No Opportunity But High Risk In Jatropha!!!
Dear Nandkumar,
I talked to Southern Railways who are pioneering Jatropha cultivation told me that yield of the seed crops is between 1T to 3T per hectare. The procurement rate fixed for the crop is Rs.5/- per kg. So you will get mere Rs. 5,000/- to Rs.15,000/- per hectare return. If you account for labor and own effort you get
nothing from the venture.
But if after a year or two there are few death due to adulteration of the Jatropha with Edible Oils resulting in deaths, Supreme Court or State Government may even ban cultivation and processing of the crops investors will be ruined.
I have posted links to Daimler Chrysler site- The yield of processed & refined oil is 1300 kg from 8000 kg of seeds. This is half of projections in Government brochures. So you can straight away assume viability is seriously challenged.
Now come the issue of de-oiled extracts. Even if after treatment to neutralize “Poison” in the seeds, I don’t think animals will consume it. Animals are smarter than people.
Palm oil is a very good alternative to Jatropha though I am not familiar with its cultivation that give 6T of Oil or 10 times of Jatropha. If you could provide 1-2 irrigations Sugar Cane is excellent for Ethanol production. TN is ideal for Palm Oil cultivation.
India can easily switch to Ethanol cultivation but Mani Shankar in one
seminar informed that Taxes on petroleum yield 1,00,000 crores which the Government may not like to give up that run corruption machine.
So all kind of alternatives available.
Regards,
Ravinder
"Nandkumar" <nandup_in@...> -----
Helllo Ravinder,
I never said that the Jatropha is the best solution.
Neither, I am against any other alternative solution.
I will be very happy, in case, Jatropha is dropped; because, other better solution is available.
It is for the experts and finally for the Government to decide and implement what is best for India.
You have every right to oppose the Government and her policy.
Also, I have an equal right to support this Government, wherever I feel that is necessary.
For your kind information, I am neither a Government Officer nor a Politician.
I am a Technocrat, and I see enough opportunity in Jatropha, so I support it.
If you think, I am going to lose money in this venture, than you are welcome to advise me.
About other points in your letter, I will reply later.
With regards,
Nandkumar
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