A report published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN-FAO) says that the cultivation of Jatropha for biofuel use, can benefit farmers in semi-arid and remote areas of many developing countries. Interest in Jatropha oil as a biodiesel feedstock was a consequence of "its perceived ability to grow in semi-arid regions with low nutrient requirements and little care". While the oil (extracted from the seeds) is usually processed chemically into biodiesel, it could also be used directly in "adapted" diesel engines, and for heating/cooking purposes. According to the report, "Jatropha biofuel production could be a beneficial opportunity to learn and adopt alternative farming strategies, alternative livelihood options and a mitigating measure in the increasing environmental degradation". Jatropha cultivation in remotely marginalized areas is also seen to benefit village women: (1) jatropha-powered milling machines can reduce the amount of tedious work that they do, (2) the substitution of biomass (i.e. wood) cooking fuel with jatropha oil may result in healthier environment (i.e., smoke-free burning) and divert "wood-gathering" time of the women to more productive activities. The UN-FAO report also says, however, that crop improvement activities on Jatropha have been little. Much could be done if research support could be channeled for the improvement of Jatropha as a bioenergy crop in the following aspects: higher seed yields, higher oil content, better oil quality, and reduced toxicity of the seed cake. The full report can be accessed at the UN-FAO website (URL above).