Kalam calls for national mission on biodiesel – The Hindu Business Line, Hyderabad, June 11, 2006

The President, Mr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, has favoured a special taxation policy for making biodiesel attractive to the producers, since it provides many social benefits like rural employment and creates clean environment.

He called for national mission on biodiesel to realise 60 million tonnes of production per year by 2030. As a first step, plans should be ready to produce 6 million tonnes (5 per cent of present oil import) per year by 2010.

Speaking here at the concluding session of the two-day conference on biodiesel towards energy independence held at the Rastrapathi Nilayam, Mr Kalam said five large industries should be identified in biodiesel production and links established with 3-4 research and development labs to optimise the value chain.

`Priority for Jatropha'

There was a need to create a national mission for biodiesel at the Centre and biodiesel boards at the State level, so that all stakeholders could work in a coordinated manner. He wanted an appropriate name for biodiesel to be found, according to an official press release.

Mr. Kalam said biodiesel plants using palm oil should switch over to jatropha. A few States had started working with farmers and this model needs to be followed by others. He asked scientists to carryout tissue culture of jatropha for multiplying good plants in different parts of the country.

The conference was attended by officials from various Central and State ministries, scientists and farmers who discussed their experience on jatropha plant and various issues involved.