Sponsor(s): B P Technology Centre(BPTC)
Start Date: February 2006
BP and TERI have taken up a large-scale bio-diesel demonstration project in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. The major objective of the project is to demonstrate the viability of bio-diesel production on a large scale while addressing all the challenges and learning opportunities from all aspects of the supply chain -- from cultivation to processing and end use. The major steps involved in the establishment of the demonstration project include:
(1) Development of seedlings, nursery, and plantation of high yielding varieties of Jatropha (for variable conditions) on an economic basis.
(2) Identification of near contiguous plots of land with a wide variability in soil types, cultivation practices, irrigation needs, fertilizer inputs etc. for placement under plantation.
(3) Determining, and putting in place, acceptable contractual terms for farmers to participate in this project while protecting their short term and long term prospects.
(4) Testing of different models of plantation
(5) Environmental and Social Impact Assessment so that the project has no negative impact.
(6) Identification of sustainable mechanisms for collection of seed and its transport to the expelling/trans-esterification Centres that would maximise returns to the local economy. ?Setting up of oil expelling and trans-esterification units.
(7) Developing an institutional model for long term ownership of assets and management of the programme.
(8) Determining markets for the biodiesel and by-products.
(9) Training facilities and planning for farmers and workers to be engaged in
the production centers.
