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Political support for Jatropha is already strong, and developing further
So far – especially in Asia – governments have been the main driver for Jatropha cultivation and developed specific Jatropha programmes. Rising crude oil prices are now creating a strong demand for biofuels. Therefore, large oil and energy conglomerates are beginning to implement large-scale Jatropha projects. In the course of this process, the focus of government regulation will shift towards more general frameworks for the biofuel sector.
Production is focused on domestic markets
Production for local markets is more important than export, especially in Asia. For domestic markets, the use of unrefined Jatropha oil is seen equally important as the transesterification into biodiesel.
Jatropha is typically planted using semi-intensive methods
Most Jatropha plantations have nurseries and apply cultivation techniques such as pruning or fertilisation. About half of the projects use some type of irrigation.
Carbon credits are not yet an issue for the majority of projects
The majority of projects have not taken action to participate in a carbon offsetting scheme so far. This may be the case because accepted methodologies for certification are not yet in place.
Jatropha research is dominated by Asia
The majority of projects do research on Jatropha. However, there are great regional disparities: 85% of the projects analysed in Asia are involved with Jatropha research, compared to 54% in Latin America and only 36% in Africa.
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