Jatropha integrated agroforestry systems - biodiesel pathways towards sustainable rural development

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.

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