Jatropha is largely being perceived as one of the solutions to problems of poverty. With increasing international interest in this plant, the possibilities are exciting. Jatropha oil and Jatropha biodiesel can be used for rural electrification, transport, and for stationary engines for shaft power (like multi-functional platforms). Jatropha cultivation is said to be able to protect the environment, as it protects and upgrades degraded soils. In addition to this, the net carbon dioxide emissions from the Jatropha cycle are reportedly zero. Jatropha is now touted as a motor for economic development in rural areas and a tool to alleviate rural poverty by governments and Non-Governmental Organizations alike.

According to the United Nations, almost half of the world’s population lives on less than $2 a day. In the mean time, the developed and developing world’s energy needs have been expanding exponentially. The high cost and inaccessibility of fossil fuels, leaves approximately 2 billion people worldwide without reliable energy sources, without refrigeration, basic communication, heat, or even light.

Statistics show that two-thirds of the population in the developing world, where poverty is at its peak, derives their incomes from agriculture.

Put in this context, Jatropha has enormous potential to change their situation for the better.

Farmers have traditionally cultivated the Jatropha Curcas tree to contain livestock. They have also used the oil for lighting lamps and manufacturing medicinal soaps.

With the demand for Jatropha biodiesel, there will be increasingly widespread commercial cultivation of Jatropha.

Farmers could easily cultivate the tree, which reportedly produces five to six harvests of seeds annually from its third year. The tree is also reported to have a fifty year lifespan according Chinese officials, who have been working with the UNDP to launch “Green Poverty Reduction in China” a major project aimed a reducing poverty in China’s poorest in the Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunan provinces in southwest China.

There are many who believe that the cycle of poverty can be broken by Jatropha Cultivation, as this dedicated crop has a huge potential for replication world -wide, with the potential for improving the livelihood of many more of the world’s poorest.

At the community level, it is argued that farmers who produce dedicated energy crops can increase their incomes and grow their own supply of affordable and reliable energy for their own internal needs.

At the national level, cultivating biofuel crops will generate new industries, new technologies, new jobs and new markets.

At the same time, producing more biofuels will reduce energy expenditures and allow developing countries to put more of their resources into health, education and other services for their neediest citizens.

But this is all a very pretty picture that is still in the process of being realized.

If one scans the investments into Jatropha today, it is aimed at large commercial cultivation, as doubts prevail over the feasibility of small-scale Jatropha cultivation.

So, can Jatropha really end poverty?

With dedicated poverty reduction programs organized by governments and NGOs, the easy cultivability of Jatropha and increasing demand for Biodiesel, it seems that Jatropha can indeed be a viable solution to improve the standard of living of the world’s poorest.

However, this still remains an issue of debate, with detractors pointing out that Jatropha cannot be cultivated on a small scale and its yields are unstable. In addition to this, fears remain over the use of valuable water resources to ensure optimum yields from the Jatropha tree.

Discussion about the socio-economic impact on Jatropha will be on the agenda at JATROPHAWORLD 2008, a conference which brings together on a single platform, the best expertise to discuss and analyze the present and future dynamics of JATROPHA from a technological socio-economic angle.

At JATROPHAWORLD 2008, you will be able to engage our panel of experts in active debate and discussion about Jatropha’s potential to alleviate poverty, and weigh both the positive and negative impacts of widespread Jatropha Cultivation.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of this authoritative summit on Jatropha. Register for JATROPHAWORLD 2008 today