Jojoba—An Alternative Agriculture in the Caribbean Area

• Main Author: Cutting Jr., Ralph C.
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: Sperm whale
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.261564; http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/261564; https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/261564/files/20_17.pdf; https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/261564/files/20_17.pdf?subformat=pdfa

The need for a substitute for sperm whale oil and for a lubricant to replace depleting fossil fuel reserves has been a strong incentive for the development of jojoba, a plant native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Its popularity now is based upon its ability to grow in soils of marginal fertility, needs little water, withstands salinity and seems not to need fertilizers and chemical treatments. Jojoba can be grown, but can we afford to produce a crop? How much will it cost to produce? What will it yield? What will it sell for once production increases? These are major questions. Continuing research is needed to determine optimum plant spacing, male-to-female ratios, fertilization, weed-disease-insect control, cultivation and harvesting techniques. Answers to these questions take time and continuing genetic breeding must be done before consistently high yielding can be expected. The cost of producing jojoba appears to be economically feasible now, based upon existing knowledge. Plantations now need to be developed on large enough scales to demonstrate jojoba growing feasibility. This system will provide a basis for establishing this industry in the Caribbean when the need for raw materials becomes acute.