Jatropha News Links
The jatropha bush seems an unlikely prize in the hunt…car. Almost overnight, the unloved Jatropha curcushas become an agricultural and…effects of global warming. The hardy jatropha, resilient to pests and resistant to… 28 July 2007 The Times read article here
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Seeds of hope - There’s mounting concern in the north about the headlong rush into biofuels, but the view from the south is very different. Terry Slavin on how the jatropha plant is holding out hope to some of the world’s poorest countries Tuesday 26 June 2007 09.07 BST read article here
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Biodiesel breakthrough comes at £13m cost to BP-backed firm – Wednesday 1 October 2008 read article here
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Energy Consultant Urges Investment In Nonfood Crop Sources of Biofuels -The expansion of plantations supplying the raw materials for biofuels should not come at the expense of food production, an international conference on biofuel was told on Thursday. read article here
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A global map for figuring out where to grow biofuel crops – Indonesia is probably the worst place in the world to grow biofuel crops, according to David Lobell, who is part of a project to determine good and bad places in the world to grow fuel crops. read article here
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Shell joint venture to produce biodiesel from algae – A global map for figuring out where to grow biofuel crops – Indonesia is probably the worst place in the world to grow biofuel crops, according to David Lobell, who is part of a project to determine good and bad places in the world to grow fuel crops. read article here
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Things are looking up for lowly sea algae. – Fuels giant Royal Dutch Shell and HR Biopetroleum on Wednesday announced the creation of a joint venture called Cellana to make biodiesel from algae in Hawaii. read article here
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Cape Verde: Government and Geocapital set up biofuel Research Centre – Praia, Cape Verde, 18 May – Cape Verde will this year have an International Centre for Scientific Research and Development of Technologies focused on biofuels under the terms of an agreement signed Friday in Praia by the Cape Verdean government and by company Geocapital – Investimentos Estratégicos read article here
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Hailed as a miracle biofuel, jatropha falls short of hype -The scrubby jatropha tree has been touted as a wonder biofuel with unlimited potential. But questions are now emerging as to whether widespread jatropha cultivation is really feasible or whether it will simply displace badly needed food crops in the developing world. By Jon R. Luoma of Yale Environment 360, part of Guardian Environment Network read article here
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Why Ghana is attracting investments in biofuels – Ghana has become a major centre of attraction for the cultivation of biofuels in Africa for a number of reasons, even though some of these reasons are hard to tell. . read article here
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Japan invests $73,948 for biofuel production in Ghana -The Japanese government has signed a $73,948 deal with the Ohayo Ghana Foundation, an NGO, for the construction of a Jatropha oil press factory at Puriya in the Yendi District for the production of biodiesel. read article here
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PNOC unit revs up jatropha plantation – While jatropha-extracted biodiesel has yet to make its way into market, state-run affiliate Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation (PAFC) is flexing its muscles to rev up its ventures into plantation of the feedstock. read article here
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Jatropha can augment income of rural families – LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Rural families can increase their income by growing jatropha, a biofuel plant, according to a study done by the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR). The research is one of initial studies done to establish the scientific basis for the production of the shrub long used by many Filipinos as a mere “fence plant.” When jatropha shot into the limelight a few years back in view of the recurrent energy crisis, some members of the science community cautioned against the “mad rush” for its production. read article here
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Jatropha planting in Bataan town successful -PILAR, Bataan — Mayor Charlie Pizarro has revealed that the planting of 500 hectares of Jatropha Curcasas, an alternate source for bio diesel, has been very successful in this town as he invited more investors to further develop the industry. Pizarro said the jatropha planting has generated jobs for his constituents and came at a time when the world is facing an economic crisis. The planting of jatropha, Pizarro said, is a joint undertaking by the Philippine Forest Corp., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Municipality of Pilar. read article here
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Sirona begins Jatropha planting operations in Haiti – HAITI: Alternative fuels company Sirona Fuels has begun Jatropha planting operations in Haiti over the past month in a joint venture with 3C Missions, an organization that has established a relief fund for over 1,100 orphaned children in Haiti. read article here
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SG Biofuels opens Jatropha Genetic Resource Center – SAN DIEGO, CALIF.: SG Biofuels has opened Jatropha Genetic Resource Center (GRC) to further accelerate profitable, large-scale production of Jatropha as a low-cost, sustainable source of feedstock for biofuel.
