The ancient crop jatropha grows wild here. It is extremely hardy and can survive in dry, barren soil – even though other plants cannot.
It used to be considered as bush with no commercial potential.
But the global search for clean energy has changed all that.
That is because the seeds can be harvested to make biofuel. It has meant that farmers are now taking to the crop with gusto.
Samson Nasary is one such farmer, and he is looking to jatropha as an important source of income.
He harvests the seed and takes it to a collection point where he meets an agent for a firm called Diligent Tanzania. The product is weighed and valued, then a deal is struck.
GREENEX2010 will feature more on the Jatropha industry.
