The potential of Jatropha oil as a diesel substitute has already been recognized by Indian scientists, and several landowners in India have even started plantations of this tree. It is however still a very low yielding wild plant, yielding on an average about 200 to 500 kg seed per acre. In fact, this is true of most of the oil-bearing tree species in India. Most of them do not yield more than about 100 to 250 kg of oil per acre. The species of oil-bearing plants that are raised as field crops have been subjected to intense plant breeding input, and therefore yield at least four times as much oil. I agree that Jatropha is a plant that can survive under adverse conditions, but under poor agronomic conditions, the yield would be even lower. And there are many other species, that would give more money per unit area than Jatropha, even on waste land.
The oil plant Jatropha curcas (L) (Jatropha) or physic nut is a multipurpose and drought resistant large shrub or small tree. Although a native of tropical America, it now thrives throughout Africa and Asia. It grows in a number of climatic zones in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and can be grown in areas of low rainfall and problematical sites. Jatropha is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and is hardy. Being drought tolerant, it can be used to reclaim eroded areas, be grown as a boundary fence or live hedge in the arid/semi-arid areas.
The wood and fruit of Jatropha can be used for numerous purposes including fuel. The seeds of Jatropha contains (. 50% by weight) viscous oil, which can be used for manufacture of candles and soap, in the cosmetics industry, for cooking and lighting by itself or as a diesel/paraffin substitute or extender. This latter use has important implications for meeting the demand for rural energy services and also exploring practical substitutes for fossil fuels to counter greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere.
These characteristics along with its versatility make it of vital importance to developing countries subjected to decreasing tree cover and soil fertility because of increasing population and development pressures. Nearly half the world’s poorest people live on marginal lands with the number expected to increase from 500 million to 800 million by 2020. These areas are by definition isolated and fragile, with soils susceptible to erosion and subjected to environmental stresses of deforestation, prolonged droughts, and decreasing soil and ground water. Although southern Africa is rich in biodiversity and production potential, large areas are under semiarid and arid conditions with a moderate-to-high risk of drought. Plants species like Jatropha that can grow on lands not usually attractive for agriculture and supply raw material for industry, fuels for basic energy services and improve environment are therefore an obvious choice that needs to be assessed carefully and comprehensively.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Jatropha - As a Diesel substitude
Castor oil export crosses 3 lakh tonne in 2008-09
New Delhi, 5 May 2009
Castor oil export crosses 3 lakh tonne in 2008-09
At the time when the country’s overall growth of export started showing negative trend in some agri-commodities due to the impact of global economic crisis, export of castor oil has not only buck the trend but also registered a significant growth of 74% during the fiscal year 2008-09. Annual exports were below 2 lakh tonne over the past five years. Castor oil is the substitute of petroleum products. For the first time in the recent years, the total export of castor oil has crossed 3 lakh tonne mark in financial year 2008-09. Total export increased to 3.08 lakh tonne in 2008-09 from 1.76 lakh tonnes in 2007-08, up by 74% thanks to good buying from China . “There are some enquires from China . I think the country exports about 8,000 tonne castor oil per month to China as Chinese buyers prefers small lots in containers,” said Wamanbhai Udeshi, director, Jayant Agro-Organics, a leading exporter of castor oil products. “Shippers are offering castor oil around $1,020-1,030 per tonne (C&F basis) ex-Kandla for next month shipment,” a local broker said. The country has so far exported about 75,000 tonne of castor oil till April during the current calendar year as fresh arrivals of new crop started in last January. Daily arrivals reached to one lakh bags (each of 75 kgs). Traders expect export demand to continue from China . However, there are some enquiries from Europe and the US but hardly any major deals heard, sources said. The country expects 10.5-11 lakh tonne of castor seed crop for the current season. Of which, about 2.5 lakh tonne have already arrived in the major market yards of Gujarat and Rajasthan. Shippers and stockists are major buyers in the market as they feel prices to remain firm over the next few days, a broker said. Castorseed May contracts on NCDEX platform were up Rs 14-15 to trade at Rs 501 per 10 kg on Monday on continued buying support.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Agri still plays vital role in providing jobs: OECD
The Financial Express
New Delhi, 19 March 2009
