UP Guvernment calls for large scale Jatropha farming

Faizabad, Apr 3 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar today called upon the agricultural scientist fraternity to go for Jatropha farming on a large scale for increased production of bio-diesel.

Addressing the convocation of the Acharya Narendra Dev Agriculture and Technological University (ANDU), Mr Rajeswar, also the chancellor of the University, called upon the agricultural scientists of ANDU and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to start Jatropha plantation on a large scale.

''The scientists in both the universities need to mull over the issue and start large scale Jatropha plantations for enhancing the production of bio-diesel which is essential for reducing the country's dependence on oil producing nations to fulfill its energy requirements,'' Mr Rajeswar said.

The Governor also expressed concern over the backwardness of Eastern UP and highlighted the need for developing a programme aimed at comprehensive development of the region.

''It is a sorry sight to see the region that has boasted of social reformers like Kabir go down the development ladder. Urgent efforts in form of a complete programme for comprehensive development of East UP was the need of the hour,'' Mr Rajeswar reiterated.

Proper development programme could improve the conditions in East UP where 57 per cent of the population lived below poverty line, he added.

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