In a unique plan to boost supply of raw material for bio-diesel production, the State-owned Chhattisgarh Biofuel Development Authority (CBDA) is planning to create a ‘robust rural network’ for collection and handling of Jatropha curcas seeds (Ratanjot).
The project would be taken up for collection, storage and supply of Jatropha Curcas Seed (Ratanjot) to CBDA Plant in Raipur, officials informed.
Notably, CBDA in May this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two separate companies for development of bio-diesel complex in the State.
CBDA has signed the MoU for development of bio-diesel complex in the State with two separate companies including Chennai-based M/s Green Energy and Guwahati (Assam)-based Bhuma Energy-IIT during a Consultative Workshop on Biofuel held here .
The companies will be carrying out investment to the tune of around ` 95 crore in the State. In bio-diesel complex, production of organic manure, organic insecticide, unprocessed glycerin and other allied products will be carried from waste remains after production of bio-diesel from Jatropha plant and other inedible oils.
Since inception, CBDA have augmented plantation of more than 1.50 crores of Jatropha saplings in revenue wasteland throughout the State of Chhattisgarh.
This initiative has increased the green cover of the State and generated rural livelihood opportunities in remote villages. CBDA is currently engaged into crushing, expelling of non-edible oil seeds and sale of products from its exiting Biodiesel Plant.
During the financial year ended on March 31, 2016, CBDA has procured around 500 tonnes of Jatropha seeds. Till date CBDA has produced more than 2,40,000 litres of semi-finished biofuel from its pilot scale production plant at VIP Road, Raipur by procuring Jatropha seed from and within the State. It is estimated that current annual production of Jatropha seed in Chhattisgarh is around 3000 MT and is expected to reach around 10000 MT during current financial year.
To enhance the production and marketing of semi-finished biofuel as well as Jatropha Organic Manure, CBDA is planning to escalate collection/ procurement of Tree borne oilseeds (TBOs) from 2016-17 onwards. It is therefore felt necessary to build robust rural network with the help of community participation and involvement of local seed collectors.