While the economic importance of the agricultural sector is falling relative to other sectors, it continues to play a vital role in providing employment and contributing to food security especially in countries like Brazil, Chile, India, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine. A report titled “Agricultural Policies In Emerging Economies :Monitoring and Evaluation 2009” by Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) finds that although weather conditions can cause large short-term fluctuations, over the longer-term both agricultural production and, in particular, agro-food trade are growing rapidly. Brazil , Chile , India and Ukraine are net exporters of agro-food products, while China and Russia are net importers. Along with a large number of other countries, the seven emerging economies made various policy interventions in response to higher food prices. The most common policy response taken by the emerging economies - and also worldwide - has been to reduce or suspend import tariffs on food products. The products on which tariffs were reduced, and the time and quantity limit varied between economies, as well as the extent of the tariff reduction. For example, while Brazil has provided tariff-free access for 2 million tonne of wheat, the MFN applied tariff is just 6%. Changes of this magnitude can be expected to make only a limited impact on inflation. The next most common response has been to impose export barriers in the form of export restrictions or export taxes. The measures imposed by India , Russia and Ukraine were particularly significant given the potential quantities involved. Export barriers are likely to lower domestic prices for the products concerned but have serious spill-over effects, impeding price signals to producers and decreasing supplies for importing countries. As far as India is concerned, improvement of rural infrastructure has been given a high priority to make India ’s growth “more inclusive and equitable”. A large part of this rural investment is to be undertaken within a programme Bharat Nirman focussing on the expansion of irrigation area, improved water management, support for rural roads, housing, electrification, telecommunication, research and diversification of economic activities. The National Policy for Farmers, introduced in 2007, places greater emphasis on the economic well-being of farmers and rural development rather than just on agricultural production. In 2006, a new package was introduced to revive the short-term rural co-operative credit structure and to expand credit available to farmers at preferential interest rates. In 2008, the government announced a large scheme to waive overdue and unpaid debt, initially for small and marginal farmers, but then extended to include commercial producers. Retail price controls have been introduced in China , Russia and Ukraine . China and South Africa made changes to their biofuel policies to reduce pressure on food security. Chile and South Africa provided additional direct transfers to those most vulnerable to the effect of higher food prices: a cash-based transfer in Chile and the provision of food in South Africa .
Govt stops wheat sale in North on fears of recycling
The Financial Express
New Delhi, 18 March 2009
The Centre has stopped selling wheat through Food Corporation of India in the growing belt of Punjab , Haryana and other states on fear of recycling as it prepares to procure the grain in a fortnight. Wheat sale under the open market sale scheme (OMSS) has been extended till March-end only in the non-growing states, a government official said, adding that in the growing belt the scheme expired on February 28. “The Centre did not want a situation where the same wheat taken from FCI at a cheaper rate be sold to it at a higher rate when the procurement begins from April 1,” he said. The government in September last year had decided to sell 9.09 lakh tonne of wheat under OMSS while raising it further to 13.84 lakh tonne in phases. Under the scheme, the states were offered wheat from FCI at the minimum support price of Rs 1,000 a quintal (excluding transport and taxes), fixed for 2008-09 season. The reserve price of wheat for states in the northern region, barring Himachal Pradesh, is between Rs 1,023 and Rs 1,063 a quintal, which is below the MSP of Rs 1,080 a quintal for 2009-10 season. The scheme was initially valid for two months but the government extended it to keep a check on domestic prices. It expired on February 28 in the wheat growing belt. Another reason for extending the scheme was the demand for wheat in southern states -- Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka -- which have been allotted nearly four lakh tonne out of 11.55 lakh tonne across the country, the official said. “The lifting of wheat, however, stands at 5.95 lakh tonne in the country,” he added. The official also said that the Centre had not extended the scheme of selling wheat to the states, which expired on February 28, as the states lifted only about 80,000 tonne of wheat while the central government wanted to offload nearly one million tonne. Meanwhile, the Centre is all set to start wheat procurement from April 1 for the 2009-10 season and is expecting another bumper purchase. Last year, it had procured 226 lakh tonne of wheat. The government expects a wheat production of 77.78 million tonne this year.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Agri Dept to submit amended proposal to EC
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Rs.1,750-cr. package for primary agricultural cooperative societies
The Hindu
New Delhi, 7 February 2009
Rs.1,750-cr. package for primary agricultural cooperative societies
A revival package of about Rs.1,750 crore has been worked out for around 4,110 primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) in the State. While the Centre will bear 75 per cent of the total assistance amount, the State and the PACS will meet the rest. The package has been finalised as a sequel to the State’s decision to implement the recommendations of the Vaidyanathan Task Force. The Centre’s share will be released through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). In January last year, the State government and the NABARD signed a memorandum of understanding to implement the Task Force’s recommendations. To get the share of the Union government, the State is required to contribute its part. On Wednesday, the State government sanctioned Rs.207.51 crore. The total assistance amount of Rs.1,748.99 crore was finalised at a State-level Implementing and Monitoring Committee meeting last month. This would