BP to invest in Jatropha plantations in Swaziland

ACCORDING to The Swaziland Times, BP is leaping into the bio-fuels business in Swaziland -- an interesting development in the light of BP's recent withdrawal from the conventional fuels market in that country. Apparently, in a joint venture with a local company some US$160 million will be invested in the next five years for the development of Jatropha bio-diesel feedstock. The money will allegedly accelerate the planting of jatropha curcas which is a plant whose seeds contain oil and which can survive on marginal land. The newspaper quotes BP’s head of Refining and Marketing Business, Iain Conn , saying, “This joint venture is a further milestone in our strategy to develop real avenues to contribute to global energy supplies in ways that are sustainable and progressive. In the transportation sector, increased blending of bio-components offers one of the few real options for progress". Yes, well and no, fine. Hope you are right, Iain, old boy. But don't hold your breath. This is Africa and its people (particularly the Swazis) are deeply conservative, especially when it comes to matters agricultural.