BIODIESEL PRODUCTION DERIVED FROM JATROPHA: A STUDY OF COMPETITIVENESS IN THE STATE OF CHIAPAS, MEXICO

In 2010, two factories for producing biodiesel from jatropha (Jatropha curcas L.) were inaugurated in the state of Chiapas, which were supported by the State Biofuel Development Program. The Policy Analysis Matrix methodology was applied in a time horizon of 20 years to determine whether the production of biodiesel from jatropha at the state level is competitive and has comparative advantages. Results indicate that biodiesel production would be beneficial with an average annual profit of 3,249,387 Mexican pesos. The cost of internal resources was 0.25, indicating that the agribusiness producing biodiesel from jatropha is efficient and has comparative advantages. The benefit-cost ratio of the investment was 4.08, which indicates high profitability. Production of biodiesel from jatropha in the study region is profitable; therefore, the implementation of actions and strategies to promote the growth of this activity in the state of Chiapas is recommended.