cover 4,111 PACS affiliated to 22 District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs). [Formed by the Centre in August 2004, the Vaidyanathan Task Force submitted its report on the short-term rural credit cooperative structure in February 2005. It presented its report for the revival of the long-term credit cooperative structure in August 2006.] The committee’s decision was based on the proposals of the district-level panels, which were framed subsequent to special audit of 4,337 PACS. However, only 4,111 societies were eligible for the assistance. Of the total amount, the share of the Centre would be Rs.1,344.53 crore; State government – Rs. 207.51 and PACS – Rs. 196.95 crore. In view of the stipulation that the Centre would release 25 per cent of its share only after the State government met all its commitments including holding the elections to cooperative bodies, the State-level committee, at its meeting, approved an amount of Rs.1,008.4 crore as the share of the Union government. As part of the implementation of the recommendations, the State government had also provided a legal framework, providing functional autonomy to societies. In respect of the polls to cooperative bodies, there is a case pending before the Supreme Court. The government action will depend upon the court verdict.
Plant pests’ biofuelled -AK Gupta
New Delhi, 15 February 2009
Plant pests’ biofuelled
EXPANSION of corn acreage in four US states- Michigan , Iowa , Minnesota and Wisconsin -to meet ethanol targets has reduced the number of insects involved in soyabean pest control. This in turn has triggered yield loss, excessive dependence on pesticides and an overall increase in cost of production. A study estimated crop loss due to pest attack on soyabean crops to be US $58 million for the year 2007-08. "Corn is a less favourable habitat for many ladybird beetles and other beneficial insects that feed on pests like the soyabean aphid (Aphis glycines)," wrote Doug Landis, professor of entomology at Michigan State University and part of the team that did the study. Agricultural landscapes with a high proportion of food crops like wheat, alfalfa and vegetable crops support a greater abundance of natural insects which keep pest population sizes low. Monocrop landscapes like those occupied by bioenergy crops have been found to change habitat characteristics preventing the landscapes from supporting biocontrol. Corn acreage across USA increased by 19 per cent to a total of 37.9 million hectares due to cost reduction in production of minor crops and cultivation of fallow land under the Conservation Reserve Program Acreage in 2006-2007. From 2007 to 2008, the corn plantation declined 7 per cent, but remained the second highest since 1946, as per data by the US Department of Agriculture. Increase in corn prices and demand benefited corn growers but they incurred expenses in soyabean production. The study released in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Vol 105, No 51) suggests alternatives to corn production like cellulosic ethanol obtained from grasses like switch grass and mixed prairie. These would diversify agricultural landscapes and support multiple ecosystems while meeting biofuel target.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
An 'agricultural' Wikipedia' (Agrinews)
New Delhi, 28 January 2009
An 'agricultural' Wikipedia'
INDIAN scientists have launched an "agricultural Wikipedia' to act as an online repository of agricultural information in the country. The government-backed initiative, Agropedia, was launched on 12 January and it aims to disseminate crop- and region-specific information to farmers and agricultural extension workers - who communicate agricultural information and research findings to farmers - and provide information for students and researchers. The website currently contains information on nine crops - rice, wheat, chickpea, pigeon pea, vegetable pea, lychee, sugarcane, groundnut and sorghum - but its creators say that all agriculture-related topics will be eventually covered. Content will be continually added and validated through review and analysis by invited agricultural researchers, in a manner similar to that used by Wikipedia and using open source tools, says V Ba1aji, head of knowledge management and sharing with the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, a partner in the project. The site also houses blogs and forums where anyone can provide and exchange knowledge. The Rs 85-million project is being implemented over 30 months and is backed by the National Agricultural Innovation Project, a six-year government programme intended to modernize agriculture. The World Bank and the Indian government have provided the funding for the project and six Indian agricultural and technology institutions are partners, providing information and technological expertise. India is considered a global leader in promoting innovative ways of using technology for farm and rural outreach, Balaji said. In the last five years, close to 12,000 information technology-enabled rural information centres some with Internet access - had been established but· there was a lack of accessible agricultural information, he says. It was hoped that even where farmers had no access to the Internet, the Agropedia information could be used as a basis for radio plays, for example, said Balaji. Agropedia's lead architect, TV Prabhakar, of the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur , initially envisioned the website as the equivalent of Wikipedia for global agriculture three years ago, but for now it would concentrate on India-specific information. He said that the initial phase of the project - developing a mechanism to manage the vast repository of knowledge - was nearly complete, and the next step was to develop ways to disseminate the knowledge. Trials will soon begin in six locations around the country.
