Jatropha - As a Diesel substitude

The potential of Jatropha oil as a diesel substitute has already been recognized by Indian scientists, and several landowners in India have even started plantations of this tree. It is however still a very low yielding wild plant, yielding on an average about 200 to 500 kg seed per acre. In fact, this is true of most of the oil-bearing tree species in India. Most of them do not yield more than about 100 to 250 kg of oil per acre. The species of oil-bearing plants that are raised as field crops have been subjected to intense plant breeding input, and therefore yield at least four times as much oil. I agree that Jatropha is a plant that can survive under adverse conditions, but under poor agronomic conditions, the yield would be even lower. And there are many other species, that would give more money per unit area than Jatropha, even on waste land.
The oil plant Jatropha curcas (L) (Jatropha) or physic nut is a multipurpose and drought resistant large shrub or small tree. Although a native of tropical America, it now thrives throughout Africa and Asia. It grows in a number of climatic zones in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and can be grown in areas of low rainfall and problematical sites. Jatropha is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and is hardy. Being drought tolerant, it can be used to reclaim eroded areas, be grown as a boundary fence or live hedge in the arid/semi-arid areas.
The wood and fruit of Jatropha can be used for numerous purposes including fuel. The seeds of Jatropha contains (. 50% by weight) viscous oil, which can be used for manufacture of candles and soap, in the cosmetics industry, for cooking and lighting by itself or as a diesel/paraffin substitute or extender. This latter use has important implications for meeting the demand for rural energy services and also exploring practical substitutes for fossil fuels to counter greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere.
These characteristics along with its versatility make it of vital importance to developing countries subjected to decreasing tree cover and soil fertility because of increasing population and development pressures. Nearly half the world’s poorest people live on marginal lands with the number expected to increase from 500 million to 800 million by 2020. These areas are by definition isolated and fragile, with soils susceptible to erosion and subjected to environmental stresses of deforestation, prolonged droughts, and decreasing soil and ground water. Although southern Africa is rich in biodiversity and production potential, large areas are under semiarid and arid conditions with a moderate-to-high risk of drought. Plants species like Jatropha that can grow on lands not usually attractive for agriculture and supply raw material for industry, fuels for basic energy services and improve environment are therefore an obvious choice that needs to be assessed carefully and comprehensively.

Castor oil export crosses 3 lakh tonne in 2008-09

The Financial Express

New Delhi, 5 May 2009

Castor oil export crosses 3 lakh tonne in 2008-09

At the time when the country’s overall growth of export started showing negative trend in some agri-commodities due to the impact of global economic crisis, export of castor oil has not only buck the trend but also registered a significant growth of 74% during the fiscal year 2008-09. Annual exports were below 2 lakh tonne over the past five years. Castor oil is the substitute of petroleum products. For the first time in the recent years, the total export of castor oil has crossed 3 lakh tonne mark in financial year 2008-09. Total export increased to 3.08 lakh tonne in 2008-09 from 1.76 lakh tonnes in 2007-08, up by 74% thanks to good buying from China . “There are some enquires from China . I think the country exports about 8,000 tonne castor oil per month to China as Chinese buyers prefers small lots in containers,” said Wamanbhai Udeshi, director, Jayant Agro-Organics, a leading exporter of castor oil products. “Shippers are offering castor oil around $1,020-1,030 per tonne (C&F basis) ex-Kandla for next month shipment,” a local broker said. The country has so far exported about 75,000 tonne of castor oil till April during the current calendar year as fresh arrivals of new crop started in last January. Daily arrivals reached to one lakh bags (each of 75 kgs). Traders expect export demand to continue from China . However, there are some enquiries from Europe and the US but hardly any major deals heard, sources said. The country expects 10.5-11 lakh tonne of castor seed crop for the current season. Of which, about 2.5 lakh tonne have already arrived in the major market yards of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Shippers and stockists are major buyers in the market as they feel prices to remain firm over the next few days, a broker said. Castorseed May contracts on NCDEX platform were up Rs 14-15 to trade at Rs 501 per 10 kg on Monday on continued buying support.