Tamil Nadu - Dharmapuri   

100 watersheds for jatropha cultivation

By Our Staff Reporter

DHARMAPURI, JULY 28. Around 100 watersheds have been identified for cultivation of Jatropha in the district, said the Collector, Ashish Vachhani.

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa had announced the cultivation of alternative cropping schemes in water-deficit areas and areas of drought.

As Dharmapuri has a permanent water deficit it has been proposed to take up Jatropha cultivation in 500 hectares during the current year in the district, he said.

The Collector said that Dharmapuri was the first district to take up the initiative and the plantation would be taken up in common wastelands and other wastelands of watershed areas being implemented under Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP), Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP) and Comprehensive Wasteland Programme (CWP).

The seedlings would be supplied by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu. Known as the wonder plant Jatropha is a major source of bio-diesel. The oil cake obtained from the plant is used as a source of manure and glycerine is used in soap industries.

Farmers encouraged

He said that farmers were being encouraged to go in for water conserving crops as the plant had a good revenue and needed only 40 percent of the total water required for other crops. The plant also helps in the conservation of moisture in the soil and facilitates better percolation.

Planting could be taken up during June and July and around 1,300 seedlings would be required for one acre. After 7 to 8 years alternative plants should be removed to maintain the productivity and should be continued once in five years based on the plant growth and shading. Though the plant can yield from the first year of cultivation the economic yield can be had only from the third year up to a period of 35 years.

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