JISL’s Jatropha Yadnya

For further enhancement of farm productivity and sustainability, JISL has embarked upon several fresh initiatives. It now proposes to undertake an integrated programme of (a) cultivation of non-edible oil crops, (b) seed collection, (c) seed oil extraction (d) esterification and (e) supply Bio-diesel for tractors, irrigation pumps, threshers and other agricultural implements as well as vehicles. This will reduce farmers’ dependence on the availability of diesel or electricity for agricultural operations in rural areas.

From amongst several non-edible Oil-seed Bearing Plants, such as Jatropha, Karanj, Mahuva and Neem, Jatropha has been short-listed.

The company has pioneered tissue culture of ‘Grand Nain’ variety of banana since 1994-95. The Jain Tissue Culture laboratory has successfully micro-propagated and sold over 2 million ‘Grand Nain’ banana plants with outstanding success. It is the largest Banana Tissue Culture laboratory in the country. The farmers have increased their productivity from an average of 12 kg to over 26 kg per bunch per year and have taken consecutively crops with two ratoons in about 30 months.

Why cultivation of Jatropha only ?

The cogent reasons are : Jatropha plants...

• Grow even on marginal/saline/acidic/alkaline soils and slopy lands.
• Develop without much care and irrigation.
• Suit even dry-land farming and survive drought.
• Provide live hedge for farms to arrest the menace of stray cattle.
• Generate rural employment for cultivation, seed collection and processing.
• Need hardly any application of pesticide.
• Generate net income for 35-40 years @ about Rs.10,000/acre, from 4th year.
• Improve soil fertility throughout their life-cycle.
• Provide fuel wood after 50 years life-span.
• Possess medicinal as well as other multiple uses.
• Create green cover for long term ecological benefits.
• Enhance energy security for the country.

How can farmers achieve higher productivity and profitability ?

• Plant at 2x2 m in 60x60x60 cm pit filled with soil mixed with 2 kg organic manure.
• Drip irrigate, if possible; monsoon, little; winter, fortnightly; summer, frequently.
• Prune main stem upon 1.5 m growth for profuse branching and higher seed yield.
• Spray foliage with growth promoters for higher yield of seeds and oil.
• Ensure maximum exposure to sunlight for enhancing seed yield.
• Use inter-cropping for first 2-3 years for income while Jatropha plants mature.

How can JISL bring prosperity to farmers thru Jatropha cultivation ?

JISL has evolved an integrated approach towards Jatropha cultivation and is committed to :

• Supply of vibrant seedlings and/or elite tissue culture derived plants.
• Provide Jain BioSamruddhi organic manure for speedy and vigorous growth.
• Install drip system to bring higher yield of seeds and improve oil content.
• Provide agronomic support for success of cultivation thru contract farming.
• Assure seed buy-back at a minimum guaranteed price of Rs. 5/kg.

Sum and Substance :

JISL has already established over 1.5 lac Jatropha plants on R&D farm of Jain Hi-tech Agri Institute, JHAI. These plants are being reared in varying soil types, and irrigated as well as dryland cultivated. Research has been planned for determining Jatropha growth promoters for higher seed yields and oil content. Seed selection and improvement is also being vigorously pursued. Search for superior planting material through tissue culture is already begun. Over a dozen field trials have been instituted. The world literature on Jatropha is being accessed together with search for establishing link for processing know-how and technology for refining of Jatropha oil into world standard Bio-diesel.

JISL is all set and committed for the Jatropha Yadnya, first of its kind in Maharashtra and possibly in India too.