DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 22 (MExN): The Government’s move to exploit existing potential of alternative sources of energy and also to argument future energy potentials in the country, has drawn the attention of policy-makers, agricultural scientists, planners and entrepreneurs. The Nagaland state department of Agriculture has managed approval for implementation of a project, “Development of Elite Planting Material and Model Plantation,” of Jatropha from NOVOD Board, Ministry of Agriculture Government of India during 2006-07. The project envisages nursery development and plantation of Jatropha in 200ha, establishment of Tree Borne Oilseeds (TBOs) Garden in 1ha and organizing five farmers’ trainings.
As a process of implementation of the programme, two technical officers Ashutosh Pandey and Devdutt from NOVOD Board, Gurgoan (Haryana), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India along with the officials of the state department of Agriculture reviewed the implementation of the project in Dimapur and Peren districts from October 20 to the 22nd.
The visiting NOVOD board officials have expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the scheme. They advised the department to expand more areas under Jatropha plantation. It was further informed by DR. Supong Keitzar Director of Agriculture, that the NOVOD board officials stated that schemes regarding pre-processing and processing units are also available which will be implemented by NOVOD board during the 11th Plan period.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has explored possibilities for promotion of tree-borne oilseeds like Jatropha, Pongammia (Karanja), neem and others for production of oil having industrial uses namely bio-pesticides formulation, lubricant oils, varnish, candle-making, soap manufacturing, and so forth through the National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board.
The state department of Agriculture has also explored possibilities for promotion of Jatropha in the state as sole crop, intercropped with jhum paddy, maize, chilly, soyabean, etc. in the 1st year of plantation and intercropping with shade-loving crops like ginger, tumeric, etc. in the subsequent years. This can also be planted as hedge plant along fencings. Jatropha is a fast-growing perennial shrub having the potential to yield 30 - 40% oil from seeds. It is not browsed by cattle and is capable to grow as well as establish under variable agro-climatic conditions of the state. It starts bearing from 2nd-year of plantation and continues fruiting up to 40 years.
DR. Supong Keitzar added that the demand of petroleum product is increasing continuously due to increased transportation medium, socio-economic advancement, per Capita income, industrialization. Fossil fuel reserves of the country are depleting fast because of extreme exploitation of available fossil fuel reserves. This has caused import of petroleum products worth Rs. l, 49, 000 Crore approximately during 2006-07 alone to make the country’s requirement affect every aspect of life. If this trend continuous, the country will face a horrible economic situation in spite of having potentials to meet out the requirement, it was stated.
