Posted: June 16, 2017
Mike Jacobson, professor of forest resources, says seeds from the croton tree could provide a good source of sustainable biofuel for east Africa.
Will croton ever become a global biofuel? It's doubtful, says Jacobson. But he adds that if local entrepreneurs persevere and oil prices go up again, this unlikely cash crop could make a real dent in east Africa's energy supply, "which alone is good enough."
Jacobson did a survey of subsistence farmers in five Kenyan counties, in dozens of villages, related to their willingness to plant croton trees and collect the nuts. His report encouraged the scaling up of the croton biofuel production.
--The Guardian, Jan. 19, 2017
Latest Issue
Features
So Long Spotted Lanternfly
Researchers devise creative ways to defeat a destructive pest.
Past Time For Change
In the wake of a series of racial hate crimes in the United States, Penn State and the College of Agricultural Sciences are elevating their commitment to providing an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported.
Course Change
Instructors in the college respond to the pandemic with new and improved ways of engaging with students.
