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et al. 2010), as well as the long-term impacts of large scale Jatropha projects on soil
quality and the environment (Weyerhauser et al. 2007).
Given the recent expansion of industrial Jatropha projects amidst a lack of infor-
mation about the socio-economic impacts of such projects and plants, it is an opportune
time to assess the impacts of industrial Jatropha plantations from the perspective of
local livelihoods. The analytical framework presented in this chapter is intended to
assist those at the local level in assessing the potential impacts of Jatropha (or other
biofuel) projects. This chapter is divided into three sections. Following this intro-
duction, the second section of this chapter presents the analytical framework and its
origins. Each of the three criteria form a sub-section in order to explore the indi-
cators and sub-indicators associated with it. The third and final section offers brief
concluding remarks by emphasizing the numerous opportunities for cooperation on
Jatropha-related projects.
10.2 THE ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK
Recent case study investigations of the socio-economic impacts of Jatropha in Ghana
and Ethiopia have revealed that local respondents were not consulted about the estab-
lishment of Jatropha plantations. Partly because of this, they suffered a decrease
in household landholdings and subsequent livelihood impacts on household socio-
economic status, food security, fallow periods, and fodder availability (Timko et al.
2013). The three key lessons - the importance of local consultation, the risks asso-
ciated with land alienation and decreases in the size of household landholdings, and
household-level socio-economic impacts - form the basis of the analytical framework
as the key criteria that local people could use to assess the potential impacts of Jatropha
cultivation, production and usage on their livelihoods. Wherever possible, this paper
distinguishes between the livelihood impacts that arise from Jatropha at the industrial
plantation scale and the community/local scale (including smallholder farmers growing
Jatropha for local use, as living fences or in agroforestry systems with Jatropha inter-
cropping). The criteria, indicators and potential sub-indicators are listed in Table 10.1.
These are listed in such a way as to indicate the optimum outcome - 'more of each' is
the preferred condition in terms of contributing positively to local livelihoods. Wher-
ever possible, recommendations for reducing conflicts and increasing cooperation are
given.
The framework in this chapter was developed in two stages. First, an extensive
list of potential socio-economic impacts of industrial biofuel projects was deductively
identified through a comprehensive review of the relevant published and grey literature
focused specifically on Jatropha. Where necessary, the research drew on more general
biofuel-related literature. While Jongschaap et al. (2007) outline several potential indi-
cators on this front, the criteria and indicators presented in this chapter are believed to
be the most elaborated list of socio-economic impacts of Jatropha at the time of writ-
ing. The literature review was completed in January 2011 through a search of CAB
Direct, Social Sciences in Forestry and ISI Web of Knowledge, using search terms such
as Jatropha, Jatropha social, Jatropha impact, etc. Papers that had as their main focus
Jatropha-related production, such as transerification, or biochemical and nutritional
evaluations, were eliminated from this review as they were not focused on the social
and environmental aspects of Jatropha cultivation, production and usage.
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