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
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 marg...
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Published in | 林业研究:英文版 Vol. 29; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12 |
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Main Author | |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
2018
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | 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 landuse change and crop management without chemical fertilization. |
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Bibliography: | Keotshephile Kashe;Donald L.Kgathi;Mike Murray-Hudson;Kelebogile B.Mfundisi;Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana Biofuel;Invasive;Jatropha;Risk 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 landuse change and crop management without chemical fertilization. 23-1409/S |
ISSN: | 1007-662X 1993-0607 |