Zimbabwe on jatropha drive
The government of Zimbabwe plans to construct biofuel plants in all its 10 provinces by 2010. Under the plan, massive jatropha plantations will be initiated after January 2008. "The plant grows well in dry areas such as Matabeleland South and Masvingo. This means, it can be grown in other parts of the country as well,' says the minister of science and technology, Olivia Muchena. The plant will also produce 1,500 by-products to substitute commodities like lubricants and soap, which the country imports.