Biofuel is a fuel made from plants, seeds or any biological element. It aims to reduce the emissions of CO₂ generated by fossil fuels. The main components are corn, sugar cane and palm oil. Biofuels have become a priority for the EU and the US that have launched several projects to enhance production capabilities.

Despite the fever that surrounded biofuels last year, today many experts and environmental activists criticize them, mainly for two reasons. Firstly, it takes lot of energy to produce them, which means the reduction of carbon dioxide they can provide is at the end limited. Secondly, they are accused to be responsible of the price boom of these commodities. However, it would be foolish to condemn biofuels because they represent one of the few alternatives to fossil fuels. Moreover, Jatropha could provide a solution to the inner contradictions of biofuels. It is non eatable, grows on poor soils and do not need any water supply. Consequently the Jatropha do not compete with food production. Besides, Jatropha can produce more than four times as much fuel per hectare as soybean and more than ten times that of maize (corn). A hectare of jatropha produces 1,892 litres of fuel.