Jatropha: wonder crop? Experience from Swaziland

The report challenges the promotion of jatropha as a 'wonder crop' for biofuels, using evidence from Swaziland to argue that it may compete with food production, require significant water and chemical inputs, and offer marginal economic benefits to small-scale farmers. It highlights concerns over unfair contracting practices by D1 Oils and the lack of environmental risk assessments, concluding that jatropha is not a sustainable 'silver bullet' for meeting EU and UK biofuel targets.

• Contrary to claims that jatropha only grows on marginal land, evidence from Swaziland shows farmers converting high-quality food-producing land to jatropha cultivation under contract with D1 Oils.
• High oil yields for jatropha are unlikely on marginal land and are instead dependent on fertile, irrigated soil and inputs such as organic manure.
• Despite being marketed as suitable for semi-arid regions, jatropha in Swaziland has required frequent irrigation, creating competition for water needed for domestic use and food crops.
• Jatropha is identified as an invasive species and a noxious weed in several regions, including the US, South Africa, and Australia, with some warnings that its oil contains carcinogenic substances.
• The crop is susceptible to pests, fungi, and viruses, contradicting claims of resistance; farmers in Swaziland reported that D1 Oils refused to provide assistance with pesticides.
• The economic benefit for poor communities is questioned, with analysis suggesting jatropha provides marginal economic gains and is unlikely to be a mainstay of livelihoods.
• Farmers in Swaziland reported unfair contracting practices by D1 Oils, including signing contracts in English they could not understand and not receiving copies of the agreements.
• The goal of energy sovereignty for Swaziland is undermined by legislation that prevents the domestic distribution of biodiesel produced by D1 Oils, meaning the fuel must be exported.

APA

Burley, H., & Griffiths, H. (2009). Jatropha: wonder crop? Experience from Swaziland. Friends of the Earth International. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jatropha-Swaziland.pdf

Chicago

Burley, Helen, and Hannah Griffiths. Jatropha: wonder crop? Experience from Swaziland. Friends of the Earth International, 2009. https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jatropha-Swaziland.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Burley |first1=Helen |last2=Griffiths |first2=Hannah |title=Jatropha: wonder crop? Experience from Swaziland |publisher=Friends of the Earth International |date=May 2009 |url=https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jatropha-Swaziland.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{burley2009jatropha, author = {Burley, Helen and Griffiths, Hannah}, title = {{Jatropha: wonder crop? Experience from Swaziland}}, institution = {Friends of the Earth International}, year = {2009}, month = may, url = {https://www.foei.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Jatropha-Swaziland.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }