The Singapore-based Center for Management Technology has been holding a series of conferences on Jatropha - what it is, what it can do, what it can't do. The next conference will be held in Miami on June 10th - 11th. For those interested in planting, harvesting, and processing the Jatropha plant in Haiti this could be an invaluable networking opportunity.

The most widely read blogs on Haiti Innovation concern Jatropha. I think this excitement comes from the fact that Jatropha presents an opportunity to reinvigorate the agricultural sector, build livelihoods, and preserve the environment at the same time. It is an innovative approach numerous organizations have only just begun to apply in Haiti. But it could be the future.

A bit about CMT. CMT specializes in petrochemical conferences and operates in 23 countries. CMT seeks to apply the latest global technologies to the various sectors that make up the petrochemical industry including "future fuels" like Biodiesel, Biofuels and alternative energy like Coal to Liquids, Gas to Liquids, and Biomass to Liquid Technology. CMT has been operating for 24 years. You can read a bit about the previous conference which was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. You can also see a list of upcoming events around the world.

The Miami conference will focus on Jatropha in the North American, Latin American, and Carribean contexts. In a mostly rural country with a shakey economy, environmental degradation, and an utter dependency on imported oil, the benefits could have a far-reaching impact.

If you are interested in development in Haiti, but are looking to support something highly innovative, this could be for you. Take a look at the conference and consider participating. Once the conference is over, we would be interested in hearing how you thought it went.

Bryan