Lumads: militarization is number one problem
Sunday, 01 March 2009 10:03

Mora narrated the expansion of  plantations of  jatropha aside from
pineapple and banana.

She cited the alleged 500-hectare expansion of jatropha plantation in
Malungon, Sarangani by the Sarangani Biofuels Corporation (SBC) headed
by and organized by Governor Migs Dominguez. Dominguez said he has no
idea what SBC is.

Mora said hundreds of hectares are being planted to jatropha and other
export crops instead of crops for food security.

http://www.mindanews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6002&Itemid=5\
0

42 kids ill

Patthalgaon | Tuesday, Feb 17 2009 IST

Forty-two children were taken ill today after consuming jatropha
(ratanjot) seeds at this district's Madanpur village.

The victims were admitted to the Patthalgaon Health Centre.

http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20090217/1179548.html

41 children admitted to hospital after eating Jatropha seeds

Korba (PTI): As many as 41 students of a primary school here fell ill
after consuming Jatropha seeds in Jashpur district in Chhattisgarh,
school authorities said on Wednesday.

According to Shanti Singh, the headmistress of the school in
Madanpur-Injko village, eight children began vomiting yesterday
afternoon and the number went up to 41. All of them were rushed to a
primary health centre (PHC), Singh said.

The children told hospital authorities that they had eaten Jatropha
seeds while on their way to school, Singh added.

Meanwhile, PHC physician J Ming said that all children were out of
danger and recuperating at the hospital.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200902181682.htm

38 children take ill after eating jatropha seeds
February 18th, 2009 - 8:52 pm ICT by IANS - Send to a friend:

Raipur, Feb 18 (IANS) At least 38 children of a government primary
school in Chhattisgarh were rushed to a hospital after eating jatropha
seeds, officials said Wednesday.
The incident took place Tuesday in village Madanpur in Jashpur
district, some 450 km from here, when children while on their way home
from school consumed the seeds.

Health officials at Jashpur district said that 12 of the kids, all
below nine years of age, vomited consistently. But doctors said they
were out of danger Wednesday evening.

Jatropha is a plant that grows up to three metres and produces
inedible fruits. Several states, including Chhattisgarh, have planted
its saplings in millions in a bid to extract bio-fuel from it.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/38-children-take-ill-after-eat\
ing-jatropha-seeds_100156812.html

Nine Chhattisgarh children in hospital after eating jatropha seeds

February 16th, 2009 - 2:24 pm ICT by IANS  -     Send to a friend:

Raipur, Feb 16 (IANS) At least nine children, including three girls,
were rushed to a hospital when they fell unconscious after eating
jatropha seeds in a Chhattisgarh village, a health official said here
Monday.

The children, all below 13, ate the seeds Sunday evening while playing
in Mandlaur village in Raipur district.

Village headman Chaitram Devangan took the children to a government
hospital in Abhanpur. The children are now reported to be out of
danger but have been kept under observation, the health official added.

Jatropha is a plant that grows up to three metres and produces
inedible fruits. Several states, including Chhattisgarh, have been
planting its saplings in millions in a bid to extract bio-fuel from it.

Some agricultural scientists said eating two seeds would act as a
purgative while four or more could cause death.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/nine-chhattisgarh-children-in-\
hospital-after-eating-jatropha-seeds_100155674.html

Regional council gives thumbs down to jatropha

Friday 13 Feb 09 9:00am

A regional council charged with protecting 1.25 million hectares of
New Zealand says we shouldn’t grow jatropha..

Jatropha curcas is becoming increasingly popular as source crop for
biofuel, with Air New Zealand selecting it as the source of its
aviation biofuel, but the Northland Regional Council is urging
landowners not to grow jatropha curcas, a biofuel source crop, because
it has the potential to be an invasive weed in the region.

http://www.carbonnews.co.nz/story.asp?storyID=2812

Dear Group Members,

    Daily Navabharat (Raipur edition) from Indian state Chhattisgarh
has published the report on Jatropha failure. After investment of
millions authorities have nothing, neither oil nor Jatropha plant to
show as gain. The opposition has blamed the government for this
cheating. Common people are aware of this scam since long. Here is
link to Hindi news.

http://navabharat.org/12feb09/page10/news.php?img=news2.jpg



Pankaj Oudhia

Land "wasted" for fuel as millions go hungry

Far from being a miracle alternative energy solution, agrofuels are a
dead end with disastrous consequences for developing countries,
Swissaid has claimed.

http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Land_wasted_for_fuel_as_millions_go_hungr\
y.html?siteSect=201&sid=10314895&cKey=1234344121000&ty=st

Mohali to launch awarness campaign

MOHALI: Acting promptly after 24 children were hospitalized after they
consumed poisonous seeds of jatropha, district health authorities have
decided to launch an awareness campaign in schools to prevent any
future occurrence of this kind.

