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This is a critical element of the project. If an effective harvesting process is not in place the quality of the seeds will deteriorate and have a negative affect on the esterification process. Jatropha seeds build up Free Fatty Acids (FFA) once they have ripened and lie on the ground.
Viridas intend to harvest mechanically and is developing, with existing manufacturers of picking equipment for the olive, fruit and nut industries picking machines specifically adapted for the picking of Jatropha.
Based on statistics for the olive industry, one worker can hand pick just over 4 Kilos per hour. With a mechanised “shaker” picker one worker can pick 635 Kilos per hour. For the running of a social programme that is aimed at maximising employment, as opposed to financial return, hand picking is an advantage. For a serious commercial enterprise the economics of mechanical picking are too compelling to ignore. |
