Jatropha project in Himachal to come up in 2007-'08

The lower hills of Himachal Pradesh are set to start cultivation of the much needed Jatropha crop, a source of bio-diesel.

"The Centre has approved a Rs 33 crore project, whereby Rs 10 lakh Jatropha plants would be distributed to farmers in the state," said State Forest Minister Ram Lal Thakur.

Jatropha was being grown on an experimental basis so far in the low-lying Una and Bilaspur districts of the state. This has encouraged the state government to promote its production on a large scale in the lower hills of the state.

Experts say Jatropha can also be grown in wastelands. The seeds of the plant are a rich source of eco friendly oil. It produces more than four times biodiesel than soyabean and ten times more than corn.

The trees produce around 1,600 litres of oil per hectare. The demand for biodiesel is growing by the day due to shrinking reserves of conventional sources of oil across the globe.

"Jatropha cultivation has the potential to raise the economy of the farmers in a big way as the demand will grow by leaps and bounds in coming years," said Thakur.

The project would come into effect from the next financial year and the Jatropha plants would be distributed through the state forest department nurseries, official said.