On Saturday, 24 school students in Parol village, near Mullanpur,
landed in civil hospital after they ate the toxic seeds of jatropha
reportedly planted near their school. Timely medical aid ensured that
the kids, who suffered symptoms of food poisoning , were saved, but
the fact that such plants could possibly snuff out young lives has
made the administration act fast.

Mohali district health officer Dr SPS Surila said he would write to
district education officer, advising him to spread awareness in
schools. “As kids have soft intestines, ingestion of wild seeds or
poisonous fruits can lead to diarrhoea and other serious
complications. This can even prove fatal,” he added. He added
youngsters needed to be advised against consuming fruits growing in
the wild and it was the responsibility of school teachers to do so.

Dr Surila said medical officers in respective blocks would also be
asked to spread awareness by educating teachers about the
complications that might result due to consumption of such eatables.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/Mohali_to_launch_awarness_campaign\
/articleshow/4096376.cms

Jatropha feast lands 24 kids in hospital

  MOHALI: Their afternoon march home turned painful for 24 school
students who had to be hospitalized after they consumed poisonous seeds of
jatropha plant, on Saturday afternoon near Mullanpur in the district.
The kids, with ages ranging from three to 13, were returning home when
they passed by a jatropha plant near a brick kiln adjoining their
school in Parol village.

Tempted by the prospect of biting into the fruit that looked like
almond, one of the children plucked some seeds. “He was soon followed
by others who had their fill of the innocuous-looking kernels,” said
district health officer Dr SPS Surila.

Hardly a few moments had passed when the kids began vomiting and
complaining of abdominal pains, severe headache and dizziness. “They
were rushed during afternoon hours with symptoms of food poisoning.
Most of them were vomiting blood and had severe stomach pain,” senior
medical officer at Mohali civil hospital Dr HS Sarang said. He added
immediate medical aid was administered by the parents and doctors who
had rushed to the spot. “The kids were made to drink water and then
were taken to a nearby dispensary,” he said. However, sources said
health officials at the district headquarters were alerted only after
one of the teachers came to know about the students’ condition. Mohali
deputy commissioner PS Mand told TOI the students were out of danger.
“But we will check whether they consumed the fruit during school
hours. Responsibility will be fixed only after proper verification as
it would be improper to comment further without verifying details,” he
added.

Gautam, whose younger sister Shaifali was taken ill after eating
jatropha seeds, said, “She began throwing up immediately after
reaching home and we took her to civil hospital.” Sunil, who brother
and sister are also admitted, said they had abdominal pain
and were feeling faint. Lying on a hospital bed, Arti, 8, said she was
tempted by the sweet-tasting seeds.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chandigarh/Jatropha_feast_lands_24_kids_in_ho\
spital/articleshow/4093668.cms

Message From USA

Dear Pankaj,

I have just found the details of your work on the web. I am working on
various
molecular biology aspects of Jatropha and it is exciting to see that
you have
some documented evidence of allelopathic interactions of jatropha to
rice. I
tried calling your land line but could not get you and I guess you
were out of
the range area of your mobile as well when I tried that - anyway, the
bottom
line is I am very interested in your work and would like to talk to
you about
it and if possible have a copy of your documents on the allelopathy
affects of
Jatropha.

Hope to hear back from you soon.
Regards

***

=========

My comments: You can get desired information through my research
articles in Ecoport. For effects of Jatropha on Pigeonpea, see this
research paper.

http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=reference&ReferenceID=556604


regards

Pankaj Oudhia

Message from Zambia

Dear Dr Oudhia,

We have recently had a case where a small plantation of Jatropha was
completely defoliated within a three weeks by a flea beetle. We are
still trying to identify the insect (Coleoptera) that caused the
damage. Have you heard of other cases where insects defoliate Jatropha?

