Jatropha: The "Miracle" Crop That Has Failed to Deliver

Five years ago scientists reported that they had found a "miracle" biofuel (named jatropha) that was resistant to drought and pests and could grow on land unsuitable for food production. However, a new report shows that the developing countries that farm jatropha have suffered increased poverty. Since many poor communities lack the infrastructure to process the oil from the plant, the venture has proved to be commercially unsustainable. Farmers of jatropha are often left with excess crop that they cannot sell or eat and - since they have given up land once used to grow vegetables - are left even more food insecure...More