Jatropha is a perennial shrub that belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. The plant grows upto a height of 3-5m, but it can also reach heights of upto 8m under favourable conditions. It is recognized as a bioenergy crop in Mexico, Central America, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Paraguay. It is raised on land unsuited to agriculture containing oil content in the seeds 35% with minimal irrigation and management. These characteristics have led to the scale-up of Jatropha plantations among millions of marginal farmers and landless people across India through attractive schemes. It is...