JATROPHA CURCAS UNDER ARID CONDITIONS IN SAHARAN AND SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Biofuels are becoming a priority in Europe, United States and also in many countries in Africa, especially in no-oil producing countries. The cultivation of feedstock for the production of biodiesel and power generation is “critical” because of possible conflicts with the food supply chain, exploitation of natural resources and energy costs in transportation. Among biofuel crops, there are some species that can give a significant contribution to sustainable development of biodiesel and electricity production. Efficient and integrated projects based on Jatropha curcas indicates good prospective for biofuel feedstock cultivation with sustainability criteria in Africa. Jatropha curcas is a tree native in Central America and distributed all around Africa in the tropical regions; it is well known as a promising biomass, as it grows in arid conditions and in semimarginal lands, it produces high quality feedstock (oil and seedcake), it generates significant local incomes from manual harvesting and maintenance and finally it does not compete with the international market of edible vegetable oils.