Red alert for GM crops (Agrinews)
Kolkata, 28 January 2009
Red alert for GM crops
Bt brinjal is unsafe for human consumption and its release into the environment puts human and animal health at high risk, said US-based Institute of Responsible Technology executive director Jeffery Smith. Smith requested a “wake-up call”, as Orissa was going to be the experiment ground for Bt brinjal cultivation. Prompted by Bt seed dealers, primarily from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, farmers here have been taking up commercial cultivation of Bt cotton in a big way. Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology has recently started research on genetically modified food and its commercial cultivation in the state. The feedback from farmers in Bolangir, Rayagada and Nuapada districts of show erratic yields, failed cops, increased pest incidence, new diseases among others. Besides, there have been reports about death of cattle after grazing on harvested Bt cotton fields and those handling the crop have come down with severe allergies. “While the situation resulting out of Bt cotton cultivation is getting increasingly critical, the government instead of halting the cultivation is going to allow Bt brinjal in the state,” Smith rued. Bt Cotton was introduced in India in 2002 and five states, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab , Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, have officially allowed its commercial cultivation. “While the Andhra Pradesh animal husbandry department admitted that the sheep deaths in Warangal district were caused by Bt toxin, doctors of Jana Swasthya Abhiyan in Madhya Pradesh have confirmed that Bt cotton is behind the allergies witnessed among cotton farmers there,” Smith said.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Germination of Jatropha Seeds (A Short note) :- AK Gupta, Ph.D
Propagation through seeds; (ii) Vegetative propagation ; and (iii) Nursery raising
PROPAGATION THROUGH SEEDS/DIRECT PLANTING
Direct seeding in polythene bags, germination beds or in containers ; (ii) Pretreatment- Overnight soaking of seeds in water ; (iii) Germination starts after 5-6 days ; (iv) Beds kept moist during germination ; (v) Raising seeds in poly-bags filled with 1:1:1 sand, soil and FYM ; (vi) Two seeds per poly-bags.
VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
Propagation through cuttings ; (ii) Stem size- 2-3cm thick, 30-40 cm in length ; (iii) Position- lower & middle position of the shoot ; (iv) Season- Mid March ; (v) Large cutting- up to 2m ; (vi) Spacing- 30x30x30cm ; (vii) Beds kept moist.
SEED SOWING IN NURSERY
Season- May-June ; (ii) 5-6kg seeds for one hectare land ; (iii) Seeds spacing- 5-10cm line to line and 3-5cm plant to plant (iv) Seed sowing depth – 2cm ; (v) After seed sowing nursery beds should covered with decomposed cow dung manure ; (vi) Beds kept moist until germination.
NURSERY RAISING
It includes:
Availability of good quality seeds or cuttings ; (ii) Selection of nursery site ; (iii) Seed and soil treatment ; (iv) Raising of saplings.
AVAILABILITY OF GOOD QUALITY SEEDS OR CUTTINGS
Collected from superior and environmentally durable trees ; (ii) Should use fresh collection ; (iii) Collection of seeds- Oct-Dec.
SELECTION OF NURSERY SITES
Site should be cleaned from bushes, grasses ; (ii) Availability of adequate sunlight ; (iii) Free from diseases like root or stem rot ; (iv) Use of urea and other chemicals should be avoided.