With research sites in San Diego and several Latin American countries, SG Biofuels and its GRC claim to possess the largest, most genetically diverse library of Jatropha genetic material in the world. The GRC will help the company’s efforts to drive genetic improvements that will enhance yield, improve agronomic practices and broaden the effective growing range of the subtropical crop, which results in no direct or indirect land use changes. read article here
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Sirona claims its jatropha biodiesel sets new precedents – SAN FRANCISCO: Biodiesel company Sirona Fuels claims that a Sirona batch of B100 fuel refined from jatropha oil has tested among the very highest quality biodiesel fuels in the nation and set numerous historic precedents for the state of California.
CytoCulture International Inc., the environmental biotechnology firm that conducted the tests, reported that Sirona’s Total Free and Bound Glycerin concentration was measured at 0.052 percent, nearly five times lower than the ASTM maximum limit of 0.24 percent. These results are also three times lower than the national average concentration of total glycerin reported by the 2007 survey of 56 samples of B100 from production plants in the U.S. conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. read article here
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Viridas gets 10-year jatropha deal from INEOS – SAO PAULO: Viridas Enterprises Brazil Ltd. has secured a 10-year deal with INEOS Enterprises for the supply of jatropha oil to be used in biodiesel production. Viridas will supply up to 60,000 tonnes (66,000 tons) a year of jatropha . The selling price is based on an agreed formula and with Viridas having the right to sell the jatropha oil in the market in certain circumstances, once obligations to INEOS Enterprises have been met. Under the agreement, INEOS Enterprises may exercise a break clause two years after commencement of commercial levels of production. Viridas is now reviewing options to finance the initial stage of its plan to purchase, plant and manage 30,000 hectares (74,132 acres) of jatropha crop in Brazil, with a view to commercial levels of production of jatropha oil coming on stream in 2013. read article here
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Chevron funds jatropha study in California – HOLTVILLE, CALIF.: A trial jatropha plantation funded by Chevron will see the transplanting of jatropha seeds this spring into an acre parcel at the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center (DREC) in Holtville, Calif. “I think jatropha would be ideal for this area,” said Sham Goyal, University of California (UC), Davis agronomist, and a member of the university’s jatropha research team. “A realistic estimate is an acre of jatropha could produce from 500 to 600 gallons of biodiesel per acre per year. If you’re paying US$5 per gallon for diesel, that’s about US$2,500 per acre of gross return.” read article here
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NOCZIM seeks contract farmers to grow jatropha – HARARE: The National Oil Co. of Zimbabwe (NOCZIM) is recruiting contract farmers to cultivate jatropha to support the country’s biodiesel production. NOCZIM pledged to provide farmers with cuttings to set up short-term yielding plantations from September to November 2008. Farmers with the capacity of preparing at least five hectares of land are eligible to apply for the programme. The programme will assist the farmers to set up the plantations. read article here
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Why Ghana is attracting investments in biofuels, Ghana Business News: “Ghana has become a major centre of attraction for the cultivation of biofuels in Africa for a number of reasons,” including agricultural productivity, political stability and labor costs. “Currently, the country features prominently on the radar of alternative energy interests, especially in the cultivation of the non-food plant jatropha for the production of biofuels.”
“[C]ompanies from Brazil, Italy, Norway, Israel, China, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and India” have invested in projects in “the Volta, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern and the Northern regions of Ghana,” mainly for jatropha. “While its supporters argue that [jatropha] can be grown on semi-arid land and so poses less of a threat to food output than other biofuel feedstocks such as grains and vegetable oils, its opponents argue that investors are taking away productive agriculture land from poor local farmers for the purpose.”
“Currently, there is an ongoing debate, accusations and counter-accusations of land grabbing between NGOs, Action Aid and FoodSPAN on one hand and Rural Consult, a consultancy firm on biofuels on the other.”[1]
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The Blunder Crop: a Biofuels Digest special report on jatropha biofuels development, by Biofuels Digest: SG Biofuels, Mission New Energy and GEM are being successful in developing jatropha projects, but “[w]ell-organized efforts are in the minority. More typical: back-of-the-comic book jatropha seed and seedling marketers that prey on the hopes and fears of cash-strapped farmers; the farcical disaster that has developed in Myanmar’s national biofuels project; and a number of non-profits (some well-organized, some dreamy) running around in Haiti trying to save the country from deforestation with projects as small as one designed to provide heat and power to a local bakery.”
