Message from Workshop Leader:
In our search for renewable energy sources, Jatropha curcas has been promoted as a bio-energy crop with huge potentials. The claims on Jatropha curcas are based on a number of positive traits and characteristics, each of them observed separately from the other and under different circumstances. Real numbers and scientifically sound publications are hardly found, and you may wonder why. In this workshop we will introduce you to a better understanding of the plant and we will address the claims and facts on Jatropha curcas through a plant physiological and production ecological approach. The workshop will help you to get realistic expectations of the crop as a renewable energy source.

Workshop Leader:

Dr. ir. R.E.E. (Raymond) Jongschaap
Team Leader, Global Jatropha Curcas Evaluation Program
Plant Research International
Wageningen University and Research Centre

Dr. ir R.E.E. (Raymond) Jongschaap is the Team Leader of the Global Jatropha curcas Evaluation Program (www.jatropha.wur.nl) at Plant Research International (www.pri.wur.nl), part of Wageningen University and Research centre (www.wur.nl) in the Netherlands. The evaluation programme generates scientifically sound information on Jatropha curcas by studying the genetic variability of Jatropha curcas in the world and relating that to local traits that are important for the sustainable crop (oil) production at small and at large scale.

Raymond Jongschaap's career in tropical crop science, integrated farming systems, soil science and dynamic simulation modeling is build upon the production ecological approach of C.T. de Wit. The production ecological approach explains the behaviour of ecological systems at higher integration levels by studying system processes at lower levels. His research group at Plant Research International focuses on Agrosystems research at different scales, from the sustainable production on plot level to (integrated) farming systems, from regional studies to global explorations, all based on the optimization of natural resources, such as water and nutrients. He is currently involved in the global debate on the production of Food, Feed and Fuel and the potentials of bio-energy with regards to limitations set by the availability of land and (natural) resources.