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-TBNet

Dear Fellow Jamaicans,

Since our last correspondence, Jamlink’s network has grown; and has an audience of 42,258 Jamaicans around the world, and still growing!

In keeping with the plan, we are now in the first phase of developing the proposed Jamaican Castor Oil Initiative; and would like to further encourage your active participation in this ongoing initiative.

For those of you just joining us, the main objectives and long-term goals of this Initiative are:

1. To develop and implement a new rural enterprise based on the locally grown, non-edible Castor oil plant – both for energy and raw material for over 700 uses.

2. To improve the economic conditions of rural Jamaica, and to validate an advanced-technology-driven and rural-focused-business model for both Jamaica and investors alike.

3. To reduce Jamaica’s energy bill and dependency on oil imports, while at the same time, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and spurring agricultural development.

4. To incubate and develop additional business models that support or derived from the cultivation and processing of the Castor oil seeds. Ultimately creating a national impact.

Project Concept

This project establishes a new rural business model based on the locally grown non-edible Castor oil plant. It will be initiated first in one community an operated for a period of 2 years, after which a mid-term evaluation will be conducted and compared with the initial community baseline assessment – subsequently providing the basis for deployment in other communities. The model consists of 3 main components:

A. Establishing a plant nursery and plantation model - This is necessary to ensure consistent supply and quality of the Castor oil seeds. Given the rural confines of this project, there is an abundance of locally-owned land which can facilitate a co-op type arrangement with local farmers for cultivation of the Castor oil plants. However it may be necessary to enter into a land-lease program with the government, in which case, cultivation of the plants would become part of the day-to-day operation of the project.

B. Growing and harvesting – The Castor oil plant grows commonly in Jamaica and generally requires little or no attention. However, to obtain the maximum yield of oil seed production, it will be necessary to take an agronomic throughout the life cycle of the plant. Harvesting generally occurs about 8 months after planting, thereafter an average of 2 crops per year.

C. Implementation of a centralized processing facility – The castor seed does not require technology different than that used for the production of edible oil. The same equipment can be used for other types of oleaginous oils. A simple extraction process can be used, preferably using motorized mechanical presses. The facility is scalable, permitting the processing of larger quantities of seed; and a viable business model in terms of the overall convergence from rural farming to mainstream agro-processing.

To participate in Phase One of the Jamaican Castor Oil Initiative, please contact us at jamlink@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Hansen von Shneir
305-218-2878
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Submitted by Jamlink “in support of all things Jamaican"