This undemanding tree is extremely drought resistant and can grow almost anywhere.
Because of its few demands on the environment, Jatropha is used to stabilize soils in marginal sites.
The dense, wide-ranging root structure protects the soil against erosion and serves as a nutrient pump.
The by-products of Jatropha biofuel production such as the seedcake are used to make high value manure to improve poor soil conditions.
Jatropha therefore stops desertification and enables the cultivation of previously eroded soils.
In the long term, these soils can be used for food production.
This enlargement of agricultural land could have a highly positive impact on the world food crisis by enabling farmers to produce more.
