Jatropha curcas L. grows reasonably well in dry areas on degraded soils that are marginally suited for agriculture. The roots of the low-growing jatropha trees reach water deep in the soil. The surface roots assist in binding the soil and can reduce soil erosion.

Jatropha seeds can be processed into lesser polluting biodiesel than fossil diesel to provide light and cooking fuel for poor rural families. Seed cake, a by-product from this process may be valuable as fertilizer and animal feed after detoxification. Unlike other major biofuel crops, such as maize, jatropha is not used for food and it can be grown on marginal and degraded lands where food crops can not grow.