Yawanawa Forest Fuel – Brazil

Energy Sovereignty for an indigenous tribe in the Amazon

Introduction

• to develop a Pure Plant Oil diesel substitute from native oil seeds• to produce sufficient amounts for all power and transportation needs• one village, three canoes, three generators – ca. 6,000 l / year• local diesel price extremely high • if successful, eventually all six villages will grow their own fuel

• assessed and trialed wild oil fruit potential

• three conversion systems installed

• 1,000 Jatropha trees planted• oil pressing infrastructure established

Project Progress

• new strategy – from wild to cultivated• converted engines operate flawlessly• secured continuation of project via

alternate source of funding• combined food & energy sovereignty

Successes

Challenges

Initial wild feedstock not suitable• insufficient stand density• ratio of overall fruit to oil bearing part too

high – insufficient yield

Challenges

Seeking new strategy• need for alternative feedstock • organic agroforestry Jatropha

required longer timeline

Assigned Topic Farm management experience

and academic training in organic

agriculture coupled with socio –

cultural open mindset allowed for

pragmatic decision making process

Assigned topic

Advice• consider pure plant oil technology

instead of biodiesel (energy balance)• balance energy plants with food

crops