Abstract
Jatropha curcas has received great attention and national support by Mexican authorities interested in promoting cash crops to alleviate poverty and rural crises. Thus, several states have implemented programs to sponsor its cultivation and research. This paper analyzes the policies generated by the Mexican government to promote the establishment of Jatropha plantations for biofuel purposes. The supporting schemes, the state-of-the-art national research and the environmental implications of establishing this new crop were reviewed to assess their impact on small-scale producers that participated in these programs. Scientific research on native germplasm indicates the existence of great diversity in Mexico, including non-toxic ecotypes, from which highly productive varieties are being developed. However, when the plantation programs started, producers were not technically or economically prepared to face the risks associated with this new crop, nor was there a good internal supply-chain. Consequently, some programs have been abandoned and the low productivity and income generated by the plantations have not satisfied producer expectations. Thus, there is a need to review the national strategy to support this crop and to develop a well-structured biofuel market in the country for the success of Jatropha plantations in Mexico.
Highlights
Mexico is one of the 10 largest petroleum producers and exporters, there is an increased concern in the country for the future of national reserves, which have declined since 2000 [1], and for the environmental impacts from its excessive consumption, as the primary source of energy in Mexico is petroleum [2]
The SENER suggested that these biofuels could be used when blended with petroleum in the Mexican transportation system to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere
The cultivation of Jatropha would be useful for the agro-industry, and would help to rehabilitate soils and enhance the reforestation of deforested lands. It was feasible for the National Forest Commission (CONAFOR) (Comisión Nacional Forestal) to provide incentives for commercial plantations to use Jatropha [3]
Summary
Mexico is one of the 10 largest petroleum producers and exporters, there is an increased concern in the country for the future of national reserves, which have declined since 2000 [1], and for the environmental impacts from its excessive consumption, as the primary source of energy in Mexico is petroleum [2]. New initiatives have been considering the use of clean energy to supply national and international demands In this regard, in 2006, the Secretary of Energy (Secretaría de Energía.) (SENER) provided studies to determine the feasibility of producing bioethanol from the cultivation of sugarcane, sweet sorghum and cassava and biodiesel from rapeseed, soybean, Jatropha, sunflower and safflower [3]. This proposal was publicly announced in 2008 by President Felipe Calderón [4], and the “Law of Development and Promotion of Bioenergy” (Ley de Promoción y Desarrollo de los Bioenergéticos) was promoted in that year [5], together with the “Law for the Sustainable Use of Energy” (Ley para el Aprovechamiento Sustentable de la Energía) [6]. Both laws promote and regulate research and production of biomass for energy purposes without compromising food security
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