***

=========

My Comments: Please send the pictures of insect/s. I will try to
identify it. Although media is still publishing that Jatropha is pest
resistance but in India, dozens of different species of insects are
damaging Jatropha. It is also acting as alternate host for many
insects harmful for agricultural crops.

regards

Pankaj Oudhia

Message from USA

Planting 30 million hectares  of Jatropha curcas  sounds like a
disaster waiting to take off!!!

With Australia describing it as invasive and Hawaii PIER ’ s risk
assessment rejecting it; I hope this plant never crosses the ocean to
North America.

With a wide range of tolerances including frost and arid conditions,
could they actually confine it and guarantee no escape?

Unlikely

As someone who works with disturbance areas like roadsides, I truly
hope they reconsider.  This plant has characteristics of invasives
that cost us greatly in parklands, farmlands, wetlands, woodlands, and
more.  I suspect that economics will win; but we will all pay the
price eventually.

Sincerely,

***

------------------

My comments: Thanks for your support. Researchers are aware of Bare
facts about Jatropha but planners are ignoring their warnings. In
India, after all warnings planners planted Jatropha and now the
stories of Jatropha failure, frauds and scams are coming in surface.
Few people enjoyed (and enjoying) from hard earnings of common public.


regards

Pankaj Oudhia

Question from Mumbai, India.

Dear sir,
I read your posts in bio- diesel forum and came to know about your
'say no to jatropha' initiative. It is really shocking to observe that
jatropha plantation is being promoted at the govt. level and given
huge subsidies(waste of public money) ignoring the harmful effects of
jatropha on human health and ecosystem in general.

I hereby request you to send me as much material in text and research
papers regarding toxicity caused by jatropha(plant and products
derived from it) and ecological imbalance it is going to cause due to
large scale plantations, via email as possible and oblige. I can
assure you that this information will be used only for creating
awareness among potential farmers and if possible among policy makers
in the govt.

Regards.

Sincerely yours,

****
========

My comments: Thanks for your message and interest. You can get my
contributions on negative aspects of Jatropha from these sources.

1. Botanical.com

http://botanical.com/site/column_poudhia/poudhia_index.html

2. Ecoport

http://ecoport.org/ep?Plant=1297&entityType=PL****&entityDisplayCategory=eArticl\
es

3. My homepage

http://www.pankajoudhia.com

4. CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity)

Recent Publications in CGBD

http://cgbiodiversity.blogspot.com/2009/01/research-publications-in-cgbd.html

Films, lectures and Hindi articles are also in CGBD.

These days I am compiling over 20,000 pictures showing negative
aspects of Jatropha. My wish is to present it online in form of slide
show.

For updates keep visiting "Say No To Jatropha" yahoogroup.


regards

Pankaj Oudhia

Dear Group Members,

      Due to tens of online articles on Jatropha I receive hundreds of
mails every week. Readers around the world are eager to know more
about Jatropha. It is not possible to answer all queries in detail.
Due to my work of Traditional knowledge documentation, I get little
time to answer these queries. The reports on Type II Diabetes (Current
size: plus 200 GB), Medicinal Rice (Current size: plus 150 GB) and
Cancer (Started recently) are in full swing.

Therefore, I have decided to give reply to selected queries through
this group.

Pankaj Oudhia

D1 Oils sees full-year loss wider than expected

  Feb 4 (Reuters) - British biofuels technology company D1 Oils Plc
(DOO.L) said on Wednesday its full-year loss would be greater than
expected due to impairment charges related to the closure of its
biodiesel refineries.

The company said it had reduced the holding value of its UK refining
assets at Middlesbrough and Bromborough by about 3.5 million pounds
($5.02 million) due to a delay in their sale as potential buyers were
unable to raise debt finance.

D1 Oils said in continued to talk with a number of interested parties
for the sale of the assets.

The company closed the refineries last year to concentrate on a
venture with BP (BP.L) to develop a non-edible crop, jatropha, as a
biofuels feedstock.

D1 Oils said total planting of jatropha was about 257,000 hectares as
on Dec. 31. This was lower than its previous expectations of 300,000
hectares.

The company provides services for the breeding, development, planting
and harvesting of new varieties of commercial biofuel crops.

