Thats why your Biodiesel Tree is not performing well. by Pankaj Oudhia

Thats why your Biodiesel Tree is not performing well.by Pankaj Oudhia

Contributor:Dr. Pankaj Oudhia QA and TEM

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ID: 3118

Abstract

Karanj tree is present in India since time immemorial. Since generations it is giving returns to farmers. Now it is under promotion as biodiesel tree. Farmers have many questions specially about it assured market. Through this research article author has tried to answer these questions with example.

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Table of Contents

My Experiences

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My Experiences	Return To Table of Contents

Few months back a group of farmers met me with proposal to plant Karanj (Pongamia) in over 100 acres for production of biodiesel. They were having Lateritic land near to capital of Chhattisgarh and after seeing the name of Karanj as biodiesel crop an idea to plant it in large area came in mind. On fixed day I visited to see the land. They informed that it iswasteland and nothing grows in it. From distance I found green patches in this land. They told that it is due to growth of small plants as weed. I started survey for enlisting the number of species present in surroundings as weed. Within hour I prepared a list of over 85 species of so-called weeds. As I am documenting traditional medicinal knowledge about herbs and insects nothing is waste for me. Mother Nature has made every herb for the benefit of human beings and as our ancient literatures say that it is ignorance of human beings that they have kept some plants in category of useful plants and others as weeds. These farmers have dairy farms. I asked about the expense on veterinary medicines every year. They replied that investment on medicine is huge and it is increasing day by day. I showed them the weeds collected with its use as veterinary medicine. From bloating to problem of poor milk production can be managed with the help of herbs present in surroundings then why farmers are using modern drugs for this purpose? I told that how use of injections to cattle for increasing milk production is affecting vulcher population in many arts of India. I also suggested them to meet the Traditional Healers having expertise in use of Ethnoveterinary formulations. They will visit without medicines, collect herbs from surroundings and manage the disease effectively in less expense. As it was Lateritic land it was suitable for large scale plantation of Karanj. But it was not the ideal land. I explained that any plant may grow in any situation but for maximum production selection of land is one of the most important criteria. In India authorities unaware of ground realities and basic Agronomical principles have planted Jatropha is Lateritic wasteland. It is growing but not giving good production. Farmers asked hesitatingly that whether there is assured market for Karanj Biodiesel in future? Is its plantation in 100 acres like this, will give some returns? I replied clearly that seeing the present trend when everyone is running behind Jatropha it seems difficult to get market for Karanj Biodiesel but there is no point of worry. Grow Karanj not as Biodiesel Tree but as medicinal tree, it will give more returns in toto than as Biodiesel source alone. Although fewer publications are available on this aspect but every parts of Karanj is having regular demand in national and international drug markets. Every year these parts are collected from different sources and supplied to drug manufacturing companies. Karanj seed oil is in regular demand as oil of industrial importance. I gave a list of buyers to them assuring that many of them will approach them after seeing the plantation. When plantation is ready it is on you to decide whether to sale it as Biodiesel source or to other outlets. On my invitation these farmers visited to another plantation where Karanj was planted a decade back. I requested them to see the soil. Earlier it was Lateritic land but Karanj ecosystem has converted it in more fertile soil. Karanj is leguminous tree and symbiotic bacteria present in its root nodules fixes atmospheric nitrogen. In return these bacteria get food from Karanj. Although Indian farmers are not aware of this scientific explanation but since generations they are aware that soil from Karanj plantation is rich in nutrients. That is why in new fields they mix this soil in normal soil. In commercial production of Red Gram it is common practice. So by planting Karanj you are reclaiming the land. While presenting proposed plan to them I gave emphasis on organic cultivation in every aspect. They accepted it. First suggestion was not to disturb the weed flora. Earlier they were planning to spray weedicides in large areas to destroy it. It was so expensive. I have seen many times that when we nourish the main crops well, crop plants themselves manage unwanted plants through its natural chemicals i.e. Allelochemicals. In general plants other than main crop are considered as weed. But farmers as well as many modern researchers know that all plants are not harmful to each other. Presence of many plants promotes the growth of main crop. Hence it is not advisable to destroy all plants saying it as unwanted plants. It is advantageous to only one party and that is Pesticide Company. I listed twelve weeds. As mentioned above there is good demand of Karanj bark as medicine. But when bark is collected many times it injures the trees and as result production decreases. The extracts of selected weeds help such trees to recover from injuries. These extracts are applied on injured parts as well as trees are irrigated with it. As intercrop I suggested plantation of different medicinal and aromatic crops in different locations. As Karanj is deep rooted tree it extracts nutrients from lower zones of soil. Annual medicinal and aromatic crops extract nutrients from upper soil. That is why such crop planning results in better management. In year 1995-96 when I was experimenting much on organic farming of Indian medicinal and aromatic crops I was much influenced by the pesticidal properties of Karanj plant parts. In many parts of Chhattisgarh farmers allow Karanj growing in crop fields as well as bunds as it acts as guard crop and helps in repelling the insects away. When medicinal and aromatic crops are grown in Karanj plantation it remains free from most of insects. In general 26 types of insects and diseases attack Karanj tree. On the basis of this list with organic farmers I prepared over 45 cow dung and urine based solutions to manage it. These FFCDS (Freshly fermented cow dung solutions) are enriched by adding different herbs. It means Karanj manages pest of intercrops and weeds present in surroundings are used to manage pest problem in Karanj as well as intercrops. It is real eco-farming. From land preparation of maturity I prepared package of practices with organic inputs. This was new experience for most of the farmers addicted to chemical farming. I get many mails with question that growth of Karanj is very slow and after using all chemical inputs it is not responding in desired manner. I simply request them to go for organic inputs. We are many organic inputs. Only Neem is not available input. In Chhattisgarh we have listed over 3000 organic inputs that can be used successfully in organic farming. At last but not least being indigenous tree Karanj supports lives of many bird species. More birds in plantation where pesticides are not used, means more efficient management of insects through birds. It is an extra advantage. Now these farmers are preparing for large scale Karanj plantation. I proposed them that I will take half honorarium than usual if they remain strict to organic cultivation. My interest is that such eco-friendly plantation will become model and farmers around the world can get motivation through it. Keep reading my research articles for updates.