Published: 04 June 2018

Government has revived the jatropha programme, which is critical in the fight against climate change, and is actively looking for a technical partner.

Jatropha, a drought resistant crop that tolerates high-moisture stress conditions and produces seeds for up to 30 years, is an ideal sustainable feedstock for producing biodiesel.

In Zimbabwe, the jatropha project was initially launched in 2005, but ran into problems in its infancy amid reports that the cost of extracting the biodiesel was higher than the eventual cost price.

But last year, indications were that biodiesel was being produced at US$0,78c, amid expectations that if improvements in processing were achieved, the production cost could recede to US$0,78c. Due to a surge in international oil prices, regular diesel was trading at US$1,29 per litre by last Friday, making a strong case for biodiesel production.
- The Sunday Mail

You might also want to read this

• Jatropha plant set for rebirth