D1 Oils' shares, which have lost more than 90 percent of their value
in the past one year, closed at 10.25 pence on Tuesday. ($1=.6977
Pound) (Reporting by Balachander Surianarayanan in Bangalore; Editing
by Gopakumar Warrier)

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssEnergyNews/idUSBNG34604920090204

Biofuel From Algae Holds Up Against Other Alternative Fuels

Biofuel from algae is not a loud noise in the challenge to find
alternative fuels. But it will be. Algae biofuel offers us a great
deal of hope in our battle against fossil fuels.


Hybrid electric automobiles typically steal most of the spotlight when
it comes to the idea of ‘green’ vehicles, cars which reduce their
environmental impact by consuming small amounts of gasoline or
limiting the emissions produced by their operation. Gasoline /
electric hybrids certainly lead this charge, but bringing up the rear
are an entire host of alternative fuels which promise to provide a
similar driving experience with either ultra-clean emissions or no
emissions at all. The contenders include ethanol produced from corn or
other vegetable matter, biodiesel which also originates from plants,
or even propane and natural gas.

One type of fuel which rarely sees mention also happens to be one
which appears to offer a great deal of promise for the future. Algae,
a type of plant life that is found in abundance in oceans all over the
world, can actually produce a significant amount of natural oil that
can be used as a fuel source. Marine algae is not familiar to most
North American drivers, but in Asian countries where the population
has a closer relationship to the sea algae and other types of ocean
agriculture are nothing new. Recent investments in the development of
algae-based fuels have been brought on by the increase in fossil fuel
prices, and some of the results have been staggering.

It turns out that not only is marine algae a viable fuel source, but
it also packs a much more concentrated punch than other biofuels. In
fact, it is estimated that compared to the most potent fuel crops
grown on land, algae can squeeze 30 times more energy out of a single
acre. Advances in marine agriculture have created algae farms where
special growing tubes can help produce 100,000 gallons of oil out of a
single acre.

These impressive numbers have drawn a lot of attention in the
alternative fuel community, and for good reason. Aquatic agriculture
does not use huge amounts of landmass like corn growing does, allowing
that area to be put to better use growing foodstuffs or sustaining
livestock. Algae is also fairly inexpensive to cultivate, requiring
only water, sunlight and the right conditions to propagate quickly. It
can also use water that has been deemed too polluted for standard
agriculture without affecting its yield - even raw sewage. This helps
to ensure that algae growth will not absorb resources which could be
better used in other areas of the economy.

The price of breaking free from the traditional fossil fuel chains
that encircle the world’s economy is innovation, and looking towards
algae-base initiatives seems to point towards an answer that is not
only effective, but also non-destructive to the environment. The rapid
growth of algae helps to ensure that establishing an infrastructure of
oil-producing plants would take a very reasonable amount of time, and
its hardiness means that even cities, historically not associated with
agriculture would be able to house algae production facilities.
Mankind emerged from the ocean millions of years ago, and it seems as
though the circle of evolution has been closed once again as we now
look back to the sea for the answer to our future.

http://news.carjunky.com/environmental/biofuel-from-algae-holds-up-against-alter\
native-fuels-cdh596.shtml

JATROPHA: Toxic seeds could fool children

Today 9:00am

The toxic seed of the jatropha plant �" used to make biofuel -  might
be attractive to children, warns a New Zealand scientist.

The Institute for Plant and Food Research new crops scientist, Bruce
Smallfield, told Carbon News that jatropha seeds are said to have a
pleasant taste that makes them attractive to children.

http://www.carbonnews.co.nz/story.asp?storyID=2753

Here is link to related news.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=0f029e0d-89ef-4dd7-b1e\
d-70f3ea888a7c&&Headline=%27Jatropha+harmful+for+kids%27


Pankaj Oudhia

What's That Smell? :: Airlines Begin Testing Biofuel on Flights

The efforts to greenovate the friendly skies continue according to USA
Today, which notes that airlines, the government and environmentalists
have teamed up to experiment with concoctions of chicken fat or the
same poisonous plants used by Air New Zealand, but the long-term hope
for US carriers lies in utilizing algae. Pond scum may seem like a
weak choice, but in actuality it is perfect for our jetsetting ways:
it grows super quick, contains a busload of nutrients and can flourish
in environment.

