Biodiesel Production in India
Ethanol and Biodiesel are alternate fuels derived from locally available biomass feedstocks and hence provide a greater degree of energy security and employment while stimulating rural development. Biodiesel and ethanol are less polluting on account of lower emissions and have potential to reduce foreign exchange out go on import of fossil fuels. Biodiesel is currently not being produced commercially for blending with diesel. Cultivators, farmers, landless labourers, cooperatives, Self Help Groups, Gram Panchayats, Gram Sabhas, etc. will be involved in undertaking plantations that provide the feedstock for biodiesel and ethanol. Local communities and entrepreneurs will be involved in local production and processing of biodiesel, apart from State Agencies and Oil Marketing Companies.
The setting up of a high level National Biofuel Coordination Committee has been approved.
Intensive R&D work has been initiated on development of superior genotypes of Jatropha having high seed productivity and oil content for production of bio-diesel. Efforts have also been initiated to develop coordinated R&D projects on second generation biofuels such as production of ethanol from agricultural wastes / residues and biodiesel from algae.
