Sajiwan or Jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) is an oil-bearing perennial that can attain the dimensions of a small tree or large shrub and is distinguished by an ability to propagate vigorously from either seed or cutting, be resistant to drought and be tolerant of poor soil quality.

Sajiwan (translated as 'long life') can live up to 50 years and has many names and traditional uses throughout the country. It may be most familiar as a living fence around agricultural land or as a natural toothbrush or as a popular entertainment for children who delight in blowing bubbles from the sap. Climatic conditions are favourable for the cultivation of sajiwan in about 30% of the country so there is immense opportunity to encourage its cultivation. 

Jatropha seeds produce an oil that can be used for cooking, lighting or generating electricity, or mixed with petrol or diesel to produce a biofuel. Many see jatropha as a
lucrative crop for poor farmers, an environmentally-friendly alternative to fossil fuels that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and beneficial to wildlife.

The trees produce seeds for more than 30 years, and each mature tree produces between 5 and 15 kg of seeds three times a year. Farmers can extract the oil using a press and cars do not need to be modified to use the biofuel.

Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology RECAST has planted 40,000 cuttings, seeds of Jatropha curcas in 22.5 hectares of land in Tanahu District of Nepal.

External Links

• http://www.jatropha.org/
• http://www.jatropha.org/nepal/boswell-post.htm
• Nepal-UK Oil Seed Project
• http://www.jatrophaworld.org/