Bio-fuels seminar on August 25

The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci), in association with city-based Sampada Farms and Consultants, is organising a national seminar on bio-fuels 'Bioleum "� 2004' here on August 25.

O P Goenka, president of Fapcci, told a press meet that the federation had decided to organise the meet in view of the growing interest among the governments and the farmers on the potential of bio-fuel plantations as a source of sustained livelihood.

The bio-fuel plantation acquired significance as the governments were recognising the need to find a renewable alternative to conventional diesel oils in the wake of inflating import bills of crude oils, he said.

India alone imported around 70 per cent of its total required crude oils worth Rs 90,000 crore in 2002, he pointed out.

Goenka said that the country had around 30 million hectares of waste land which could used to cultivate energy plants.

As the central and the Andhra Pradesh governments were formulating policies to encourage bio-fuels, the chamber had decided to throw open the opportunities for the farmers to grow bio-fuel plants.

Several experts would speak on the potential financial benefits of growing the three tree oil plants of jatropha, pongamia and simarouba.

They would also make presentations on the best farming practices to be adopted for these plants, he said. Apart from the oil, the by-products of the plantscould fetch additional income to the farmers, he added.

N Raghuram, managing consultant of Sampada Farms, said some unscrupulous firms were selling jatropha at over Rs 18 per seedling.

They were simply sourcing plant material from across the country and selling at inflated costs. The plantlet would not cost more than Rs 5 inclusive of all expenses, he noted.