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Rajya Sabha
For promotion of bio-diesel production, Jatropha curcas has been identified as a suitable plant for extensive cultivation. Since this plant is a new introduction in the country and has no history of cultivation as a mono-crop and relevant data base on varieties, agronomic practices, productivity etc. is presently lacking, the Ministry of Rural Development has submitted a Detailed Project Report(DPR) for approval of the Planning Commission to launch a demonstration project, under which Jatropha cultivation would be taken up on 4 lakh hectares in various States, primarily on degraded forest lands and Panchayat/community wastelands. If this demonstration project proves successful, Jatropha plantations would be taken up on a large scale on private lands also at a later date. The desirability of providing suitable incentives to private growers of Jatropha would be considered at that time.
This information was given by Shri A. Narendra, Minister of State for Rural Development in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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