Jatropha

Jatropha is derived from the Greek words “Jatroas” – meaning Doctor and “Trophe” – meaning Medicine. It is commonly known as “the biodiesel tree” or “miracle tree”. It is native to Latin America and Africa but it has adapted to a wide range of soils and climates globally.

A perennial plant with a production history of over 50 years, Jatropha has low water requirements; indeed it is able to produce a reasonable harvest of seeds with only 500-700 mm of rainfall per year. As a minimum it can survive on 200 mm of rainfall per year. Another strength of this species is that it does not require good soil conditions to produce a large yield of seeds with high oil content.

Bio-Diesel Problem & Opportunity

The world has grown wise to the depletion of fossil fuel sources, the demand for alternatives has never been greater and it grows stronger by the day. Facts and figures to support this are abundant and obvious. Among the alternatives the world is most prepared to embrace immediately is bio-diesel. But, as with all silver-lining solutions, there is a cloud. Producing and providing enough bio-diesel to make a meaningful difference requires the processing of edible commodities such as soy, corn and other crops that serve other critical global needs – such as feeding the hungry. The answer would be something easy to access and process into biodiesel without compromising the world’s food supply. The answer is – Jatropha Curcas.

Jatropha: The Bio-Diesel Tree

Jatropha Curcas is the nut of an uncultivated wild species of shrub that grows to an average height of five meters. Several factors contribute to the extraordinary value of Jatropha to investors and the world.

• It’s poisonous which means it serves no value in the human food chain.
• It can grow in any warm climate, tropical or arid. Jatropha can thrive in the driest of deserts or the most humid tropical environments.
• The average seed contains up to 40% oil which can be more easily processed into high quality biodiesel fuel
• Can be grown successfully on marginal land so it won’t displace other crops or contribute to deforestation and rising food prices.