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BioFuel Africa, a Norwegian-based biofuel company, today began cultivation of its 850-hectare test farm in the Volta region of Ghana, 110 km from the country's largest seaport of Tema.
Two hectares of two-year-old jatropha trees have already been transplanted and are currently being cultivated using a variety of established and experimental techniques. The company expects to plant 1.7 million jatropha trees on the farm, capable of producing more than 2.5 million litres of jatropha crude oil. Two species of jatropha will be planted: one local Ghanaian species and another high-yield breed from India. Once planted, these trees can be harvested two to three times a year for at least 25 years. While jatropha trees have a life expectancy of up to 50 years, their production will likely peak after 25 years.
Tractors, ploughs, harrows, water irrigation and biodiesel equipment arrived at the test farm from Norway in early 2007, along with 5000 litres of B100 biodiesel on which the equipment will run. Once the land has been prepared and planted, the equipment will then move to the company's more extensive leased lands in northern Ghana.
The goal of the test farm is to explore various seed varieties and farming techniques to achieve the highest yields for the lowest cost. Mechanization versus manual methods of clearing, planting, farming and harvesting are all being tested to determine best practices. Additionally, the test farm is a proving ground for the company's training and management of local workers.
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