One of the greatest challenges to developing a dedicated energy crop is ensuring it is cost-effective, easy to sustain, produces significant oil yields, enhances ecology and does not compete with food crops.  We believe jatropha meets this challenge for the following reasons.

• Jatropha is a drought-resistant perennial that grows well in marginal/poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and it produces seeds for up to 50 years.

• Jatropha is not edible, but it can be used for medicinal purposes.

• Jatropha produces seeds with an oil content of about 35%.  The oil is extracted using a simple press. The press cake by-product is a good organic fertilizer.

• The extracted oil can be transformed into biodiesel fuel through esterification, a simple process with no dangerous by-products.

• Depending on soil and other conditions, one hectare of jatropha can produce in excess of 2,000 liters of oil each year.