National Oilseeds & Vegetable Oils Development Board
Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India 86, Sector -18, Institutional Area, Gurgaon- 122015 Website: www.novodboard.org
Dr. M.S.PUNIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR National Oilseeds & Vegetable Oils Development Board, (Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India), FOREWORD India stands at sixth place in the world in energy need and overall demand of crude oil which is expected to rise annually by 5.6% upto 2011. The scenario of rising prices in the world oil market and respective foreign exchange cost are the main risk factors for Indian economy and social development prospects. Moreover, increased consumption and high dependence on non-renewable sources which substantially contributed to global warming and environmental pollution, presents a window of opportunity for looking at the alterative strategies to meet increasing energy needs. Bio-diesel, a renewable source of energy offers a great potential to ease and mitigate limitation and supplement supplies of fossil fuel. The demand and supply gap of fuel is bridged with the import of petroleum products. If the existing trend continues, the situation shall become more grim. Therefore, existing potential of alternative sources need to be trapped which are scattered across the country. Jatropha is one of the best alternative sources available for bio-diesel production and its potential needs to be explored. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) belongs to Euphorbiaceae family is a fast growing shrub capable to grow and establish in tropical and subtropical region of the country and even on wasteland. It has various advantageous characteristic features viz. not browsed by cattle, best hedge plant, less gestation period (two years), capable to grow and II
establish in various biotic and abiotic stress conditions, high oil content (30-42% in seed), multiple uses including lubricant and illumination etc. Continuing efforts for bringing out various technical bulletins on various TBOs i.e. Neem, Jojoba, Wild apricot etc., the Board has
Dr. M.S.PUNIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR National Oilseeds & Vegetable Oils Development Board, (Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India), FOREWORD India stands at sixth place in the world in energy need and overall demand of crude oil which is expected to rise annually by 5.6% upto 2011. The scenario of rising prices in the world oil market and respective foreign exchange cost are the main risk factors for Indian economy and social development prospects. Moreover, increased consumption and high dependence on non-renewable sources which substantially contributed to global warming and environmental pollution, presents a window of opportunity for looking at the alterative strategies to meet increasing energy needs. Bio-diesel, a renewable source of energy offers a great potential to ease and mitigate limitation and supplement supplies of fossil fuel. The demand and supply gap of fuel is bridged with the import of petroleum products. If the existing trend continues, the situation shall become more grim. Therefore, existing potential of alternative sources need to be trapped which are scattered across the country. Jatropha is one of the best alternative sources available for bio-diesel production and its potential needs to be explored. Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) belongs to Euphorbiaceae family is a fast growing shrub capable to grow and establish in tropical and subtropical region of the country and even on wasteland. It has various advantageous characteristic features viz. not browsed by cattle, best hedge plant, less gestation period (two years), capable to grow and II
establish in various biotic and abiotic stress conditions, high oil content (30-42% in seed), multiple uses including lubricant and illumination etc. Continuing efforts for bringing out various technical bulletins on various TBOs i.e. Neem, Jojoba, Wild apricot etc., the Board has