1 research outputs found
A Global Synthesis of Jatropha Cultivation: Insights into Land Use Change and Management Practices
Despite
setbacks, interest in Jatropha cultivation remains high.
This study addressed the question to what extent Jatropha cultivation
has replaced specific vegetation and land use types and how the existing
areas are managed. Major forms of land use change and management practices
were identified based on cluster analysis of data from 106 interviewee’s
responses to a comprehensive global survey. Of the 1.04 × 10<sup>6</sup> ha cultivated with Jatropha in 2011 40% were established
on land that was cleared of vegetation as a result of logging activities
unrelated to Jatropha cultivation, 34% was defined as unused, and
the remainder was attributable to areas previously used for crops
or animal husbandry. With the exception of croplands, these areas
were dominated (90–98%) by a few internationally active companies
whose cultivation models were almost exclusively based on outgrower
schemes. Management practices were largely extensive in nature (low
mechanical input and infrequent use of fertilizers, pesticides and
herbicides), and also dominated by large projects. Broad surveys,
such as this, are useful in identifying general trends in this emerging
global industry, but detailed case studies, particularly of large
projects, are needed in order to draw more informed conclusions about
the site-specific impacts of Jatropha cultivation