Bio-fuels facilitate rural development, create jobs: Raghuvansh

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) The Ministry of Rural Development considers bio-diesel a potential fuel, capable of generating employment at the rural level, and is providing all help to promote its cultivation especially in the Wasteland areas.

Addressing the National Convention on Climate Change and Bio-Diesel 2008 at FICCI auditorium here, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today asserted that apart from reducing green house gas emissions, bio-feuls could be an effective option for stimulating rural development, creating jobs and providing energy security.

Dr Singh said under Desert Development Programme (DDP) of his ministry, an allocation of Rs 50 crore was made to promote the cultivation of Jatropha in rural areas last year.

Keeping in view the limited sources of conventional petro fuels, their escalating prices and adverse effects on the climate, it was high time that issues and strategies relating to bio-diesel production, conversion and utilisation were considered and discussed with all the stakeholders including farmers, he added.

The minister said that availability of quality planting material, suitability of wastelands, rainfall, suitable agronomic practices for cultivation of non-edible oil seed producing plants were important aspects for farmers and cultivators.

The stakeholders in the entire chain of bio-diesel production, conversion and utilisation need to be educated and awareness created through various means such as training, workshops, seminars, symposia etc.

Dr Singh expressed the hope that deliberations at the convention would provide valuable inputs for all those engaged in the promotion of biofuels as a substitute for petrol and diesel in the transport and other sectors.

UNI AJ RR GC1914