Bedford Biofuels has broken ground in Kenya for the development of its Jatropha curcas nursery.

Jatropha is a robust, drought resistant tree, which begins to flower within six to eight months of planting and matures within three to four years. The tree continues to produce non-edible nuts, which contain 34-45% oil by weight, for up to 50 years. The oil is a drop-in replacement for diesel, which means its use does not require engine modification and can be used in automobiles, locomotives and aircraft.

Bedford Biofuels is now preparing for the planting of Jatropha after more than three years of fundraising, relationship building with locals and government officials in Kenya, acquiring land leases and awaiting licensing.

John Mitchell, Bedford’s general manager of Kenya, says each work day since the commencement of the nursery last week reveals visible progress.

“We started with removing trash from the site and cutting an access road, which leads to the site from the west,” says Mitchell. “We are clearing a parking and turning area for heavy vehicles delivering manure, for example, and we constructed a bora fence.”

The crew, which includes 26 local workers, has also been constructing an entrance gate, making pegs and gathering and transporting straw for mulching.

David McClure, President and CEO of Bedford Biofuels, said all the work the company has done since its inception in 2008 culminates with the preparation of a nursery and the planting of Jatropha.

“It’s a monumental time for Bedford with the ground breaking going on in Kenya,” says McClure. “There has been a lot of work behind the scenes to bring us to this point and we are ready to move ahead with planting. The local people are excited to see the land preparation because with it, they see the beginnings of employment and food security and the humanitarian commitments Bedford has made.”

Dustin Mitchell, managing director of Bedford, says the Kenya crew is ensuring the optimum conditions for planting, as determined by Quinvita, a leader in Jatropha plant science and research, with which Bedford has an exclusive contract.

“Much care is being taken as we prepare the seed beds. We will try to give the plant exactly what it wants so that it is in top health when transplanted out into the plantations,” he says. “All the seed bed criteria are a result of years of research, record keeping and study. Quinvita has tried many options to determine what works the best and is the most cost efficient.”