摘要
Jatropha curcas （L） has gained popularity as a biodiesel plant to serve as an alternative fuel source and generate income to small landholders. From the Bioenergy policy of Ghana, the government is collaborating with the private sector to develop about one million hectares of Jatropha plantation throughout the country. The objective of this study was to assess the importance which farmers give to ,Jcurcas compared with other indigenous tree species and identify the indigenous uses and niches of J. curcas in Ghana. Three farming communities were selected from each of the ten regions. A total of six hundred farmers, consisting of twenty farmers from each community were selected at random and interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that J curcas was identified as one of the most important tree species in nine out of the ten regions. Majority （56%） of the respondents indicated that it is mainly used for medicinal purpose and mostly found around homesteads. However. the study observed that, research attention is needed on integration into agricultural lands, germplasm collection and genetic improvement. These findings will help boost production ofJ. curcas in Ghana for the nation to realize her dream of alternative fuel from the plant.