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/1/27/9512/39412/travel/What%27s+That+Smell%3F+\
%3A%3A+Airlines+Begin+Testing+Biofuel+on+Flights

30 kids take ill after eating jatropha seeds

SURENDRANAGAR: Over 30 primary school students at Prabhugarh in
Dhrangadhra taluka fell ill after they ate seeds of Ratan jyot' fruit
(jatropha
gossypiflora, also known as belly ache bush) from the village park on
Tuesday.

Parents rushed them to nearby Rajsitapur, where doctors
advised them to go to Surendranagar hospital. Nearly 20 children are
still undergoing treatment there.

During recess, some students went to the village park. They tasted the
seeds and spread the word that they were sweet. More students plucked
the seeds and ate them. Soon, all of them started vomiting, said police.

This recurrent episode in the district has worried citizens, who have
asked for measures to create awareness against the toxic seeds. About
two months ago, in a similar incident, several children had taken ill
after eating these plants, which are grown aplenty in this region.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Rajkot/30_kids_take_ill_after_eating_jatropha\
_seeds/articleshow/4038321.cms

Health inspectors act
A combined team of Seed and Plant Health inspectors from the Ministry
of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Environmental Council of
Zambia officers have destroyed about one tonne of illegally imported
agricultural inputs at Chirundu Border Post.

The inputs that included Jatropha, Caster Sun hemp, Sorghum, Soya bean
and unidentified legume seeds were imported and brought into the
country illegally by unidentified traders from China and India.

Another consignment containing about 85 litres of herbicide from
Zimbabwe was also destroyed by the inspectors.

Plant Health Inspector Justine Kalaba said the destruction of
illegally imported seed was done in a bid to avoid the introduction of
foreign pests and crop diseases.

Mr. Kalaba said the move will also teach traders to follow the law
when importing agricultural commodities.

He said allowing imports of agricultural materials would be costly to
the government as fighting diseases and pests require a lot of money.


http://www.znbc.co.zm/media/news/viewnews.cgi?category=13&id=1232985825

Farmers fear fuel-source jatropha will kill stock

Today 9:00am


Plans to grow the biofuel stock plant jatropha in New Zealand could
run into opposition from farmers who fear it could kill their animals
and become another “gorse”.

http://www.carbonnews.co.nz/story.asp?storyID=2727

Thanks Rina ji for forwarding this message. As you know, Indian state
Chhattisgarh is known as rice bowl of India. Once it was famous for
its traditional and medicinal rice types. Now new varieties are under
cultivation. These new varieties have been released without studying
its effects on human health. Highly paid researchers have not done it
but Indian Traditional Healers have done it. They are aware of food
qualities of each and every new rice. For instance, patients having
bleeding piles are suggested by them to avoid use of new rice variety
1010. It is popular among farmers in terms of production but it is
considered harmful for health. I have written detailed Hindi article
on this aspect. It is online at

http://pratikriyaa.blogspot.com/2009/01/82.html

And just ignore the missile man. Jatropha has taken lives of 5
children and sent thousands of children to hospital but this man is
still requesting children to plant Jatropha in schools.

