India to broaden range of biofuels crops
Quicknote biofuel crops
India's liquid biofuel policies are heavily focused on biodiesel derived from two oilseed bearing tree-crops, namely Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata (locally known as 'karanj'). Now the Indian government plans to launch a special mission to promote the cultivation of other crops for alternative fuels, including sugar and starch crops, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said.
The mission would focus on crops like sweet sorghum, maize, cassava, sugarcane and sugar beat, he said addressing a Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry. This mission will comprise 14 central ministries involved in the promotion of bio-fuels and state governments, he added.
Pawar emphasized the need for making biofuel cultivation economically viable for farmers as an alternative crop, and as a way to substitute petroleum, prices of which are soaring. India's annual requirement of petroleum products is about 124 million metric tons, 72 per cent of which is met through imports at present costing over €25 billion (US$32bn) annually.
The ministry has been playing a pioneering role in taking the country on the path of biofuels by constituting a National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board. The Board has undertaken a countrywide network project for the identification and development of elite planting material resulting in the plantation on 10,000 hectares of test-land at different places in 21 states.
ethanol :: biodiesel :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: India :: sorghum :: cassava :: crops ::
India's liquid biofuel policies are heavily focused on biodiesel derived from two oilseed bearing tree-crops, namely Jatropha curcas and Pongamia pinnata (locally known as 'karanj'). Now the Indian government plans to launch a special mission to promote the cultivation of other crops for alternative fuels, including sugar and starch crops, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said.
The mission would focus on crops like sweet sorghum, maize, cassava, sugarcane and sugar beat, he said addressing a Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his ministry. This mission will comprise 14 central ministries involved in the promotion of bio-fuels and state governments, he added.
Pawar emphasized the need for making biofuel cultivation economically viable for farmers as an alternative crop, and as a way to substitute petroleum, prices of which are soaring. India's annual requirement of petroleum products is about 124 million metric tons, 72 per cent of which is met through imports at present costing over €25 billion (US$32bn) annually.
The ministry has been playing a pioneering role in taking the country on the path of biofuels by constituting a National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development (NOVOD) Board. The Board has undertaken a countrywide network project for the identification and development of elite planting material resulting in the plantation on 10,000 hectares of test-land at different places in 21 states.
ethanol :: biodiesel :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: India :: sorghum :: cassava :: crops ::
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