Friends of the Earth | 21 January 2011

The much-touted biofuel crop jatropha is neither a profitable nor a sustainable investment, according to a new report released by Friends of the Earth International today. Jatropha: money doesn't grow on trees warns investors away from jatropha – a shrub planted for its oil-producing fruits and ability to survive in arid conditions – stating growing evidence that the crop is failing to deliver the promised high returns on investments.

The report reveals that the plant does not grow well on marginal land without significant amounts of water, fertilisers and pesticides, driving down profits and damaging the environment. The limited success of jatropha projects illustrate the plant's doubtful economic viability. Jatropha plantations have also been shown to fuel land grabs, displace farmers and communities, and compete with food production whilst failing to prevent climate change.

Download: 
http://www.foeeurope.org/download/jatropha_FoEIreport_Jan2011.pdf (Report)
www.foeeurope.org/download/jatropha_FoEIsummary_Jan2011.pdf (Summary)