Add 'Jatropha: the Biofuel that Bombed Seeks a Path To Redemption'
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<br>Earlier this century, jatropha was hailed as a "wonder" biofuel. An unassuming shrubby tree native to Central America, it was wildly promoted as a high-yielding, drought-tolerant biofuel feedstock that could grow on abject lands across Latin America, Africa and Asia.
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<br>A jatropha rush ensued, with more than 900,000 hectares (2.2 million acres) planted by 2008. But the bubble burst. Low yields caused plantation failures nearly everywhere. The aftermath of the jatropha crash was polluted by allegations of land grabbing, mismanagement, and overblown carbon reduction claims.
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<br>Today, some scientists continue pursuing the evasive promise of high-yielding jatropha. A comeback, they say, depends on splitting the yield problem and resolving the harmful land-use concerns intertwined with its .
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<br>The sole staying large jatropha plantation remains in Ghana. The plantation owner claims high-yield domesticated varieties have actually been attained and a brand-new boom is at hand. But even if this resurgence falters, the world's experience of jatropha holds important lessons for any appealing up-and-coming biofuel.
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At the beginning of the 21st century, [Jatropha curcas](https://www.businessnews.com.au/Company/Mission-NewEnergy), a simple shrub-like tree native to Central America, was planted throughout the world. The rush to jatropha was driven by its promise as a sustainable source of biofuel that could be grown on degraded, unfertile lands so as not to displace food crops. But inflated claims of high yields failed.<br>
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<br>Now, after years of research study and advancement, the sole staying large plantation concentrated on growing [jatropha curcas](https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0cqd_rb) is in Ghana. And Singapore-based jOil, which owns that plantation, declares the jatropha comeback is on.<br>
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<br>"All those companies that failed, adopted a plug-and-play design of searching for the wild varieties of jatropha. But to commercialize it, you require to domesticate it. This belongs of the process that was missed [throughout the boom]," jOil CEO Vasanth Subramanian informed Mongabay in an interview.<br>
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<br>Having found out from the errors of jatropha's past failures, he states the oily plant might yet play a crucial function as a liquid [biofuel](https://stocktwits.com/symbol/MNEL) feedstock, decreasing transportation carbon emissions at the global level. A brand-new boom could bring extra advantages, with jatropha likewise a prospective source of fertilizers and even bioplastics.<br>
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<br>But some scientists are hesitant, noting that jatropha has currently gone through one hype-and-fizzle cycle. They caution that if the plant is to reach full potential, then it is necessary to find out from past mistakes. During the very first boom, jatropha plantations were obstructed not just by bad yields, however by land grabbing, deforestation, and social issues in nations where it was planted, including Ghana, where jOil runs.<br>
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<br>Experts also suggest that jatropha's tale provides lessons for scientists and entrepreneurs exploring promising brand-new sources for liquid biofuels - which exist aplenty.<br>
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<br>Miracle shrub, significant bust<br>
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<br>Jatropha's early 21st-century appeal originated from its promise as a "second-generation" [biofuel](https://www.zonebourse.com/cours/action/MISSION-NEWENERGY-LIMITED-8557641/), which are sourced from grasses, trees and other plants not derived from edible crops such as maize, soy or oil palm. Among its numerous supposed virtues was a capability to flourish on degraded or "limited" lands
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