Living in an arid or semi- arid environment posses a big challenge in terms of food and water scarcity and escalates poverty levels. However a group of women from the semi- arid Nyeri North District have mastered a knack for surviving under the conditions.

These women are making money and at the same time creating employment for the youth. Their success came as a result of them exploiting the market for croton seeds.

Croton seeds are botanically known as Croton Megalocarpus or locally as Mikinduri seeds. They grow locally and have so far proven to be a valuable resource that had been wasting away. The magic of these seeds, as the women have discovered, is that they do not need water to grow.

The group of 12 members employs the youth to collect the seeds and package them. They then sell the packaged seeds to a community based organization that is carrying out a pilot project on producing bio-diesel petrol.

“We have been making good money and at the same time creating employment for the youth. The work is not very tasking as it simply involves collecting seeds from the croton trees, packaging them and selling.” says 29 year old Caroline Wairimu, the group’s secretary.

The group has been carrying out this business for almost one year and they say it was a welcome break for the community since food crops have failed in the area. The area is currently hard hit by famine since there have been no harvests for the last two years.

The group also grows sunflower and sells it to the same organization.

“We also grow sunflowers and castor seeds to sell to the organization. These are trees which grow in the dry areas and we don’t have to depend on rain to get an income. It is time for us to use the available resources for our development.” adds Wairimu while putting 10 kilograms of the croton seeds in sack, for sale.

The self- help group has also ventured into chicken rearing where they get income from selling eggs.

The group which is a Non-Governmental Organization is on the trial stages in developing the use of bio-diesel due to the shortage of oil.

Matatu driver, Francis Ngatia says, “At first there was a slight problem in starting the vehicle but it soon adjusted to the fuel. The diesel covers more kilometers than the normal diesel in the petrol stations. It is cheaper and safer for car engines. This is what we have been looking for.” He uses about 50 liters per day as he operates his vehicle along Munyu –Narumoru road.

Although the drivers, who are now traveling from as far as Nairobi- over 200km away to get the fuel, were first reluctant and worried that the petroleum might damage their engines, they have finally accepted the bio- diesel and approve of its usage.

“In these hard economic times, the bio- diesel has saved us. It is the better option. The fuel is good even if you mix it with fossil fuel. It is cheap and durable. It improves engine efficiency and lubrication of the engine.” said Kabugi Gichuki, a driver from Nairobi who comes to fill his tank every weekend.

The bio- diesel is being produced in a pilot project by a non- governmental organization in the area under the Kenya Eco- Energy Programme. It is one of the products which the organization processes in promoting products which are environmental friendly.

“The fuel is cheap, environment friendly and has less soot compared to fossil fuels. I have been using it for my car for the last few months and have no complaints on the performance.” said the director, Bernard Muchiri.

The project is funded by several organizations including Tree Crops Network, Kenya Forest Working Group, Kenya School of Projects in USA, ICCO Netherlands, Pact Kenya, Horizon Business Ventures, Kenya Eco-Energy Program and Solarix in Holland.

The one- month- old project aims at becoming the catalyst and source of relevant data on the production and use of bio-diesel as an alternative to fossil fuels in Kenya.

A liter of bio- diesel is currently being sold at KSh. 85 and can be used on any vehicle including tractors, trucks, lorries, matatus and saloon cars.

Bio- diesel produces fewer polluting emissions, supplies of it can be renewed indefinitely and because feedstock materials can be grown domestically, use of it can help bolster the economy while lessening the country’s dependence on foreign petroleum products.

The product is currently being processed at the Enterprise Development Centre which was previously used as a research centre.

“It is a simple complicity since it is being operated from rural area but the machines being used at the centre was brought in from Holland for KSh. two million. They supplied the bio- diesel unit and assisted in starting it and running.” said Jan –Hein Hoitsma from Solarix B.V Biodiesel Professionals from Holland.

Another seed by name canola or rape seed is also being used by the group after farmers inter cropping it with wheat and castor oil (Ricimus Communis) seeds. The seed has soil enriching properties and is being used by farmers growing cereals like sorghum or wheat.

The sponsors use an extensive network that involves farmers’ groups sourcing for the seeds. They also offer technical advice to farmers on the growing management and harvesting of canola seed, castor and croton.

The field coordinator of the project Mr. Paul Maina says that any organization wishing to venture into bio- diesel production must address the challenges of the sourcing of raw materials.

He says one needs to have farmers supply them with huge amounts of seeds to supplement them for over one year, and observed that four kilograms of seeds produces only a liter of bio-diesel.

The organization is now producing 400 liters a day though it has the capacity of producing over 800 liters a day. The centre now requires 1.6 tones of seeds.