“It is concluded that there is little knowledge on important issues such as production costs and feasibility compared to other crops. In general, Jatropha requires common inputs such as nutrients, water and farm management, thereby competing with food and other crops. Furthermore, Jatropha is not immune to pests and fungi. Hence, it is not the promising biofuel crop it is said to be.”

There is also an evaluation, breeding and propagation programme for jatropha (2006-2010) carried out by Wageningen University and Research centre, Plant Research International, the Netherlands. Wageningen is a major European agricultural-origins university with programmes are in the field of economy& society, health, life sciences & technology, nature & environment, animals & plants.

http://www.jatropha.wur.nl

“Jatropha is still a wild crop needing domestication and fundamental knowledge for genetic, agronomic, processing and environmental characters and factors, in order to become a reliable and economic crop for smallholder farmers.” As such, in April 2008, there was an international consultation on pro-poor Jatropha Development organized by the United Nations Foundation, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, IFAD and FAO.

Access background papers and access many presentations here: http://www.ifad.org/events/jatropha

Happy Jatropha reading!