Jatropha as Bio-Diesel Shrub

Jatropha is not palm tree, which is largely planted in Malaysia for palm oil extraction. Jatropha is a poisonous Central American shrub. Its seeds are used to extract biodiesel fuel in Philippines, India, and China.

On Tuesday, crude oil broke the record surpassing $97 a barrel. Malaysia has been subsidizing the fuel costs. The increase of fuel price had been a big burden for Malaysia. In September, Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (Mardi) announced it is studying the possibilities to cultivate Jatropha at large-scale to produce bio-diesel. Jatropha is chosen because of its characteristic of pest resistance, long lifespan (40 years), can be grown on poor, arid soil, and also able to produce bio-diesel that can be used by vehicles. As a solution for alternative fuel, Malaysia government had fund this research for RM300mil (~USD100mil).

Last month, Sarawak Land Development Minister Datuk Dr James Masing announced that Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) was carrying out joint research on Jatropha with Mardi. Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Sclcra) had been asked by the state to test which species of the plant is suitable to grow in Sarawak. On the other hand, another state in the country, Sabah, also announced that Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB) was testing the potential of Jatropha cultivation.

Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui announced yesterday that Government is giving out 300-acre site to Sabah to plant Jatropha Carcus.

Other uses of Jatropha Curcas are soap production and traditional medicine. The effect of large-scale planting of Jatropha Curcas to the soil and environment is unknown.

Source: http://science.kukuchew.com/2007/11/07/jatropha-as-bio-diesel-shrub/