Swaziland spots seeds of recovery in biofuel plant

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

HLUTHI, Swaziland (AFP) — Swaziland, one of Africa's poorest and most drought-hit countries, is a test ground for a biofuel crop which its champions believe can transform the farming sector and generate vital revenue.

"I do not use the word 'life-changing' lightly but I was amazed when I first saw this plant," said pop star-turned activist Bob Geldof of the giant jatropha plants that are being cultivated on a farm in southern Swaziland.

"I had never seen something like this in my 23 years of my involvement in Africa."

Geldof, whose involvement with poverty alleviation in Africa stretches back to the 1984 launch of Band Aid, was speaking after a visit to a farm at Hluthi in the mountains of Swaziland to see the jatropha project first-hand.

Situated...