Jatropha tree (seeds available, 250 riyals per kilogram), newly produced

Jatropha tree, which some like to call green petroleum or green gold, is a tropical tree native to South and Central America. It grows well in most types of soil, including desert and rocky soils. The Jatropha tree is highly drought-resistant and can also tolerate high salinity levels and sub-zero temperatures. It can be irrigated with treated wastewater or highly saline agricultural drainage water. The average lifespan of the tree is 50 years. Moreover, these trees do not require fertilization, soil reclamation, or large amounts of water. The Jatropha plant is characterized by its seed oil content, which ranges between 35% and 45%. It grows rapidly and begins bearing fruit after two years. The average annual seed production per tree is 15 kilograms, and it continues fruiting for approximately 50 years. Jatropha production per square kilometer yields about 2,000 barrels of Jatropha oil annually. Reports indicate that its advantages lie in its extraordinary ability to grow and spread rapidly in all agricultural environments. It withstands extreme drought conditions, making large-scale cultivation extremely easy even in dry deserts, arid lands, along roadsides, and on rocky terrain—areas unsuitable for traditional crop farming. It can be cultivated using treated sewage water, and studies suggest it can even be grown with saline agricultural drainage water. Since it does not require fertilization, it has earned the name "desert gold," and it is no surprise that countries around the world are competing to adopt it. One of the most important features of Jatropha is that its oil can be used to produce biofuel, which is currently considered a renewable source of clean energy alternative to petroleum. Jatropha is non-polluting, as its oil contains no sulfur dioxide or carbon monoxide. It is also safer during transportation and storage compared to flammable petroleum products, which require significant precautions. A 20% biodiesel blend (B20) can be used in all diesel engines and is compatible with most storage and distribution equipment, as blends of 20% or less do not require any engine modifications and can deliver the same performance level as regular diesel fuel. Every 3–4 kilograms of Jatropha seeds produce one liter of pure oil. The byproducts are used in soap manufacturing, meaning both the seeds and all plant residues can be fully utilized. Description of the Jatropha tree: Jatropha is typically cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and arid desert regions. It can be irrigated with rainwater or treated wastewater. The average lifespan of a Jatropha tree is 50 years. In addition to requiring no fertilization, land reclamation, or excessive water—needing no more than 250 mm of water annually—its cultivation is remarkably simple. Despite this simplicity, it offers significant economic, social, and developmental benefits. Jatropha curcas is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, reaching a height of 7–10 meters. The leaves are oval-shaped, five-lobed, entire (not toothed), 8.5 cm long and wide, with a petiole about 11 cm long. The flowers are greenish-yellow, with eight stamens fused together. The fruit is a capsule about 2.5 cm long, containing three black seeds (resembling castor seeds in appearance). Flowering occurs in April, and fruiting takes place in May. I wanted to share this post, noting that I previously published about this plant, but I'm reposting information about it because I spent two hours waiting in front of a gas station and started thinking about alternatives.