The cultivation of which crop is expanding in Telangana due to its biodiesel potential?

Maize
Castor
Jatropha
Sunflower

The correct answer is: C) Jatropha.

Jatropha is a shrub or small tree that is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, which also includes castor oil plants and cassava. Jatropha is a non-edible oilseed crop that is grown for its biodiesel potential. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be used to power diesel engines. It is made from vegetable oils or animal fats, and it is a cleaner-burning fuel than petroleum diesel.

Jatropha has several advantages over other oilseed crops for biodiesel production. It is a drought-tolerant crop that can be grown on marginal land. It is also a perennial crop, which means that it can be harvested for many years without replanting. Jatropha is also a non-food crop, which means that it does not compete with food crops for land and water.

The cultivation of jatropha is expanding in Telangana due to its biodiesel potential. The Telangana government has set a target of planting 10 million jatropha trees by 2020. The government is providing subsidies to farmers who plant jatropha, and it is also setting up jatropha processing plants.

The cultivation of jatropha has been controversial, however. Some critics have argued that jatropha is not a sustainable crop, and that it can have negative environmental impacts. Others have argued that jatropha is a land grab, and that it is displacing traditional land uses.

Despite the controversy, jatropha remains a promising crop for biodiesel production. It is a drought-tolerant, perennial crop that can be grown on marginal land. It is also a non-food crop, which means that it does not compete with food crops for land and water. The cultivation of jatropha is expanding in Telangana due to its biodiesel potential.