The search for alternative renewable energy sources has increased the demand for many feed crops, such as corn, soybean, rapeseed and palm oils, for use as feedstocks. In many cases this trend has been encouraged by governments establishing mandated targets for biofuels use and introducing incentives for production of biofuels such as subsidies payable per gallon for blending biodiesel. The result has been higher food prices for staple foods which has disproportionately impacted lower income families in countries from Mexico to Egypt, and the Phillipines.
Other significant benefits and advantages include:
- It is easy to cultivate, requires little or no fertilisers and remains productive for up to 40 years.
- Because jatropha likes heat and requires very little rainfall to flourish, it places little demand on local water sources and is relatively drought resistant.
- It grows in arid regions and can protect areas from soil erosion and prevent desertification.
- Jatropha has a high oil content (30-40%) compared to food crop feedstocks such as rapeseed and soy beans.
- It provides a potentially cheaper and economical alternative to fossil fuels for communities in many isolated rural areas where it is grown.
- Jatropha offers a new sustainable income-generating crop to many areas and communities where agriculture is only marginally profitable.
- All the by products or waste created in jatropha fruit processing is reusable, biomass (grain husks, shells, and cake after crushing) provides an effective bio-fertilizer or can be used as feedstock for powering co-generation plants. The sediment oil can be used for soap production or as a lubricant.
- Biodiesel produced using crude Jatropha oil has a lower Cold Filter Plug Point ("CFPP") than biodiesel produced using palm oil, making it more acceptable as a biodiesel feedstock in a number of markets, particularly in Europe. Recent tests by a number of airlines have proved the suitability of Jatropha oil as a primary component in new generation aviation fuels (see news section)
