Dryland crops are said to have the potential to contribute to the development of biofuels in developing countries, while uplifting the living condition of the dryland poor. In a recent message by Dr. William Dar, Director of ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics), dryland crops are mentioned as comparably cost competitive with conventional feedstocks (with respect to raw material cost) for biofuel production. They are excited about the potential of the dryland crop, sweet sorghum, for ethanol production. Dr. Dar mentions that sweet sorghum is an efficient fixer of the atmospheric carbon dioxide, requires less irrigation compared to sugarcane, and still packs in a high sugar content in the stalks (about 15% to 20%). ICRISAT is identifying high-sugar parent lines for hybrid breeding from their global germplasm collection. The hybrids could be grown year-round and smoothen out raw material supply problems. Private sector collaborations are being established so that the hybrids find their way to industrial applications.

ICRISAT is also interested in two dryland species whose fruits have a good oil yields for biodiesel production (about 35%): Jatropha curcas, a drought tolerant shrub adapted to well-drained wastelands, and Pongamia pinnata, a leguminous tree adapted to wastelands with problem soils. The vision is to have village level plantations of these crops to increase economic opportunities for the dryland poor. Genetic variability levels of these species in Asia and Africa is being explored to find varieties with higher oil content and increased income-earning potential..