Date:15/06/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/06/15/stories/2005061501361700.htm

Back Take up bio-diesel plantation: AP CM

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , June 14

THE Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has directed officials to take up bio-diesel plantation with jatropha in 40,000 hectares on a trial basis during the current year in the 10 districts of rain shadow area.

He was reviewing the progress of cloud seeding operations, 2005, and bio-diesel plantations. Dr Reddy called upon the officials to procure best seedlings and carry out best farm practices under bio-diesel plantation after identifying good farmers.

He wanted them to encourage jatropha plantation in dry lands also by implementing drip irrigation method with 90 per cent subsidy to the farmer.

On the cloud seeding operations, the officials said the radars had arrived and were ready for installation to launch the cloud seeding programme in Anantapur district from June 15. Regarding bio-diesel plants, the Chief Minister was informed that as the proposed plantations were being taken in areas having assured irrigation sources, these plantations would act as demonstration plots for other farmers in those districts.

For plantations, taken up in the fields of below poverty level families, the Government would bear all expenditure from ongoing programmes such as Indira Prabha and Watershed, the officials said.

The Chief Minister was also informed that a comprehensive action plan to undertake required research on Jatropha is under implementation involving premier research institutions such as CRIDA, ANGRAU, NBPGRI, ICRISAT and DOR.

The Managing Director and CEO of Naturol Bio Energy Ltd, Mr C.S. Bhaskar, who is setting up a processing unit at Kakinada, made a presentation of their model and also requested to consider reducing the land price fixed by APIIC. The Chief Minister agreed to look into the matter.