What is
jatropha? It's a weed whose seed produces and oil that can be refined into
biodiesel. It's like corn to
ethanol south of the border. Companies and farmers south of the equator are buying up millions of acres to cultivate this weed, which can grows most anywhere. It is also used to make soap, candles and animal feed. With more than million acres worldwide earmarked for cultivation, a
Christian Science Monitor article chronicles the perils of jatropha ventures. A hectare or 10,000 square meters produces about only 6.5 barrels of fuel, according to
Wikipedia and some claim the economics don't work. But jatropha, which is popular in India, has plenty of boosters including the
Center for Jatropha Promotion.
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