Biofuel— meeting the needs of dryland farmers

Soaring prices of fossil-fuels and environmental pollution associated with their use, have resulted in an increased worldwide interest in the production and use of bio-fuel. The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru in Andhra Pradesh, is playing a major role in bringing poor and marginal dryland farmers into the global biofuel revolution without compromising on food security.

Its innovative research on biodiesel from pongamia and jatropha plants, provides livelihood and food security to a number of ryots while reducing the dependence on fossil fuels.
Both Jatropha and Pongamia meet the main needs of dryland farmers, as they require little water, can withstand stress and are inexpensive to cultivate, according to Dr. Suhas P. Wani, Principal Scientist and Regional Theme Co-ordinator, ICRISAT.

ICRISAT’s research on bio-diesel from pongamia and jatropha crops, is not only ensuring energy, livelihood and food security to these dryland farmers, but also reduces the use of fossil fuels, which in turn can help in mitigating climate change, according to him.

The institute is working with governments and industry leaders to develop partnerships that can result in economic benefit for the marginal farmers of the semi-arid tropics, even while retaining the strong economic competitiveness for the industry.

The idea is to develop partnerships that link ICRISAT’s innovative research with farmers and markets. “We call this our pro-poor biofuels initiative for the dryland farmers without compromising on food security,” says Dr. William Dar, Director General of ICRISAT.

The Hindu