Socio‐economic impact of <i>Jatropha</i> ‐based biofuel promotion on rural livelihoods in northern Tanzania

Abstract In recent years, global concerns have grown over the use of fossil fuels owing to their negative effects on global warming and climate change. Therefore, there is a need to promote biofuels as alternative renewable energy sources to help reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. However, the production of biofuel crops faces significant challenges, as expanding land for their cultivation has a direct effect on food security and the livelihoods of rural communities in developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of non‐food biofuel crops, specifically Jatropha , to improving rural livelihoods and assessing their impact on food security. A survey was conducted in northern Tanzania using an exploratory research design and a logical framework. Data were collected from various respondents at a single point in time through interviews, asset mapping, and document reviews. The results revealed that the introduction of Jatropha as a cash crop had no significant impact on rural livelihoods, as the five types of capital in the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (human, natural, social, physical, and financial) were not optimally utilized despite being available. The study also found that the cultivation of Jatropha has not compromised food security, contrary to concerns that biofuels could negatively affect food availability in developing countries. It can be concluded that cultivating Jatropha as a cash crop did not improve the livelihoods of rural communities, resulting in minimal engagement in its production. Therefore, further research should be conducted in different regions of Tanzania to explore ways to improve Jatropha productivity under optimal conditions and pricing.