Estudio De Factibilidad Para El Establecimiento De Un Proyecto Productivo De Jatropha En Territorio Colombiano

Abstract

The main target of this investigation work is based on financial viability for 20 hectares Jathopa’s establishing in Colombia; considering location, technicalities, market factors and highlighting the weaknesses, threats, strengths and opportunities related to the project. Jatropha belongs to Euphorbiaceae family, it’s oily and the seeds oil content varies between 30 and 40%. Owing to its properties, the plant is used medicinally, in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry, as a pesticide, lubricant, fertilizer and as a non-conventional renewable energy source because it’s environmentally friendly, as it burns without smoking. Besides it’s a tree which nature it’s tolerance, has strengths and it is even used to control soil erosion. It’s worthwhile noting that world’s biofuels demand is increasing every year due to energy production from fossil sources is becoming smaller. The fuel from Jatropha is clean and environmentally friendly as it doesn’t contains sulfur and its CO2 balance is zero. Among the major Jatropha’s producers oil are China, India and Central America. Colombia has about 135.5 hectares planted, which are in Vichada, Chocó, Santander, Cauca, Antioquia, Cesar and Nariño. This study took into account a production’s variation according to the culture’s age, obtaining the maximum in the fourth year that appertain to 5 ton/ha/year. Furthermore it’s a perennial plant which ensures a long-term advantage to the producer, it’s also possible to combine the crop with agricultural crops as corn or beans, allowing business diversification according with investor’s interests. It were defined 20 hectares to establish the project, with a seeding density of 2x3 namely 1666 seedlings per hectare. The production varies according to the plant’s ripening, so initially the production is less than 3 tons per hectare and from the fourth year it is stabilized between 4 and 6 tons per hectare / year. Financially, the project yielded positive results making it as viable investment option and therefore profitable, maximizing the benefits will be linked to the plantation size, because the more planted hectares the higher the income will be. As for the financial indicators, It was obtained an IRR (real rate of return) equal to 13%, NPV (net present value) higher that 46 million pesos, a cost/benefit analysis greater than 1, real rate of return equal to 12%, and a capital’s payback period equal to 6.01 years.