PREPARATION OF NURSERY BEDS
(i) Size of nursery beds-1.5x3m ; (ii) Nursery operations should be carried out without entering the beds ; (iii) Proportion of soil & manure - Soil-50%, Sand-25% and Cowdung-25%.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
BIOFUEL NEWS BY AK Gupta , Ph.D
Milford Daily News reports on why food prices have not decreased, despite rapidly falling gas prices. One reason is the lag in time between transportation cost decreases and produced-then-transported food. Another reason is last year’s commodity prices that were high because of a worldwide shortage of wheat and the increased use of corn to produce ethanol–thus, a food vs. fuel issue. Although wheat and corn products have increased in price, they are not the only food products which are still expensive. Most food products have remained high, while gas-reliant industries have been able to decrease prices.
Michigan Company Creates New Green “Blogazine”; Green Info & Awareness in Many Areas Promised
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PR Newswire reports that “Earthbound Express, Inc. (EE), a Michigan-based company, has launched the Earth, Wind & Power (EWP) Blogazine(TM).” Readers can learn about the latest environmental developments and news on a wide variety of topics, including environmentally-friendly travel and automotive options. To visit the blog, click here.
Kansas Controversy Brews Over Clean-Versus-Dirty Energy Plans
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 03:00 PM CST
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports on controversy in Kansas between proponents of “green” technology and Sunflower Electric Power Corp.’s proposal for a coal-burning, environmentally-unfriendly $3.5 billion plant. The matter, a hot topic of debate, failed to gain compromise in 2008’s legislative session, but is expected to again arise when the 2009 legislature convenes. At issue is finding middle ground in outlining “a comprehensive energy program that recognizes the historic importance of coal in producing electricity for Kansans while also raising the profile of wind, natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol and other sources of energy.” Sunflower is even going as far as filing lawsuits in state and federal courts seeking reversal of the 2007 decision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, endorsed by the state’s governor, to deny the company a permit.
Northeastern U.S. Region Uniformly Adopts Low Carbon Fuel Standard Agreement
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 01:00 PM CST
Domestic Fuel reports that biofuels are part of a plan adopted by governors of eleven northeastern states in the United States that is aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. This Low Carbon Fuel Standard is also designed to increase the biofuels industry in the region and requires reductions in the average lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions per unit of useful energy. Affected fuel-burning areas include transportation, heating of buildings, industrial processes, and electricity generation.
Edmonton, Vancouver Plans 2012 Plant to Convert Almost All Garbage Into Ethanol
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 11:00 AM CST
The Vancouver Sun reports the town of Edmonton has plans for a new plant to open in 2012 which will divert 90 percent of garbage from landfills and instead, will convert the garbage into ethanol. This is the city’s latest effort in education to citizens about the benefits of recycling and conserving as much as possible.
Bankrupt Boot Hill Biofuels Working With Creditors; Still Plans to Build Its First Ethanol Facility at an Unknown Future Date
Posted: 16 Jan 2009 09:00 AM CST
DodgeCity.com reports that bankrupt Boot Hill Biofuels has shown $4 million of unsecured debt on its books, including that from a 2006 agreement with Conestoga Energy Partners to build an ethanol facility that still has not begun construction. Boot Hill Biofuels indicates its intent to go ahead with the project at a future, more economically-favorable time. The company, now under a repayment Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan, says it is working with its creditors to resolve the case and continue progress toward building its first ethanol plant.
BIOFUEL :"Biodiesel “Home Brews” Popping Up While Ethanol Industry Also Progresses With New Facility ":- AK Gupta, Ph.D
Washington publication Journal Star reports in a series of articles that, following the increase of professional biodiesel production in the United States from 25 million gallons in 2004 to nearly 700 million gallons in 2008, many “homebrew” operations are following suit. One local “homebrew” producer confidentially discusses everything from feedstock aromas in biodiesel to why he produces it. He uses local vegetable waste oil for his own vehicles, as well as teaches others how to produce their own, but admits there are problems in using 100 percent biodiesel in cold climates or unmodified engines. Some biodiesel professionals want this practice banned altogether. This farmer isn’t as quick to adopt ethanol, though, because of the food vs. fuel issue; the biodiesel he produces doesn’t have this problem. BioFuels Manufacturers of Illinois doesn’t agree and expects to break ground this spring for its $35-$40 million Mapleton plant with a 45 million gallon per year yield using the tiny seed, pennycress. Additionally discussed are operations which collect vegetable oil for wash and sale to biodiesel facilities, use of sun and wind power, and temporary tax credit programs for the biofuels industries.
