TNAU Takes Initiatives for Establishing BioFuel Plantations

TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) has made proposals for initiating and establishing biofuel plantations with financial support from the Central government of India. Biofuels, both ethanol and biodiesel, are gaining global acceptance as solutions for problems such as environmental degradation and energy security.

In the energy industry, biological raw materials and fuel from biological origin sources have proved to be ideal substitutes for oil. Extracting oil from TBO (Tree Borne Oilseeds) such as Jatropha, Simarouba, Pungam and Neem has the potential towards providing a commercially viable and promising alternative to diesel.

The entire expenses of proposed plantations of Jatropha for the next three years would be borne by TNAU. Income derived from such plantations will be enjoyed by organisations and departments that provide the land. If the proposed land is in excess of 100 hectares or in clusters, a separate biodiesel production and processing plant is to be established with support from the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Sources.