A decade of research on tree borne oilseeds to strengthen National Biofuel Programme: A review

Abstract

Bio-fuels such as bio-diesel and ethanol are gaining worldwide acceptance as a solution for problems of environmental degradation, energy security, restricting imports, rural employment and agricultural economy. Currently, India’s position at global biofuel map is not very prominent. However, the country has ambitious plans to expand the biofuel sector. The Government of India’s policy on promoting tree-based bio-fuel plantations is focused on promoting use of wastelands and less productive lands. The country has enormous potential of oilseeds of tree origin like mahua, neem, simarouba, karanja, jatropha, jojoba, cheura, kokum, wild apricot, bhikal, wild walnut, kusum, tung, etc. which can be grown and established in the wastelands and varied agro-climatic conditions. These have domestic and industrial utility like agriculture, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, diesel and fuel substitute, cocoa-butter substitute, etc. But they are not utilised fully due to lack of awareness of their uses, resource base, collection, marketing, etc. Besides, lack of proper facility for storage, seed collection, long gestation period, fruiting/maturity season coinciding with rain, etc. are main constraints limiting to the collection and utilization of above TBOs. Now, with experience of more than a decade and identification of elite material of TBOs, niche areas for different TBOs, agro-techniques and cultivation practices known, the programme on biofuel can achieve its objectives and the country may get the benefit from the green energy. A review of the R&D on biofuel and the drivers for the biofuel programme clearly indicating the way forward to achieve the targets of biofuel policy.