Profit motive

Ranchi, Nov. 18: Farmers in the region have learnt that growing jatropha is the smartest way to reap profits.

Raja Ram, a farmer of the nondescript village of Godda, no longer worries of funding his children’s marriage and higher education. After using his wasteland to plant jatropha, a non-edible energy crop, he is looking forward to earn a decent living.

And he is not alone. Around 50,000 farmers in the eastern and north-eastern regions are growing jatropha. In Jharkhand alone, the plant is being grown on 20,000-25,000 hectares of land in collaboration with tea producing company Williamson Magor (Jharkhand) and D1-BP Fuel Crops India Limited.

The anticipated yield is between 1,00,000 and 1,20,000 metric tonnes of crude jatropha oil per annum (assuming the 40,000 hectares is cultivated).

“Growing jatropha in Jharkhand is of great advantage as wasteland is available in plenty. Besides, the farmers can earn maximum revenue from the wasteland, which is of no alternative use,” said Samiran Das, the chief executive officer (CEO) of D1-BP Fuel Crops India Ltd, who is providing technical knowledge on crop management and packaging.

He pointed out that jatropha could also be exported to other countries, which will help India earn foreign exchange.

“After successful plantation the grains will be crushed to get crude oil which can later be converted into bio-diesel and help the country earn foreign exchange. There won’t be any need to import crude oil, too, which will help the country in energy security,” Das said.

As far as Jharkhand is concerned, profit will be visible only after three years. “The gestation period lasts from two to three years. Hence, farmers need to wait before the final result,” Das explained.

The climate in the state is conducive to grow jatropha. Scanty rainfall, humidity and different types of soil aid its cultivation.

“All necessary efforts are being made so that farmers can earn maximum revenue by inter-cropping. Water is not required to grow the plant,” added Das.

Once the plantation is complete and gestation period is over, the farmers could earn up to Rs 10,000 per month. There are around 21,000 farmers involved in this work.

The three-year project started in 2007 in different districts of Jharkhand mainly Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda and Jamtara.

“The project will be completed in 2010 after which we will extract oil to produce fuel,” Das said.