Bread for the World (BfdW), formerly EED, has been supporting PEEDA since last 9 years. The support was received for 3 different projects on Jatropha Biofuel. The first project was focused on project feasibility study, Jatropha plantation which was followed by agricultural activity, community engagement, plantation and income generating activities. The third project has been focused on plantation, R&D, enterprises and entrepreneurship, knowledge sharing and advocacy.

Though the “Jatropha” project was a pilot initiative but it has got the potentialities of being viable politically, socially and economically. Although large economic benefit to all Jatropha farmers was not noticed, the project was successful enough to improve the livelihood of poorest section of the society, marginalized people, dalits and women through making them active in participating in self -help groups, nursery raising, cultivation and management of Jatropha plants and collecting the seeds. It is noteworthy to see that the project has been instrumental in encouraging and empowering the lowest strata of social classification, dalits to participate in each project activities with a view to improve their livelihood through enhancing their awareness, entrepreneurship, leadership and socialization.

The Biofuel project has enabled local communities at Manebhanjyang, Thakle, Toksel and Madhavpur VDCs of Okhaldhunga district to develop and use end use products such as soap, seedcake and candle from Jatropha oil. Also, the project has successfully adopted “Do No Harm” strategy while planting 75,000 new Jatropha plants in barren, isolated and marginalized lands. The nursery owners have been able to generate additional income by selling Jatropha saplings and various vegetables that had been inter-cropped with Jatropha that had been provided by the project. In addition to this, the project has established a fully functional grinding and expelling mill in Manebhanjyang VDC that is generating good profit and has helped local people providing services near to their homes. The mill is governed and managed by a Mill Operating Committee that is being led by woman with 50% women participation.

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