regards

Pankaj Oudhia

--- In jatropha@..., rina mukherji <rina_mukherji@...>
wrote:
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 1/26/09, Arun1951 <arun1951@...> wrote:
>
> From: Arun1951 <arun1951@...>
> Subject: Re: [IHRO] Destructive Doctor
> To: IHRO@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, January 26, 2009, 10:45 AM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Friends,
> �
> In the New Delhi press conference, following Jeffrey Smith's book
launch [Delhi event], Dr PM Bhargava was also present. The event was
jointly organized by Deccan Development Society and Bhartiya Krishak
Samaj. It is worth noting what Dr Bhargava, one of world's leading
molecular biologist said, and he�told the press to quote him: (a) At
least 30 rigorous tests for allegenicity and toxicity, etc., are
required before genetically engineered crops�should even be called
"safe;" (b) Ideally,�genetically engineered crops should not be
allowed in the open environment because biological contamination is
irreversible and intensifies over time and space. and (c) the Genetic
Engineering Approvals Committee [GEAC], an inter-ministerial body�has
completely ignored the health aspect and has approved seeds that would
contaminate our farmers' saved seeds, contaminate living beings
[micro, meso andmacro flora and fauna in the soil, aquatic life and
the wider
>  environment] Most importantly, what he said should be noted by
every one: in genetically enegineered food, fibre and feed crops, the
particular types of genes that have been inserted causes a plant
itself to behave like pesticide,�can alter human gut bacteria that
helps in digestion. The autopsy of 13 buffalos that died after grazing
on Bt cotton fields, showed undigested plant material. According to Dr
Bhargava, the bacteria that assists digestion were compromised; the
digestive system was upset/turned off. �
> �
> Jeffrey, a journalist, has done extraordinary work by compiling 65
known health problems in his Genetic Roulette. The Indian version is
priced at Rs 475 [roughly under 10 dollars] and it is highly readable
book.
> �
> Dr Kalam is utterly stupid for having said what he said. That is the
mildest term one can use. He should know that genetically engineered
seeds neither increase yield, nor prevent crop damage from pests, nor
I have come across even one serious study on nutrition [nutritive
content] of food crops. It is as yet an imprefect technology and its
sole purpose is to contaminate our seeds, contaminate our food, take
control over seeds by invoking patent protection.
> �
> In the US, genetically engineered foods have been illegally pushed
into the market since 1993. It is already showing adverse health
impacts there. The key point is this: most super market foods are
processed foods. If thoroughly cooked, engineered foods can't be as
harmful as uncooked foods. But here in India we eat salad, chutney and
pickles on a daily basis...UNCOOKED. It will devastate our population.
> �
> It should be banned in India as well as South Asia.
> Sincerely
> Arun Shrivastava
> �
>
>
> �
> On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 9:39 AM, psn.1946 <psn.1946@gmail. com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Dr. Abdul Kalam said in Chennai on Sunday: "Genetically modified
crops were likely to become more wide-spread in five to ten years and
could improve productivity."
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Smith [Director, Institute of Responsible Technology,
USA and author of Seeds of Deception & Genetic Roulette] currently
touring India said in Bhubaneswar on Sunday:
>
> Healthy Eating starts with NO GMOs.
>
> He documented the Health Risks of Genetically Modified Foods. And he
destroyed the myth that GM crops bring better yield.
>
> Animals fed GM crops had changes in:
>
> 1. Blood clot factors.
> 2. Food and water consumption.
> 3. Weight.
> 4. Liver size.
> 5. Milk production.
> 6. Diarrhea
> 7. Fertility.
>
> www.Responsible Technology.org
>

Indian biodiesel companies facing the heat
25 Jan 2009, 0004 hrs IST, Nidhi Nath Srinivas, ET Bureau


companies always wanted to be players in the global green fuel market.
Most are 100% export units. But a near-death experience
over the last one year has now made the sector start singing a
different tune. The new theme song is “Country roads, take me home.”

A lethal combination of non-tariff barriers in Europe, crashing crude
oil prices, global recession and misplaced faith in political will
have pushed Indian biofuels out of the world market and left
bottomlines comatose. Now older and much wiser, their latest business
plan is all about looking inwards.

The perfect example of this makeover is Naturol BioEnergy, India’s
first fully integrated bio-diesel plant that can make 300 tonnes fuel
daily using a wide range of feedstocks, from crude palm (CPO) and
rapeseed oil, to jatropha oil and fatty acids. As CPO is the world’s
cheapest fat, Naturol believed it had an edge.
Located in Kakinada SEZ, the company was all set to export to US and
Europe-based MNCs. Last June, when the first 10,000-t cargo head to
Europe, things looked upbeat. Then its world came crashing down. The
two top markets tanked.

To protect local rapeseed oil-based biodiesel plants, Germany said
cheaper biodiesel from CPO and soya was ecologically unsustainable.
USA too decided that imported biodiesel which gets re-exported won’t
be eligible for a subsidy. It also installed quality checks that made
it virtually impossible for palm-based biodiesel to pass. “It was the
end of business as we knew it,’’ says Bhaskar Chalasani, CEO and
managing director. By October 2008, the company was on its knees.

To some extent this turn of events was inevitable. It was rather naive
to expect foreign governments to allow cheaper imports when local
industry is struggling even with large dollops of subsidy. More
importantly, the business model itself was flawed. Anyone planning to
import CPO from Malaysia/Indonesia and export biodiesel to Europe and
US is asking for trouble because India has no natural advantage in
either raw material cost, processing cost, or logistics. Pitted
against Malaysia, Brazil, EU and US biodiesel players, India was a goner.

