The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rs. 6 per kg. for Jatropha seed promised

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rs. 6 per kg. for Jatropha seed promised

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 7. Responding to a suggestion from the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the industry has assured a minimum price of Rs.6 per kg for Jatropha seed, so that farmers are encouraged to take up Jatropha plantations in a big way and provide enough raw material for Jatropha-based bio-diesel production.

Seed shortage

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a National Seminar on Biofuels `Bioleum 2004' organised by the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) here on Tuesday, Dr.Reddy requested the industry to assure a minimum or basic price of Rs.6 per kg. O.P.Goenka, president of FAPCCI, who had earlier mentioned Rs.5 per kg, immediately responded by promising to pay Rs.6 per kg on behalf of the industry.

Dr.Reddy said currently bio-fuel was the most hotly debated subject nationally. Even the Planning Commission has taken initiatives on the issue. The State Government also wants to encourage Jatropha and Pongamia, and planned 2.50 lakh acres of Jatropha plantation this year. However, it could be taken up only on 60,000 to 70,000 acres due to shortage of seed.

Dr. Reddy said the future of bio-diesel was bright and "I see a revolution in this area which could benefit farmers," he said. However, there was need for stepping up research and increasing the productivity of Jatropha and Pongamia, so that it would lead to economic uplift of farmers.

He said the Government had also asked the Acharya N.G.Ranga Agriculture University to step up research on these aspects.

Bright future

Dr.Reddy felt that in areas like Rayalaseema and South Telangana, not only wastelands, but even farmlands could be used profitably by opting for such plantations, as traditional farming had turned unprofitable.

He sounded a note of caution, saying the quality of seed has to be improved for higher productivity, and that soil in wastelands has to be upgraded before taking up such plantations.

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