Researchers refuse to give up on jatropha for Botswana despite harsh climate

In Botswana, researchers have refused to give up on demonstrating the viability of jatropha despite suffering from frostbite, heat waves and hailstorms during the past four years. Indigenous plants morula, morama, and mongongo were included in the trials in addition to jatropha. The team of local and Japanese researchers have weathered through the disasters and developed various methods of the plants during harsh weather. This year, already 10% of the plants have fruit on them, compared to fruit only beginning to show in March last year. Hopes are for producing 25 liters of biodiesel from a one hectare trial plot this year.