It has been said many times before that we, as a race, should look for alternative energy sources. When it comes to diesel fuel, the world currently is relying mostly on gasoline and ethanol. However, there's a problem here because most of our ethanol resource come from corn plantations.

While most countries are still looking into this crop, (which we should have been using as a source for food if we may add) the farmers of China, Brazil, and India are trying to tap the potential of jatropha. Many experts believe that the plant is the most viable and promising source of biodiesel.

As a matter of fact, tens of thousands of acres for the cultivation of jatropha have been set aside in the above mentioned countries. China, for example, is planning to have 80,000 acres of jatropha plantation by 2010 in one province alone. However, Fuels from Agriculture in Communal Technology's (FACT) Kees Daey Ouwens in The Netherlands cautions,

Nations and corporations have acted rashly coming to the idea that it is the final answer for many problems. Jatropha is very promising. But there is not enough information to start on such large scales. If they are patient enough, they will find some buyers very soon, because the message is getting out.