With the Jatropha Bio-Fuel Plan Proving Unviable Scientists are Mulling Alternatives

摘要

The effort to produce bio diesel using Jatropha plants has come a cropper. The experiment did show promise earlier on, but has failed to measure up in the longer term. The government had planned to make jatropha fuel available across the country by 2017 but had to abort the idea in 2013. Though biodiesel extracted from the seeds of jatropha is of high-quality, the plant is not farmer-friendly. MS University's scientists are now looking for alternate sources. "Jatropha requires earmarking fertile areas for its plantations. The plant has no commercial use apart from the seed-oil. Also, the cost of litre of Jatropha fuel is close to petrol," said Dr Shailesh Shah from department of chemistry.