Jatropha curcas originated in Central America and was introduced in India by the Portuguese. It adapted well to Indian conditions, including semiarid marginal sites. It can withstand drought by shedding most of its leaves to reduce transpiration loss. The fallen leaves add to the organic matter in the soil and improve its fertility.

It is distributed throughout West Bengal, it grows in wide range of soils (even gravelly, sandy, saline and rocky soils) and climatic conditions (from high temperatures to light frost). However, it cannot be grown on slopes exceeding 300, in highly alkaline soils (pH exceeding 9) or where the temperature falls below freezing point. It cannot withstand extended water logging.

It is a soft wooded shrub or small tree with whitish watery latex. Animals do not browse it. Seed yield varies from 2-3 Kg/ plant to 4-6 Kg/plant. The oil content in seed varies from 25 to 48%. On an average 3.28 kg of seed gives one liter of oil.

It has a low gestation period (2 years) for seed production compared to other non-edible oil bearing plants. Some varieties start yielding from first year onwards but the maximum production is reached in 3-5 years. The productive age of Jatropha is about 40 years.

As soon as the Biodiesel technology gained attention worldwide, many people began planting soy bean, palm, rapeseed etc to produce Biodiesel. But soon issues were raised on food supply shortage which has contributed to increase the prices of the crops. When we know that the food supply for the world is insufficient then how can we use palm oil, rape seed and soybean to produce Biodiesel? Hence, the world has now turned to a species of tree called Jatropha simply because it is non-edible plus it has high percentage of free fatty acids. Plants of this species are promising source of Biodiesel or in other words we can say that it is biofuel crop producing seeds with high oil content. Besides we need a perennial crop to reduce the re-plantation costs and that not only it can be used for producing Biodiesel but also it benefits in restoring the previously degraded and unfertile land.

Jatropha plant species is a promising source of Biodiesel or in other words we can say that it is a biofuel crop producing seeds with high oil content. Additionally, it can grow well for about 40 years and can even thrive on infertile soil.

1. Processed Jatropha oil (by transesterification) can be used as Biodiesel. It may be mixed with the petroleum diesel up to 20% and used in engines without having to make any change in them.
2. An important byproduct of processing of Jatropha oil for the production of Biodiesel by transesterification is glycerin. The sale of glycerin would reduce the cost of Biodiesel and make its use economically viable.
3. Jatropha seed cake is used as an organic fertilizer and biopesticide. De-oiled seed cake has a crude protein content of between 53% – 60% and a favorable amino acid profile. However, the seed cake is toxic due to phorbol esters, trypsin inhibitors, etc. It can provide a highly nutritious feed material after detoxification.
4. The cultivation of Jatropha would generate employment on a large scale in rural areas almost round the year including the lean seasons. The oil may be extracted in mobile oil presses in a decentralized manner.
5. Straight Jatropha oil can be used for purposes of lighting and lubrication.
6. Unrefined Jatropha oil (seed oil) is used for manufacturing candles, soaps, varnishes and lubricants.
7. Leaf and latex of Jatropha are used to treat wounds, ulcers, piles and skin diseases and as pest repellant. Jatropha is used in ayurvedic preparations for treatment of toothaches, gingivitis, skin infections and arthritis. Juice of the plant and oil are used as a drastic purgative. In santhal medicine, the plant is used in sores, dropsy, carbuncles, convulsions, cramps, neuralgia, pleurisy and pneumonia.
8. Latex dries up to a bright reddish brown color which is used as marking ink.
9. Stem bark contains tannins and produces dark blue dye which is used to dye cloth, fishing nets and lines.
   

Jatropha curcas is being propagated by seeds, cuttings and also by plant tissue culture technique.

Jatropha can be grown on low fertility, marginal, degraded, fallow, waste and other lands (e.g., land along canals, highways or railways, on the borders of farmers’ fields as a boundary fence) in different agro-climatic conditions, including semi-arid areas. It can also be planted around windmills in wind farms and around transmission towers below power transmission lines. Jatropha plant prevents soil erosion and shifting of sand dunes. It is not browsed on by animals.
 
Jatropha is propagated through seed and stem cuttings. Seedlings are grown in the nursery for three months and can be transplanted when 40 to 50 cm tall. Direct seedlings can be planted after good rainfall. However, the saplings cannot tolerate water logging. Saplings should be fully hardened in the nursery before transplanting. For propagation by cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings of 15 to 30 cm length and 1 to 3 cm diameter may be planted in polythene bags. Rooting occurs in 8 to 15 days with 80% success. Cuttings can also be directly planted in the field.  Flowers are pale yellowish-white and generally bloom between August to December. Fruits take 2 to 4 months to mature, when they turn yellow and are ready to be harvested. The fruits are picked, and the seed coats separated from seeds by hand. Seeds are sun-dried and used for oil extraction. We have grown Jatropha in our 1500 acre land which provides employment to the rural people. We do contract farming and we provide seeds and saplings of Jatropha.

So far castor is the best crop for intercropping with Jatropha. We have intercropped castor plant in between Jatropha plants which are planted in a 2m×2m dimension. Until that time Jatropha plants achieve their full maturity, i.e. in 2-3 years castor plants can be well grown around the former. As the crop can be cultivated in drought prone areas and needs a hot and humid climate, thus it can be grown as a cash crop on such lands. Castor seeds contain about 48-52% of oil rich in triglycerides (mainly ricinolein). It also contains a poison called ricin which makes it inedible. The oil is usually used for medicinal purposes, as lubricant, as a raw material for colors but in future it would be required as a raw material for manufacture of Biodiesel. This makes it yet another product for export to industrialized countries.