Jatropha´s biodiesel in emerging countries: an alternative to regional development

Abstract

In this paper we investigate some of the causes that has been limiting the use of JCL (Jatropha curcas L.) to supply the biodiesel industry in a sustainable fashion. These barriers could be observed in a case study involving Brazil and India, countries with rapid economic growth in the last decade and that have policies already structured for biodiesel and research in progress with JCL. The findings indicated the need to survey the entire production chain, including agronomic and technological aspects. The possibility of bringing degraded lands into production as energy source opens up great interest in the farmer`s community with the attractive advantages from the social and family farming perspectives. It was concluded that the success of Jatropha in these countries is dependent upon the solution of problems, ranging from the characterization of the plantation areas to incentives policies for the parties involved, especially with the research advances towards the offer of new varieties.