Integrated assessment of biofuel production in arid lands: Jatropha cultivation on the island of Fuerteventura

This article discusses various policy alternatives for the implementation of a biofuel crop on an island scale. It adopts an integrated approach by carrying out Multi-Criteria Assessment, as well as using a Geographical Information System. The assessment is based on an interdisciplinary research project carried out by the University of La Laguna to evaluate the agricultural and chemical feasibilities, and the socio-economic implications of the cultivation of Jatropha as a source of biofuel on one of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura. A number of alternatives were analyzed for growing Jatropha, and the results suggest that the best alternative involves using Typic Torrifluents soil and irrigation with reclaimed Recycled Urban Wastewater at 75% evapotranspiration cover. At the same time, it was determined that a potential area of 2546 ha could be used for cultivation within a radius of 10 km from a Wastewater treatment plant. This level of production would supply 27.56% of the biofuel needs of Fuerteventura; thereby contributing to the 2020 target of the European Commission (EC) regarding biofuels for land transport.