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Baccalaureate Oral Exam 2009: Series A4-A5 

Africa's New Energy Source

The article referring to Jatropha curcas as the Cinderella plant (Feb. 19) is timely and interesting. Here are some additional facts about this plant. It could be readily propagated from stem cuttings which come to bear much earlier than the ones raised from seeds. In addition to harvesting and using its seeds to produce oil, we could use it to fight desertification in dry areas and as a support for vanilla vines in humid regions. Unlike corn and sugar cane, which are used for ethanol production, Jatropha requires minimal upkeep and does not require yearly planting, as it is a perennial and could survive up to 50 years with one planting. The absence of pests and diseases is another advantage. And "cake" produced as a byproduct after oil extraction is an excellent fertilizer for vegetable and fruit crops. Because it is a tropical plant, it is a boon that will lift the livelihoods of poor people in Africa and Asia.
The European Union has been forced to assist these poor countries to obtain environmentally safe bio-fuel that can be used in motor vehicles by 2010. Above all, Jatropha may be able to achieve democratization of many countries in the world by reducing the price of fossil fuel - a dream of many and a failure of a few who tried to achieve this by force.

R. Muniappon, Newsweek, April 16-23, 2007 p.17.