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Assessment of benefits and risks of growing Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) as a biofuel crop in sub-Saharan Africa: a contribution to agronomic and socio-economic policies

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Abstract

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the main goals behind the development of a biofuel industry are employment creation and income generation. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) has emerged as a candidate for biodiesel production. It is a non-edible oil producing, drought-resistant plant that can be grown on marginal land with limited water and low soil fertility. However, these are also attributes that typify weedy and invasive plant species. Adding to these concerns are the general questioning of whether biofuel production will reduce Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally. Currently, there is limited information on the potential invasiveness of many biofuel crops, and in particular, the potential risks of cultivating Jatropha. This paper aims to assess the benefits and risks, especially risks, of growing Jatropha for biodiesel production. Jatropha should be screened through a science-based risk-assessment procedure to predict the risk of becoming invasive before it is released for large-scale commercial cultivation. The net GHG savings can be achieved through the cultivation of Jatropha, considering two main factors: no land-use change and crop management without chemical fertilization.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Government of Botswana and Japan. Finally, we would like to thank Mrs Frances Murray-Hudson for editing the first draft of this manuscript.

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  1. Okavango Research Institute, University of Botswana, Private Bag 285, Maun, Botswana

    Keotshephile Kashe, Donald L. Kgathi, Mike Murray-Hudson & Kelebogile B. Mfundisi

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  1. Keotshephile Kashe
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  2. Donald L. Kgathi
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  3. Mike Murray-Hudson
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  4. Kelebogile B. Mfundisi
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Correspondence to Keotshephile Kashe.

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Corresponding editor: Tao Xu.

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Kashe, K., Kgathi, D.L., Murray-Hudson, M. et al. Assessment of benefits and risks of growing Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) as a biofuel crop in sub-Saharan Africa: a contribution to agronomic and socio-economic policies. J. For. Res. 29, 1–12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-017-0460-1

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