Kalam favours farmers cooperatives for Jatropha production

Sunderkhera, Chhattisgarh, Nov 7: President A P J Abdul Kalam today suggested creation of co-operatives among farmers on the lines of the Amul Cooperative dairy system to accelerate Jatropha cultivation in the country.

''This can be done on the lines of Amul Cooperative dairy system followed in Gujarat,'' he said in his speech after visiting this village, where nearly 100 acres has been covered for Jatropha plantation for bio-diesel production.

''Jatropha plantation not only provides bio-diesel but also other products such as manure for crops, methane for power generation and glycerol for industrial use besides enormous advantage of carbon trading,'' he said.

Pointing out that only few farmers could afford to set up Jatropha oil extraction and esterification unit on their own, Dr Kalam said, ''Even small size extraction units require large quantity of seeds.'' He said pooling resources in terms of production would help in setting up oil extraction and esterification units in the areas of Jatropha production.

Stressing on the need for creating co-operatives of farmers for this purpose, Dr Kalam said such cooperative body could be funded for establishing Jatropha production and processing units.

Lauding efforts by Chhattisgarh for planting 22 crore Jatropha saplings in an area of 88,000 hectares, Dr Kalam said the state had taken a lead in working towards Jatropha cultivation in one million hectares of fallow land by 2012.

Pointing out that the availability of standard seeds of Jatropha to the farmer was important, the President said local high-yielding Jatropha varieties could be used till standard varieties were developed. Stating that at present this country has got Jatropha selection having 30 per cent oil content in seeds, Dr Kalam said Chhattisgarh should take the lead to produce seeds which can yield more than 45 per cent oil.

The President suggested that Chhattisgarh Bio-fuel Development Agency (CBDA) should facilitate collective discussion between oil marketing companies, farmers, co-operative enterprises and educational institutions for working out the optimal sizing of the plant needed for the state.

Referring to marketing aspects, Dr Kalam said at present the demand for Jatropha seed was mainly for the plantation.

However, this situation will change once countrywide plantation took root, he said. There was a need to establish marketing agencies for Jatropha seeds in different regions so that the farmers do not find difficulty in selling their produce and getting remunerative prices before such an event occurred.

The President said bio-diesel was one area which can transform the scenario in the oil sector but with the limited experience of bio-diesel in the country and elsewhere, we have to understand its potential and also problems associated with it.

He called for concerted effort in R&D both in production and processing, facilitation by government, large scale initiative from the private sector and self-help groups and hassle-free financial support from financial institutions.

Later during an interactive session with local farmers, Dr Kalam spoke about the benefits of Jatropha cultivation and advised them to use good quality seeds. He said Jatropha seeds in many parts of the country contained only 20-25 per cent oil content but varieties in Chhattisgarh had an oil content of up to 35 per cent.

A farmer, Uma Ram Sahu, when sought to know whether the government could provide cent per cent subsidy for developing irrigation facilities for Jatropha cultivation.

Dr Kalam then asked Chief Minister Raman Singh to reply.

Dr Singh said the state government would provide 75 per cent subsidy for drip and sprinkler irrigation if the farmers opted for mixed crop of Jatropha cultivation.

He suggested that farmers should also cultivate bamboo, gooseberry and custard apple along with Jatropha as it could help generate more income besides improving the quality of soil.

The President also invited the farmers to visit the herbal farm at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.

State governor Lt Gen (Retd) Krishna Mohan Seth, ministers and other elected representatives were among those present.

UNI