KURNOOL: As the pressure is mounting for increasing production of bio-fuel to check the rising prices of petroleum products, plantation work is to yet to pick up in the field.

According to Government statistics, jatropha plantations were raised on 14,575 acres last year in Andhra Pradesh making it the second largest State after Chhattisgarh.

The Government proposed to raise jatropha and pongamia plantations on 17 lakh acres during 2006, which appears to be an ambitious target given the confusion prevailing in the field.

Waiting for tax policy

Lack of clarity of Central and State Government policies over bio-fuel is keeping farmers and entrepreneurs away. Also, horticulture scientists are yet to standardise the cultivation practices and research institutes are yet to develop high yielding varieties.

Entrepreneurs who are keen to enter the bio-fuel processing industry are waiting for the tax policy of the Government.

Unless the Government takes a quick decision on the incentives, both for the processor and the farmer, the plantations may not take off.

According to officials involved in promotion of bio-fuel plantations, only medium farmers were showing interest to spare some area for bio-fuel crops while small farmers were sceptical about the success of the crop.

Large area under bio-fuel crops could be achieved only if large and medium farmers are encouraged initially. Captive plantations for processors should be thought of to ensure steady raw material supply.

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