Jatropha Tapped as Biofuel Source in Thailand

Jatropha, a plant that bears poisonous nut might hold the key to Thailand’s energy troubles. The deadly black nuts have caught the attention of scientists who say that it could help produce biodiesel. The nuts are more than 30 percent oil, which burns with a clear flame, producing a fraction of the emissions of traditional diesel. As a bonus, the oil can be used in simple diesel engines without refining, just by mixing it with fuel. "It will help villagers reduce their costs when they're farming their agricultural products," said Suwit, a former adviser to the agriculture ministry, who is trying to convince local villagers to use jatropha oil as fuel for their tractors as it is cheaper than normal diesel. But Thailand, like other countries in the region, faces a chicken-or-egg problem in promoting jatropha. Farmers are reluctant to grow it because there's no market for its use. But the government is reluctant to promote it because of the small supply, said Phichai Tinsuntisook, a businessman who heads the Renewable Energy Industry Club. Consequently, Thailand has only 20,000 acres planted with jatropha, mainly in the arid northeast and north.

For the press release visit http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/03/28/deadlynut_pla.html?category=earth&guid=20070328163030