Harare — THERE is need to maximise the use of renewable energy sources such as jatropha that can bring relief to Zimbabwe which is grappling with erratic fuel and chemical fertilizer supplies, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Retired Lieutenant General Mike Nyambuya, has said.

The minister was speaking yesterday during a field day at Mr Jonah Chimusoro's 480-hectare farm in Beatrice.

Mr Chimusoro is one of the first farmers to embark multi-million dollar jatropha production, which is expected to produce 50 000 litres of bio-diesel by next year.

"It is the thrust of my ministry that we maximise the use of renewable resources.

"This farm is where we are launching our grand strategy to fully utilise the jatropha tree, which is one such renewable resource," Rtd Lt Gen Nyambuya said.

He said Zimbabwe was blessed with good soils and endowed with an excellent climate and this should be exploited to the benefit of the nation.

The time had come for the country that is under illegal sanctions to be self-sufficient and look for alternative sources of fuel, especially jatropha.

The plant produces seeds that can be used in the production of bio-diesel, a clean alternative fuel made from oils and the by-products will be insecticides and fatty acids for soap production.

The residue can be processed for organic manure and animal feed.

"Generally, foreign currency is a challenge. We cannot access lines of credit from the International Monetary Fund and from the World Bank. So we have to be self-sufficient. We have to pay cash up-front to get fuel," the minister said.

Rtd Lt Gen Nyambuya said jatropha should be given the same status as other crops as it would not only improve the fuel situation but would also become a cash crop.

"It is important that we give jatropha the importance accorded to other crops . . . Jatropha is not only a source of fuel but it will empower our farmers," he added.

He said Government has since intensified efforts to develop an alternative source of fuel and identified 122 000 hectares of land for jatropha cultivation.

The Government was targeting to substitute 10 percent of the country's annual diesel consumption with bio-fuels by 2010. Rtd Lt Gen Nyambuya said centres for jatropha farming would be set up in all provinces and farmers would access seedlings and information on cultivating the crop.

The National Oil Company of Zimbabwe, which has been tasked by the Government to oversee the National Bio-diesel Feedstock Production Project, would fund the projects.

Rtd Lt Gen Nyambuya said the country was also targeting to substitute 25 percent of petrol by blending it with ethanol to reduce the fuel import bill.

He said the necessary legislation to promote bio-diesel production was on the cards.

Jatropha is a drought-tolerant plant that produces seeds which contain at least 30 to 35 percent oils.