When your vehicle runs out of fuel what do you do? Drive to nearest fuel station. But what if you drive to your kitchen garden or farmhouse instead. This could be a reality if you plant Jatropha in your garden. Jatropha seeds are a source for bio-diesel-an alternative for petroleum fuels.

Bio-diesel has been successfully used to fuel motor vehicles either in pure form or by diluting it with the conventional fuels. The experiments have been encouraging and its use is on gradual increase. Indian government is keen to tap the potential of the magical herb and make use of the large areas of waste land in the country. This does not only helps reduce the carbon emissions but also reduce dependence on oil imports that account for large share of our money. The bio-diesel that costs less than Rs 20 a litre is also a money saving alternative. Jatropha is also seen as an option to improve the conditions of rural people.

Jatropha, a perennial shrub, can grow on wasteland in drought like conditions and tolerate extremes. The shrub grows easily and lives for about 50 years producing seeds. The oil from Jatropha seed can be easily extracted and be ready for use. Huge refineries are not required. Every village, even cultivator, can have an extraction unit.

Jatropha is being promoted as an easily grown bio-fuel crop in hundreds of projects throughout India and the third world. Jatropha shrubs can be seen planted on both the sides of rail line between Mumbai and Delhi and some trains are also running on 15-20% bio-diesel mixture. If bio-diesel can be used as an alternative fuel successfully on large scale, India [and also other countries growing Jatropha] would be able to save huge amount of foreign reserves that can be subsequently used for development programmes for the benefit of the people.

Source: Groovygreen.com
Image Source:Daimlerchrysler.com74342