Eni Establishes Castor Oil Seed Multiplication Farm in Kenya

Eni, the global energy company, has established a 200-hectare multiplication seed farm for castor oil in Naivasha, Kenya, solidifying its commitment to transform the country into a regional hub for sustainable fuel production.

The farm will play a pivotal role in cultivating hybrid castor seeds, designed for subsequent distribution to 80,000 smallholder farmers recruited across 15 counties engaged in contractual farming with Eni.

The primary objective of this initiative is to bolster sustainable agricultural practices while contributing to a broader goal of combating carbon emissions.

The harvested castor seeds will undergo processing to yield non-edible vegetable oil, subsequently refined into biofuel intended for use by airlines.

Kenya Airways and Jambojet have already conducted successful tests of sustainable flights, utilising Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), with routes extending to the Netherlands and Mombasa last year.

Eni Biojet, comprising 100 percent biogenic feedstock, has emerged as a viable solution, compatible with up to 50 percent of JetA1 fuel.

This initiative marks Eni’s first venture in Africa, establishing an oilseed pressing plant in Wote, Makueni County, with an annual capacity of 15,000 tonnes since 2022. The plant has been crucial in supplying Eni’s biorefinery in Gela.

Eni’s approach represents a unique model in the agribusiness sector, positioning Kenya to integrate into the global industrial chain for agri-feedstock production. These raw materials are cultivated on degraded, semi-arid, or abandoned land, mitigating concerns of competition with the food supply chain.

The agri-hub development plan not only generates income and market access opportunities for tens of thousands of farmers but also designates them as training and technical support centers.

The multifaceted approach aims to enhance local agricultural production, contributing to soil regeneration and fostering sustainable practices in Kenya’s agro-industrial sector.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org