Biodiesel Plants Idle Due to High Soy Prices
MINNESOTA - Richard Stadheim, a fourth-generation farmer, grows crops on about 3,200 acres in Albert Lea, Minnesota, writes Jonathan Starkey.

Initiatives to Improve Farming Community
THE PHILIPPINES - With the farming community now reeling from the regional crisis on the food wheat and grain front, farmers of the 4th district of Laguna were at least optimistic over...

Nigeria Uses Jatropha as a Source of Biofuels
NIGERIA - A short and hardy tree that Nigerians have used for centuries to demarcate farmland could be the way forward for biofuels, the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) said Wednesday,...

Malaysia & Indonesia Partner in Jatropha Industry
KUALA LUMPUR - According to Bernama, Malaysia and Indonesia are together venturing into the jatropha industry under the ambit of renewable energy, the Plantation Industries and Commodities...

New Report Reveals Biofuel Fiasco in Burma
MYANMAR - According to the Ethnic Community Development Forum, a draconian campaign by Burma’s military to grow eight million acres of the Jatropha curcas tree for biofuel production...

Philippine Government Bans Conversion of Agricultural Land to Other Uses
MANILA - The Philippines has taken measures to reduce the its reliance on imported oil, writes Karen Lema (Reuters).

LBC Funds Jatropha Plantation
THE PHILIPPINES - According to the Manila Bulletin, the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) has allocated a loan of P4.3 billion in order to fund the 100,000 hectare jatropha curcas...

Jatropha Fuelled Plant in Belgium
BELGIUM - According to Finnish engineering company, Wartsila, the world's first ever heat and power plant fuelled by jatropha oil will be in operation in Belgium by early 2009.

Jatropha Training to Be Held in India
RAJASTHAN - The Global Jatrophaworld Training 2008 - 2nd Global Jatropha Hi-Tech Agricultural Training Programme (JWTP) in India from July-14-18, 2008; shall provide an improved up-to-date...

Zubiri: "Oil-Producing Countries Should Modify Their Greed"
THE PHILIPPINES - Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri yesterday assured the public that the Biofuels Act will protect the food security program of the government following calls for the suspension...

Hybrid Jatropha to be Released Soon
INDIA - According to The Hindu, Vice-Chancellor C. Ramasamy has stated that the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University plans to release a hybrid variety of jatropha.

Wärtsilä Makes Use of Jatropha Oil
HELSINKI - Wärtsilä has secured an order for an engine-driven combined heat and power (CHP) plant that will run on the liquid biofuel, which is extracted from the seeds of the jatropha...

Taiwan: Government Likely to Abandon Biofuel Project
TAIPEI - According to the China Post, the incoming government of President-elect Ma Ying-jeou is expected to shift the existing policy of encouraging farmers to grow crops for production...

Zambian Farmers Encouraged to Plant Jatropha and Moringa
ZAMBIA - Development specialists in Zambia are encouraging farmers to plant trees – the Jatropha and Moringa - to help with their nutritional and even fuel needs, writes Sanday Chongo...

Viridas, INEOS Enterprises to Develop Sustainable Output of Jatropha
LONDON - Viridas Plc. said it entered into an exclusive strategic partnership with INEOS Enterprises to develop sustainable output of Jatropha, a perennial non-food oilseed used in...