“Jatropha is realizing less than half its projected yields in most projects, and less than a third of optimistic estimates that led jatropha to be labeled ‘the wonder crop’.”
“The problem? Countries like Myanmar that planned 8 million acres of jatropha and then forgot about harvesting technology, crushers, biodiesel processing or anything approaching a distribution system. The Result? Jatropha seeds rotting in Myanmar’s fields. The cure? Getting back to sound planning, extensive soil testing, and excellence in project management.”[2]
This article provides detailed information about jatropha-related projects in China, Africa, India, Myanmar, and Haiti.
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Toxic jatropha shrub fuels Mexico’s biodiesel push, by Reuters: Jatropha “is a hearty shrub that grows with no special care. Its oil-rich seeds are being eyed as an attractive feed stock for biofuel since the poisonous plant does not compete with food crops.”"Now India is planting the bush en masse, converting it into a green energy source used to power trains and buses with less pollution than crude oil. Mexico hopes to follow suit.”
“President Felipe Calderon signed an agreement with the president of Colombia in January to build a 14.5 million peso ($936,000) experimental biodiesel plant in southern Mexico with a production capacity of 12,000 liters (3,170 gallons) of biofuel a day.”
“Mexico passed a law last year to push developing biofuels that don’t threaten food security and the agriculture ministry has since identified some 2.6 million hectares (6.4 million acres) of land with a high potential to produce jatropha.”[3]
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Continental to Test Flight Powered by Biofuel, by MSNBC:
“Continental Airlines Inc. said Monday it will test the use of a biofuel blend to power one of its jetliners on a flight that won’t carry any passengers.”
“Airlines are studying the use of alternative fuels to help deal with volatile jet fuel prices that spiked to record highs this summer, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.”
“Continental said the plane on the Jan. 7 flight in Houston will use a special blend of half conventional fuel and half biofuel with ingredients derived from algae and jatropha plants.” [4]
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Boeing, Virgin join group committed to biofuel for commercial jets, by WBCSD/ENN: “Boeing joined Virgin Atlantic Airways and eight other airlines this morning to pledge to speed up the development of sustainable, second-generation biofuels for use in the commercial aviation industry.”
“The group has announced two initial sustainability research projects to judge the viability of two leading contenders for biomass-based renewable jet fuel: Jatropha curcas and algae.”[5]
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Air NZ sees biofuel salvation in jatropha, by Carbonpositive: “In the race to develop a viable aviation biofuel, Air New Zealand and Boeing are banking on the jatropha plant to deliver the cost-effective, green alternative they need.”…”The airline has announced a goal to supply 10 per cent of its aviation fuel needs from biofuels by 2013.”
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Myanmar biofuel drive deepens food shortage , by AFP: “Myanmar is struggling to feed its people in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis — in part because the regime has been forcing some farmers to stop growing rice in a plan to produce biofuel instead.”
In 2005 the military government’s leader Than Shwe ordered a national drive to plant jatropha, a poisonous nut he hoped would be the cornerstone of a state industry that would capitalise on growing world demand for biofuels.
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JatrophaWorld 2008 – Global Jatropha Industry Platform for latest Information on Jatropha, Over 350 delegates from 40 countries were at JatrophaWorld 2008 in Jakarta, Indonesia on 23-24 January. A panel of internationally acclaimed experts delivered insightful speeches on Jatropha plantation management, project finance, agronomy, Carbon trading, CDM financing, and applications of Jatropha and Jatropha by products. The second conference in the JatrophaWorld 2008 series will be held in Miami on 10-11 June 2008.
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India to unveil bio-fuel policy in March , by Sify business, reports that India’s government plans to issue a policy on biofuels in early March, which could boost plantings of jatropha. Sources say that India has thirty million hectares of unused land that is suitable for jatropha and other crops for biofuels.
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Trees for Clean Energy Project: Kenyan farmers to benefit from biofuels in semi-arid zones, 7 November from Biopact, 950 small farmers are learning how to cultivate jatropha as a new economic opportunity.
