Jatropha is another plant which delivers excellent quality and
yields of bio oil for
power generation and/or as feedstock for biodiesel production. However, currently
proven yields of Jatropha are still lower than with palm oils, but are expected to
significantly increase in the near future as agricultural technologies will improve and
high-yield crops are being developed.
To gain experience with Jatropha and to be able to asses the
real potential of this
crop, merapi has started in early 2006 planting Jatrophia in Lombok. Currently the
plantation size is about 200 hectars, which will be increased by another 500 hectars
until beginning of 2007. So far development of the crops and first yields are
promising, and merapi is planning to develop large scale Jatropha plantations in
Lombok, Sumbawa and/or Sumba Island.
