Harvesting of oil-bearing Jatropha seeds from individual trees begins six months after first sowing or planting a tree and it continues year round as branches sprout, flower and bear fruit. From our experience, the new trees begin to yield fruit at optimal levels by the end of the 12th month.

Harvesting is a continuous year-round activity that is labour-intensive and thereby contributes to the economic well-being of the surrounding communities. Seed-bearing fruit shells are picked manually and then transported in open bags to the processing site where they are sun-dried until all the fruit shells have opened. Dry seeds are separated from the fruit shells, cleaned and then placed into temporary storage facilities. When dried to a low moisture content of 5 to 7% and then stored at room temperature, the seeds retain their viability for at least one year.