Self reliance in energy is vital for the economic development of any nation. The alternate source of energy that is renewable, safe and non-polluting assumes top priority in view of the shrinking "Natural Fossil Fuel". More than 100 different tree bom oilseeds are available in India as well as in the world, which can be exploited for extraction of oil.

At present, increasing interest has been arising across the country towards the utility of non-edible oil from Jatropha, Sweet sorghum and Sugar beet for biofuels production. We believe that there are many scientists, farmers and NGOs involved in research on the major energy crops viz., Jatropha, Sweet sorghum and Sugar beet. Their main interest is to know the cultivation of crops, Bio-diesel and ethanol production. Although many people who talked about energy crops theoretically, but the practical exposure seems to be scanty. In this book, we are concerned with the practical exposure to the researchers, students and farmers. Our aim is to consider the theoretical principles and experimental results for better understanding and implications of changes in management of energy crops and bio fuel production.

The approaches are applicable in all climatic zones of India and similar countries. We try to draw the best examples, from a range of locations. Although our focus is pointed towards Jatropha and bio diesel production, we also emphasized the importance of Sweet sorghum and Sugar beet on cultivation as well as ethanol production.

This book can therefore be considered as a book on the application of practical knowledge in energy crops in general, but Jatropha and biodiesel production in particular.