At this point in their life cycle, most companies expect the
government to kiss and make it better, or head for BIFR. Naturol did
something smarter. It decided to turn to the local market. As first
step, it is getting rid of the EOU status. Other players are following
suit. “It was a good opportunity in adversity,’’ says Chalasani.

Three things make local markets “the best”. One, demand is at your
doorstep with no threat from non-tariff barriers. Kakinada alone uses
30,000 t diesel a month. Two, it needs less cash. “We could only
export in cargoes of 5,000-10,000 t, which tied up almost Rs 80 cr in
working capital. Now we manage with just Rs 15 cr,’’ says Chalasani.

Three, there is wider choice of feedstock. Europe doesn’t import
biodiesel made from stearin �" a fatty acid �" as it freezes quickly.
But for India the company can use both CPO or stearin, depending on
which is cheaper.
These advantages are now attracting biodiesel companies like moths to
light. Naturol has begun selling neat biodiesel (E100) to truck
fleets, priced 50 paise cheaper than Indian Oil. Their engines can use
any fuel meeting BIS standards. “At current MRP of Rs 35/l, we make
net margin of Rs 4/l. The delta is very good,’’ says Chalasani. His
production is slowly limping back to normal.

His rivals are also scouting for local bulk buyers such as gensets
users, and telecom companies for their towers. No one wants to sell to
oil companies due to sales tax. Andhra has no sales tax on biodiesel
but levies 14% on diesel. When you sell to an oil company for
blending, it is taxed as diesel, says a market watcher.

So far the pickings look good. The biodiesel industry is convinced it
will be shortly out of the woods. But can this bubbly feeling last?
The top concern will be competition from diesel. If the government
cuts diesel prices sharply, costing could go for a toss as neither CPO
nor stearin prices will decline simultaneously.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Indian_biodiesel_companies_facing_th\
e_heat/articleshow/4027880.cms

Dear Group Members,

    Here is the lit of recent research publications on Jatropha and
Pongamia.

Oudhia, P. (2009). Medicinal uses of Indian biodiesel plant Pongamia
pinnata. CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur,
India.

Oudhia, P. (2009). Indigenous flora having negative impacts on growth
of Jatropha curcas.  CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh
Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2009). Why Jatropha is no more effective live fence in
Indian state Chhattisgarh? CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh
Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2009). Recent cases of Jatropha toxicity in Indian cattle.
CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2009). Major diseases affecting Jatropha curcas population
in Indian state Chhattisgarh. CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh
Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). Interactions with children affected by Jatropha
poisoning in different parts of India. CGBD (Offline Database on
Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). Why Jatropha plantations are becoming great failure
in Indian wastelands? : Comments as Agronomist. CGBD (Offline Database
on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). Twenty indigenous ways to protect Indian biodiesel
plant Pongamia pinnata from problematic insects and diseases. CGBD
(Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). That’s how Jatropha is posing threat on Indian bird
diversity. CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity),
Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). Possible ways of reaching Jatropha poison curcin in
cow milk. CGBD (Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity),
Raipur, India.

Oudhia, P. (2008). Behavior response of wild herbivores to Jatropha
curcas population in dense forests of Indian state Chhattisgarh.  CGBD
(Offline Database on Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.



Pankaj Oudhia

http://knol.google.com/k/pankaj-oudhia/pankaj-oudhia/3nerdtj3s9l79/1

Oudhia, P.(2009). Films/film strips: Failure of Jatropha plantation in
Sunderkera village, Chhattisgarh, India. CGBD (Offline Database on
Chhattisgarh Biodiversity), Raipur, India.


For recent Films/film strips by Pankaj Oudhia, please visit

http://cgbiodiversity.blogspot.com/


Pankaj Oudhia

Another case of Jatropha poisoning in India.

http://www4.jagran.com/main.aspx?edate=4/15/2008&editioncode=15&pageno=15#



Pankaj Oudhia

I wish you all a happy new year 2009 !

http://site.voila.fr/pboulerie/voeux/bonne_annee_2009.html


PS If you speak French, you will see that someone has warned on
http://planetebleue.canalblog.com/archives/2005/06/10/563648.html that
jatropha is very toxic ("tr�s toxique").


I have also just posted this :

"Attention, le jatropha est une plante toxique, qui a tu� des gens !

Jatropha is toxic and has killed people, especially children !"
on the following blog page :


http://www.leblogenergie.com/2008/12/jatropha-et-dve.html