Assessment of benefits and risks of growing Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) as a biofuel crop in sub-Saharan Africa: a contribution to agronomic and socio-economic policies

• Published in: Journal of forestry research 2018, Vol.29 (1), p.1-12
• Main Authors: Kashe, Keotshephile, Kgathi, Donald L., Murray-Hudson, Mike, Mfundisi, Kelebogile B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Agronomy; Air pollution; Air quality management; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass; Biomass energy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Crop management; Cultivation; Diesel; Drought resistance; Droughts; Economic conditions; Economic policy; Energy crops; Fertilization; Forestry; Fuel industry; Fuels; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Income generation; Invasive plants; Invasiveness; Jatropha; Jatropha curcas; Land use; Land use management; Life Sciences; Natural gas; Oils & fats; Plant species; Review Article; Risk assessment; Soil fertility; Soil water
• ISSN: 1007-662X; 1993-0607
• DOI: 10.1007/s11676-017-0460-1

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the main goals behind the development of a biofuel industry are employment creation and income generation. Jatropha ( Jatropha curcas L.) has emerged as a candidate for biodiesel production. It is a non-edible oil producing, drought-resistant plant that can be grown on marginal land with limited water and low soil fertility. However, these are also attributes that typify weedy and invasive plant species. Adding to these concerns are the general questioning of whether biofuel production will reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. Currently, there is limited information on the potential invasiveness of many biofuel crops, and in particular, the potential risks of cultivating Jatropha. This paper aims to assess the benefits and risks, especially risks, of growing Jatropha for biodiesel production. Jatropha should be screened through a science-based risk-assessment procedure to predict the risk of becoming invasive before it is released for large-scale commercial cultivation. The net GHG savings can be achieved through the cultivation of Jatropha, considering two main factors: no land-use change and crop management without chemical fertilization.