Look out Corn/Ethanol, here comes Jatropha biodiesel

May 18, 2007

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.

Posted by John Dodge on May 18, 2007 | Comments (1)

July 5, 2007

In response to: Look out Corn/Ethanol, here comes Jatropha biodiesel
kiflemariam Yehuala commented:

I would like to have information on the production of jatropha seeds. please send me the information available with you.

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