Jatropha integrated agroforestry systems: biodiesel pathways towards sustainable rural development

TLDR: In this article, the potential social, economic and environmental risks and benefits of Jatropha curcas in agroforestry systems are discussed, and the potential impact on food supplies and the up-scaling possibilities are discussed.

Abstract: The current “Jatropha hype” attracts large-scale investments in the cultivation of Jatropha curcas. This will mainly result in an expansion of large-scale monoculture plantations of the species. Ironically, the problems associated with such monocultures – problems of economic, social and environmental sustainability, along with pests, diseases and potential hydrological consequences – threaten to dim the interest in the species. Therefore, alternative cultivation systems should be explored. Jatropha has potential to be integrated in diverse agroforestry systems, which in general offer better guarantees to become sustainable, as they aim at combining socio-economically viable production with environmental conservation. In this chapter, the different options to include Jatropha in agroforestry systems are described (e.g., boundary plantings, contour hedges, live fences, windbreaks, hedgerow intercropping, parkland and silvopastoral systems). Their potential social, economic and environmental risks and benefits are discussed. In particular land use changes related to Jatropha cultivation, their possible impact on food supplies and the up-scaling possibilities are focused upon. Based on this assessment, we provide clear guidelines for the expansion of Jatropha cultivation on a sound socio-economic and environmental basis.