it must be packaged
and disseminated with a lot of care. In this regard, the Maasai people like many other
inhabitants of ASAL regions have been ignored. They lack information
on the socio-economic and cultural effects of the bio-diesel push. Jatropha
is toxic to animals and given that pastoralism is the economic backbone
of the people living in the arid zones presents a potential catastrophe.
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‘Pastoralism has no
sustainable future for the Maasai. Jatropha offers the possibility of
reforestation, improving climate and providing a new source of income
for a rural people.... Millions of acres of under-used
land is available if the project succeeds which would transform the
economy of the Maasai people.
-Peter Moll, Project Head BioDiesel Kenya
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Kajiado district is where all
the multi-nationals want to set-up shop, ICRAF, Bio-diesel Kenya, GTZ,
Vanilla Development Foundation (VDF) and even Virgin Atlantic. Mr. Peter
Moll, the project director Bio-diesel Kenya in his article posted online
says, ‘Pastoralism has no
sustainable future for the Maasai, Jatropha offers the possibility of
reforestation, improving climate and providing a new source of income
for a rural people....The need is for injection of capital to
carry the concept through initially neighbouring Maasai landowners and
eventually across the whole of Kajiado. Millions of acres of under-used
land is available if the project succeeds which would transform the
economy of the Maasai people.'
What economy?
I do not on my part believe that it is Moll's place to tell the Maasai how to live. In my first article on this site, ‘Where's
the beef? Adding value to livestock farming' clearly
pointed out the potential of the livestock industry and what could be
done to improve it. Studies have shown that pastoralists are not only
resilient, but also open to innovations meant to improve their lives.
It is unlikely that these communities would stand in the way of this progress. What is needed is measures to involve them
in policy formulation so that they can plan ahead and place themselves in a
better position to protect their livelihoods.
It is ill-advised
for our government to get into bed with the foreign investors in the
Bio-fuel industry. Yes we know the potential of bio-diesel but what
is there for us the local Kenyan? Will this be another Lafarge, Magadi
Soda or Tiomin? What the Kenyan people need is to enjoy the fruits of
independence not paper economic growth that is a mirage to most of them. If change cannot
be avoided, it would be much better to be part of it and not observers.
Kenyans, ‘every cock that crows belongs to a home, but its voice belongs to the village'
(West African saying).
My question to you is, are
we ready?
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We do need to be looking out for energy alternatives, especially such alternatives as are cheap and provide multiple benefits. I do not think Moll means any harm, and surely fencing off the plants in the same way as one would any other cash crops is not asking for too much now is it.
As always, the key is in diversifying and innovating business solutions,