Biofuel policy to promote alternative energy

Bhubaneswar, Aug 28 (UNI) The Orissa government has formulated a policy to promote bio-fuel production and announced a number of incentives to promote plantation of oil seed bearing trees for the generation of alternative energy.

Under the policy guidelines the government intended to encourage farming of oil bearing tree species like Jatropha and Karanja through Self Help Groups comprising farming families and Vana Suraksha Samittees on uncultivated, marginal and fallow land both in private and public sectors.

The poor and disadvantaged section of the society would be encouraged to take up oilseed bearing trees cultivation and eligible entrepreneurs to set up bio-diesel production plants.

The government had decided to go for Jatropha plantation over 4000 acre in 15 districts by September end and appointed Orissa Forest Development Corporation, Orissa Finance Development Corporation, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology and Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency to help select the tree species, quality seedlings and planting practices.

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