(UF/IFAS) is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida is a statewide organization dedicated to teaching, research and extension. Faculty is located in Gainesville and at 13 Research and Education centers and Extension Offices in each of the state’s 67 counties.

UF/IFAS is a partnership in food and agriculture, and natural and renewable resource research and education, funded by state, federal and local government, and by gifts and grants from individuals, foundations, government and industry.

Speaker Profile
Fitzroy B. Beckford (Roy) is the University of Florida Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent in Lee County, Florida. Roy Previously worked in Agricultural Extension in Jamaica and the British Virgin Islands for 14 years. Roy is the author of a book on Tropical Agricultural Development (The Third Pillar: Unearthing the Agro-economic Potential of the British Virgin Islands), and over 150 fact sheets and technical articles on agricultural production and management in the tropics, as well as on environmental and natural resources issues.

Roy has developed enormous expertise in natural resources and sustainability, and is currently conducting research on the establishment of Jatropha curcas as a viable biodiesel feedstock in South Florida.

JatrophaWorld 2008 Miami Speaker
Day 1 – Tuesday, June 10
09:30 COMPETITIVENESS OF JATROPHA, UTILIZATION ROUTES, AND ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Overview of Presentation
Jatropha curcas as a biodiesel feedstock significantly out yields soy and corn on a per acreage basis and has comparative advantage for commercial production in Florida. The Lee County Jatropha Project is currently conducting trials on small plots of Jatropha curcas to identify the basic agronomic factors favoring the development of a viable Jatropha curcas industry in South Florida. Initial data collection have revealed impacts by drought conditions, flooding, frost, diseases and pests; and supporting secondary data has identified a long existing Florida variety of Jatropha curcas with frost tolerance advantages as well as the absence of the toxic principle curcin.

The longevity of Jatropha curcas bears a direct advantage over competitive crops in the amount of inputs required, the returns on investment over time, and the potential for increased carbon sequestration as the tree/shrub matures. The potential for value added products from which other biofuels can be processed exists with Jatropha curcas and will have an impact on ecological benefits to be derived under South Florida conditions.

JatrophaWorld 2008 is a showcase of all the latest trends and shifts occurring in the Jatropha value chain, bringing together on a single platform, the best expertise to discuss and analyze the present and future dynamics of Jatropha from a technological and socio-economic angle. To find more about JatrophaWorld in Miami from June 9 to 11, 2008, please visit http://www.futureenergyevents.com/jatropha/.