The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has identified first ever Jatropha variety, SDAUJ I (Chatrapati) for commercial cultivation. The seeds of promising Jatropha variety SDAUJ I (Chatrapati) contain higher oil content. The seeds contain 49.2 per cent oil and the non-edible protein in defatted seed case is 47.8 per cent. The variety SDAUJ I (Chatrapati) give higher yield compare to other local and popular varieties.

Farmer can get an average yield of 1000-1100 kg per ha under rainfed conditions. It is recommended for the semi-arid and arid regions of Gujrat and Rajasthan. It is drought resistance and can be raised successfully in areas where annual rainfall is 300-500mm. The plant attains a height up to 8 feet and shows resistant to all major pests.

SDAUJ I (Chatrapati) is developed by Sardarkrushinagar based Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (SDAU). The variety has been identified and recommended for release in Group Meet of All India Coordinated Research Project on Underutilised Crops held at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. At Regional Research Station, SDAU, crop improvement on Jatropha was initiated in late 90’s. Large number of collections was made from different part of India. These genotypes were evaluated in replicated trial and found that entry SDAUJ 1 (Chatrapati) performed well and recorded significantly highest yield over other local varieties. The oil analysis showed that the seeds of this genotype contain 47.8 per cent. The other parts of Jataropha i.e. leaves, roots and latex are also useful in traditional medicine. An alkaloid derived from Jatropha plant i.e. crucin shows anticancer properties.

Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) locally known as Ratanjot belongs to family Euphorbiaceae and shows resemblance with castor. In India about nine species are reported out of which Jatropha Curcus has economic value by virtue of oil present in its seed. The Govt. of India and Planning Commission are emphasizing on alternative fuels as a result the area under Jatropha is catching up. The oil finds many applications in various industries like soaps, illuminants and paints. With ever increasing demand and raising cost of fossil fuels, there is a need of alternative fuels. Out of 90 tree borne oil seeds, Jatropha is one of the important crop and it can be easily cultivated and not browsed by animals. Jatropha can be cultivated on any type of soils.