Jatropha Biodiesel in Sabah, Malaysia

What is Jatropha? Jatropha is a plant that consists of 175 genuses of succulent plants, shrubs and trees. Jatropha is native to Central America and originating in the Caribbean. Its max height is only 4-5 meters height.

How does it produce fuel? Jatropha seed contains 40% of oil that can be used in standard engine. From the seeds of the non edible jatropha, oil can be squeezed out and be used as a component of bio-diesel. The seed of the jatropha will be processes on a seed grinder machine.

Is jatropha plantation is a waste of time and money? The answer is NO. There a lot of advantages of planting jatropha plant. The main advantages are it is making money. Based on study on a 2.4ha plot, a farmer could harvest some 31.25 tonnes of jatropha seeds annually which equal to 5,600.53 USD annually. Not only it’s fuelled the engine, but the jatropha plant is also fueling hope of poverty Sabah.. With jatropha, there is hope that Sabah’s rural poor can be fast tracked out from their hardcore poverty by providing job on the plantation.

The conclusion is, by planting jatropha plant, it’s not only the government who benefits it, but the people itself. To minimize amount of poor people in sabah, jatropha plantation is the best way to start.