India is the sixth largest consumer of oil and natural gas in the world. Being a net importer of fossil fuels, we depend on the mercy of foreign countries for our energy security. Fossil fuel sources are finite and polluting. It is, therefore, obligatory to look for alternative sources of clean energy. Jatropha curcas has emerged as one such alternative which can produce bio-diesel and reduce import of fossil fuel and save foreign exchange of Rs. 1,50,000 crores yearly.
Jatropha is a hardy plant capable of growing on waste and degraded lands. As decided by the Government of India, implementation of bio-diesel missions will promote extensive plantation of Jatropha, bio-diesel production and consumption for eradicating poverty from the country. Not much has been written at a single place about various aspects of Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production. In the words of the President of India, "...this book will act as a spark-plug for Jatropha cultivation and extraction of bio-diesel in the country."

Dr. Dina Nath Tewari has spent more than five decades in promoting sustainable management of natural resources and nation building for eradication of poverty and hunger while protecting the environment. He has served in the continents of Asia, Africa & Europe and has received international acclaim for achieving sustainability. During 2007 he received the Rio-Tinto-Alcan prize for sustainability of one million US dollars. He received numerous national and international awards for his innovations in the field of herbal medicines, biofuel development, water and sanitation. As an inventor, he owns more than 10 patents. He has served in UN organisations, CGIAR institutions, Deputy Chairman State Planning Commission, Member Planning Commission Govt. of India, Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor of Universities. An expert in forestry, energy, planning and development. Working as Vice-Chairman of Planning Commission, Chhattisgarh, he was responsible for raising of large scale Jatropha curcas plantation, bio-diesel production and consumption.
While working as a member of Union Planning Commission, under his chairmanship, reports on 'bio-fuel mission', 'bamboo technology mission', 'herbal drugs from medicinal plants' and 'greening India for poverty alleviation' were drafted. He, worked as a Chairman of 'High; Power Monitoring Committee' of the Supreme Court and got implemented several schemes on cleaning of the rivers and bio-gas production from waste.
Dr. Tewari served as Chairman/Member of 'Forest Genetic Resources Team' of FAO, Rome and started network on Neem and other tree-borne oilseeds in Asia, Africa and South America for oil production and livelihood security. He worked as Director General of Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education and produced monographs on all important tree species, eco-systems and rare medicinal plants. He has written 103 books of which few have been translated into international languages also.