Jatropha: The energy source
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Jatropha is a long-lived, drought-hardy shrub grown by millions of households in Africa and much of the tropical and sub-tropical world. Jatropha heldges form a living fence, unpalatable to grazing animals. Planting along contour lines promotes soil conservation and prevents gully formation. Jatropha hedges demarcate ownership and when planted in mini-plantations, help reclaim degraded lands.
Jatropha produces a crop of seeds twice a year that have very high oil content. Jatropha seed is not a processed fuel, it is the raw, dry seed as it is released from the plant's seed pod. As such it is easily packaged,
transported, measured for use, and stored.
The oil from the seeds makes hypoallergenic soap, consmetics, toothpaste and quality paper. It can be used as biodiesel in modified diesel engines.
There is a far more direct impact that Jatropha could have on the lives of millions of people in tropical areas: as an energy source. Using a whole seed Jatropha cook stove can improve health, reduce deforestation and save women the back breaking and often dangerous task of searching for ever more scarce wood.
Jatropha produces a crop of seeds twice a year that have very high oil content. Jatropha seed is not a processed fuel, it is the raw, dry seed as it is released from the plant's seed pod. As such it is easily packaged,
transported, measured for use, and stored.
The oil from the seeds makes hypoallergenic soap, consmetics, toothpaste and quality paper. It can be used as biodiesel in modified diesel engines.
There is a far more direct impact that Jatropha could have on the lives of millions of people in tropical areas: as an energy source. Using a whole seed Jatropha cook stove can improve health, reduce deforestation and save women the back breaking and often dangerous task of searching for ever more scarce wood.
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