Journal of Environmental Treatment Techniques
2020, Volume 8, Issue 3, Pages: 1060-1068
J. Environ. Treat. Tech.
ISSN: 2309-1185
Journal web link: http://www.jett.dormaj.com
An Overview Study of Jatropha Curcas as a
Sustainable Green Energy and its Economic
Impacts to Local Farmers in Kano State, Nigeria
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Mukhtar Sabiu Yahuza *, Hüseyin Gökçekus , Sadiq Mahmoud Ahmad , Nura Yunusa
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Department of Architecture, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkey), Cyprus
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Department of Civil Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia (via Mersin 10, Turkey),
Cyprus
Received: 28/03/2020
Accepted: 30/06/2020
Published: 20/09/2020
Abstract
The planet is dying due to so many human activities that are harmful to our environment, such as cutting down trees without growing
new ones, carbon emissions through the use of combustion engines and burning firewood etc. As such, these anthropogenic activities
pollute our environment and compromising human sustainability. These harmful activities were carried-out either deliberate or unknown
to people in search of energy, survival and luxuries of life. Therefore, there is strong need to find sustainable source of energy that is
renewable and environmentally friendly for continual existence of man on this planet. Biodiesel can be extracted from Jatropha Curcas
L, which serve as a source of renewable energy. In this paper; the awareness, processing method, economic and medicinal benefits of
Jatropha Curcas in Nigeria was discussed. The paper gives priority to three different studies, with addition of regression analysis. The
research concluded that there is high rate of awareness of Jatropha Curcas plant, mainly used in live fencing, homestead fencing and
farm boundaries mainly in Kano state, Nigeria; though, most of the farmers were not aware of its benefits such as biodiesel oil, medicinal
uses, anti-desertification features, soap making among many others, but they are willing to produce the biodiesel from it. The research
also recommends awareness campaign and government incentives in the cultivation, production and marketing the biodiesel in Nigeria.
Keywords: Biodiesel; Biofuel; Fuel; Fossil; Jatropha Curcas; Kano state; Nigeria; Renewable energy
Introduction1
not emit any harmful greenhouse gasses when burning or during
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any stage in the process of using or processing it. The energy of
Jatropha Curcas is gotten when the jelly in the dried seed was
extracted and filtered, which is pale yellowish. With the world’s
fossil fuel depleting rapidly one cannot predict the time left before
it finishes, this is found using the R/P ratios; that is the ratio of
reserves to production rates at current stage. At the production
rates currently, crude-oil will finish in 53 years, coal in 110 years,
and natural gas in 54 years from June 8, 2018 (6). However,
Devanesan (7), (2007) also established the fact that crude oil
reserves might be exhausted before 50 years at the current state of
use by various machineries. This research shows the demand for
other alternative sources of energy sources to use in the future,
nevertheless Jatropha Curcas can be a solution to future energy
needs in the world. The only disadvantage about Jatropha Curcas
is the poison in it when accidentally swallowed, but the damage
can be treated if the victim receives medical attention, though, no
mortality cases were reported yet (8).
Nigeria practices a mono-economic system on fossil fuel
mainly, thereby abandoning agriculture and other essential sectors
of the economy. Jatropha Curcas was introduced into Nigeria in
the year 2007, and many policies were developed by past Nigerian
governments about how to promote biofuel but nothing much
beneficial has been brought out of those policies. Nigerian Federal
Executive Council (FEC) in 2007 propose and approve the
establishment of the Biofuel Research Institute and Biofuel
Energy Commission (BRI & BEC), the diversification of Nigerian
Jatropha Curcas seed is a green plant that can be cultivated,
harvested and processed to produce energy which is renewable
and safe for human existence, as such, it becomes sustainable and
reliable biofuel in the world. Dehgan (1), (1984) and
jatrophaworld (2), (2007) describes Jatropha Curcas as a drought-
resistant plant that belongs to the family Euphobiaceae, in other
words, Euphorbiales containing some 7500 species in 275 genera.
Others provide waxes and oils as well as medicinal drugs. Jatropha
Curcas can grow to heights of six meters or more thus, making the
collection of seeds more convenient (3). Biofuel means the aspect
of using organic matter to produce energy for our daily needs, even
though, there are various organic biofuels we eat and use as our
daily activities, but there are lot problems we might encounter if
they will be used in production of fuel, for example our ancestors
use groundnut oil for fuel in lamps, and as same time used the
groundnut oil to cook meals, this is not sustainable being to the
fact it will cause shortage and starvation of food around the world,
if the food we eat is used in the production any form of energy
production. Jatropha Curcas is not edible and it can be planted on
degraded farms where other edible crops can hardly survive, the
roots of Jatropha plant penetrate deep into the soil to reach
unground water, and thus, assists in strengthening the soil quality
and reduce erosion of the soil and fight desertification (4).
Desertification is one of the severe threat to the soil nutrients and
economic condition in Nigeria, especially the northern part of the
country (5). The most amazing part of Jatropha Curcas is it does
Corresponding author: Mukhtar Sabiu Yahuza, Department of Architecture, Near East University, 99138 Nicosia (via Mersin 10,
Turkey), Cyprus, (Coauthor PH-+905100, +234806224933. E-mail: mukhtarsabiu@gmail.com, 29185350@std.neu.edu.tr).
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