South African report finds jatropha does not have negative impact on water flow

In South Africa, the Water Research Commission has released a report, “Jatropha curcas in South Africa: An Assessment of its Water Use and Bio-Physical Potential.” The study found that “Jatropha curcas has been presented as a wonder-plant when, in reality, very little is known about it and actual large-scale success stories cannot be found. Care should be taken in promoting the wide-scale propagation of J. curcas.”

However, the study found that “From the water-use measurements and modelled impacts on water resources, it would appear that J. curcas is unlikely to have a negative impact on stream flow.  Water use does not seem to exceed that of the natural vegetation, which it might replace. From this evidence, J. curcas would not be eligible for declaration as a Stream Flow Reduction Activity.” The study can be downloaded here.

In Taiwan, the state oil company CPC said that it had commenced talks to plant jatropha in Indonesia or Cambodia between now and 2015. The oil concern said that it intends to plant up to 50,000 hectares of jatropha to reduce emissions and increase energy independence.

CPC also said that it may export jatropha biodiesel to Europe. The company had previously planted more than 3,000 jatropha trees in a Taiwan-based pilot program.

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