Biofuel Scenario in India

This is an excellent article by R S KUREEL, Director, National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board, Gurgaon, Haryana,which gives a very comprehensive view of the work that is presently being done in India through government initiatives .....

In this article,R S KUREEL, Director, National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils Development Board, Gurgaon, Haryana, India has defined the term biofuel which includes both bio ethanol and biodiesel. The source of each fuel and the advantages of each over the fossil fuel. He has discussed the government initiatives in this sector and its plans for the future.

He has also explained in detail the research and development activities undertaken by the various research organizations in the country.Finally the aricle has been concluded with the subheading expected outcome of the biofuel program. Some of which are quoted below:

• "It would generate employment in the rural areas besides,increasing income of tribal and landless labourers as these tree borne oilseed resources are not only the mainstay of tribal, but also provide livelihood.
• This will generate regular employment opportunity to about 6–8 million unemployed people annually and will also enhance the socio-economic status of rural poor masses including tribal and women farmers.
• The wasteland available in the country will be developed and utilized for cultivation of ethanol and bio-diesel producing crops and will fulfill the basic requirement of fuel, fodder food.
• This will improve the ecological balance by covering wasteland
• It will reduce the hazardous emissions."