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Centre for jatropha promotion & biodiesel announces biodiesel distance training program, The distance training program will apply a learning by seeing approach and allow people who are trying to start a jatropha growing business to learn how through their computer.
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Oils to build China’s first jatropha biodiesel plant in Guangxi, D1 Oils is planning to invest 500 million to 700 million yuan (US$65.5 to US$ 91.8 million) to build a biodiesel refinery in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, with jatropha as the planned feedstock.
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India plans new biofuel mission, from Monstersandcritics.com. India is planning a new biofuel plan with a focus on jatropha and karanj. The first phase would cover 400,000 ha and the second 11.2 million ha of land. There are challenges to implementation, including the reluctance of farmers to invest in a crop like jatropha that doesn’t yield seeds until the third year.
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China plans to plant an area the size of England with biofuel trees from China Daily. China will plant 13 million hectares, an area the size of England, with jatropha trees to produce oil amounting to nearly 6 million tons of biodiesel every year. The jatropha trees can also provide wood fuel for a power plant with an installed capacity of 12 million kilowatts, will account for 30% of the country’s renewable energy by 2010.
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$8.5m UN/Chinese programme to develop biofuel production in western China – from Biofuelreview.com. The US$ 8.585 million project, established by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China and the Chinese government, aims to use green technologies to reduce poverty and improve fragile ecosystems among ethnic minorities in western China, where the number of the total poor is growing. Entitled “Green Poverty Reduction in China”, it aims to create a market for the oil-rich seed of the Jatropha curcas L. tree, which grows wild in the mountainous regions of western China and is currently used on farms as hedging and to prevent desertification. Jatropha’s wide-spread cultivation would hopefully lead to more fertile land in an area where soil erosion and aridity create difficulties for agriculture and the ecosystem.
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Philippine’s biofuels project gets P$1 billion funding from the Manila Standard. “A P1-billion fund has been earmarked for the development of the biofuel industry, using jatropha (tubang bakod) as a fuel source. The Philippine National Oil Company Petrochemicals Corp. and the National Development Co. will each contribute P500 million to the project”
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Tanzania begins biofuel production from Biopact. “Sun Biofuel Tanzania Limited (SBF) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dar es Salaam and Kisarawe district authorities for the production of bio-fuel” from jatropha curcas (locally known as mkaranga), planted on 18, 000 hectares of land.
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Comparing the Effect of Palm and Jatropha Biodiesel in a Diesel Engine, from greencarcongress.com. “Researchers at Indonesia’s Institut Teknologi Bandung have compared the effects and performance of biodiesel fuels derived from two different feedstocks of importance to that country—palm oil and jatropha—in a direct-injection diesel engine.”
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Myanmar leapfrogs to oil independence through biofuels program – questions about human rights remain from Biopact. “Myanmar (Burma), which is governed by a ruthless military junta, hopes to replace all of its 40,000 barrels per day of conventional oil imports with a homegrown nut oil (jatropha) within three years. Jatropha cultivation is highly labor intensive and it is feared that Burma’s government may use forced labor once again in establishing and operating the plantations.”
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Terasol LABS and SEBRAE-CE Partner To Introduce New Biodiesel Feedstocks. from Renewable Energy Access.com Terasol LABS, a plant biotechnology company focused on the development of Jatropha curcas, Castor and other biodiesel crops, and SEBRAE-CE, the Brazilian Government’s Office of Support for Micro and Small Enterprises, announced a partnership to develop test plantations in Ceara, Brazil. Mali’s Farmers Discover a Weed’s Potential Power
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KOULIKORO, Mali — When Suleiman Diarra Banani’s brother said that the poisonous black seeds dropping from the seemingly worthless weed that had grown around his family farm for decades could be used to run a generator, or even a car, Mr. Banani did not believe him. When he suggested that they intersperse the plant, until now used as a natural fence between rows of their regular crops — edible millet, peanuts, corn and beans — he thought his older brother, Dadjo, was crazy. read article here
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Japan Airlines Joins the Biofuels Race – Biofuels continue to make strides as an experimental aircraft fuel. Japan Airlines today successfully tested a blend of fuel including camelina, jatropha and algae in one of the four engines on a Boeing 747-300 aircraft. The flight, which took off from Tokyo’s Haneda airport, was the first such test on a commercial aircraft in Asia, and followed a similar test by Continental Airlines in Houston earlier this month. read article here
