At FHE we consistently device and develop alternative sources of feedstock to ensure a constant supply of raw material to our production facilities. We prioritize sustainable growing methodologies and procedures that elevate the food for fuel crisis. Ensuring that our plantations and crops alike are able to emerge as a sustainable, cost effective and efficient fuel solution for our generations to come is one of our main aims.

Jatropha Curcas is a non edible oil crop predominately used to produce bio-diesel. In addition to bio-diesel production, the by-product of Jatropha Curcas' transesterification process can be used to make a wide range of products including high quality paper, energy pellets, soap, cosmetics, toothpaste, embalming fluids, pipe joint cement, cough medicine and as a moistening agent in tobacco. The Jatropha Curcas seed cake which is the waste by-product of the bio-diesel transesterification process can be used as a rich organic fertilizer. Jatropha Curcas grows best on well drained soils (preferably a PH 6-9) with good aeration but is well adapted to marginal soils with low nutrient content.

Jatropha Curcas grows well with more than 600mm rainfall per year and it can withstand long periods of drought. The plant sheds its leaves during a prolonged dry season.

Jatropha Curcas prefers temperatures averaging 20-28 degrees Celsius (68-85 degrees Farenheit). It can, however, withstand a very light frost which causes it to lose all its leaves and may produce a sharp decline in seed yield.

One tonne of Jatropha Curcas seeds will produce up to 600 litres of bio-diesel with proper management. The recommended planting rate of Jatropha Curcas is 3,030 plants per hectare (2.5 acres). Mechanical harvesting and simultaneous pruning is now available for this crop but is currently being beta tested as the capital expenditure is significant.

Jatropha Curcas seeds can produce 60% oil content depending on:

• Production capacity (genetics) of the plants
• Application of advanced pruning techniques
• Improved pollination results from establishment of bee colonies
• The moisture level of the soil
• The nutrient level of the soil
• Application of foliar fertilizer 30 days before harvest
• Stage of ripening at harvest
• Use of high quality processing equipment
• Processing completed within 24 hours of harvest
• Turnkey Establishment & Management Of Jatropha Curcas Plantations Include:
• Initial Soil testing and audit
• Site Inspection / Assessment
• Nursery Establishment and Management
• Plantation Establishment and Management (including application of advanced pruning techniques)
• Financial Feasibility study (capital, running costs, cash flow projections)
• Advanced Jatropha pruning / harvesting techniques
• Location and assessment of profitable biofuel investment projects
• Development of Bio-Diesel Refinery & Production facilities
• NEW! Labor cost savings of up to 40% with our GPS Mechanical Planting, Pruning, & Harvesting technology

ACHIEVABLE JATROPHA YIELDS - Based on 3,030 plants per hectare

Beginning to yield after 8 months

• 1st year oil yield/Ha 4.5 tonnes
• 2nd year oil yield/Ha 9.0 tonnes
• 3rd year oil yield/Ha 13.5 tonnes
• 4th+ year oil yield/Ha 15.0 tonnes

The plant has a known economic lifespan of over 40 years without replanting. There are many examples of trees over 60 years producing more than 120kg of seed, per year.

What makes Safflower a superior, more sustainable biofuel species?

• Carbon Sequestration. Safflower grows into a large tree with a 10-metre taproot, creating a huge carbon sink
• Resilience. Safflower is resistant to a wide range of adverse climatic conditions: drought, light frost, water logging, moisture stress and salinity
• Tolerance. Safflower does not require prime arable land otherwise used for food production
• Safflower is tolerant of extremely poor soil types and does not require prime arable land otherwise used for food production.
• Water and nutrients. Safflower is a nitrogen fixing leguminous tree that can source water and nutrients deep into the subsoil
• Carbon credits. Safflower carbon-fixing qualities qualify the tree for carbon credits
• Safflower easily surpasses plantation oil yield of other oil crops such as oil palm and jatropha with high oil content per seed (45-50%).
• Safflower plantations can be managed by smaller/unskilled workforce due to lower crop maintenance and ability to utilise mechanical pruning and harvesting equipment.
• Safflower is a legume therefore minimizing irrigation and expensive fertilizer requirements.
• Huge yield potential. At maturity, Safflower trees regularly produce 800 – 1,000kgs of seed, per tree, every year
• Flexibility. Safflower thrives in temperatures from zero degrees Celsius, right up to 50 degrees Celsius
• Environmental friendly. Intensive Safflower crops sequestrate more than 50 tonnes of CO2 per hectare, per year

Biofuel/Oil Plantation Crop Comparison

High Yield Safflower vs Regular Pongamia Genetics