Jatropha Cultivation in the Marginal Lands of Andhra Pradesh: Its Feasibility and Effects on Farmers’ Livelihood

With high expectations regarding India's self-sufficient energy future, Jatropha curcas was introduced as a potential biofuel crop in Andhra Pradesh during National biofuel Mission. This study is from a survey conducted in Andhra Pradesh in 2010 regarding the cultivation of Jatropha on marginal lands of India. In this study, the effect of Jatropha cultivation in the marginal lands of Andhra Pradesh and its impact on the farmers’ livelihood is covered. It was understood that the plantations were not a success in Andhra Pradesh, and the farmers were not at all benefitted from the cultivation of Jatropha. A major reason for the failure was low yields from the plant giving rise to problems like loss of income from existing agricultural crops, increase in the poor farmers’ debt as well as loss of farmers’ income spent on maintenance of the plantations. From this study, it is proved that Jatropha was not a plant suitable for the marginal lands of Andhra Pradesh, and it had negative impact in the marginal farmer's livelihood.