• Produces 300 litres bio-diesel per  day

The pioneer Bio-diesel Middle Scale Industry which uses Jatropha seed as a raw material input has commenced production in Bati town, Oromia Zone, Amhara National Regional State.

While opening the launching workshop officially, Water & Energy State Minister Engineer Wondemu Tekele said that, Ethiopia expends billions of birr per year to import fuel. However, he said, the realization of this middle scale industry plays a great role in reducing the foreign currency expenditure and strengthening the country's focus on bio-diesel production.

Engineer Wondimu Teklie, Water and Energy State Minister

Executive Director of ORDA, Dr. Amebachew Mekonnen on his part said that, the availability of extensive Jatropha plantation in 13 districts of East Amhara serves as a raw material input for the Industry and also enables to maximize the production of bio- diesel in the country.

Dr,Ambachew Mekonnen,Executive Director of ORDA

Starting from 2006 ORDA tried to create awareness among the Batti community that, it is possible to produce bio-diesel from Jatropha seedlings, even though; at the beginning the idea was not accepted by the farmers. Currently ORDA, funded by Environmental Protection Authority planted a pioneer middle scale industry with an outlay of 1.5 million Ethiopian birr and started off pilot production.

It is also explained that the middle scale Industry designed by Engineer Eshetu Desalegn saves 20 million Ethiopian birr in foreign currency, as the same machine could have coasted the stated money, had it been imported.

The inventor of the middle scale Industry, which produces 300 litres of bio-diesel per day Engineer Eshetu Desalegn said that he will be continuously working hard to improve and innovate the plant until Ethiopia covers its fuel consumption from Jatropha plant.

Bio-diesel middle Scale Industry,Bati

IFTU Jatropha Producers' Cooperative, consisting of 300 households (100 women) members including residents of four rural kebeles of Bati and its environs, is established according to the regulation and directives of cooperatives and will be entitled to fully manage the processing plant. Furthermore, it is explained that "IFTU" Cooperative members are growing Jatropha trees as a raw material input on 20 ha land.