The huge expense—about Rs100 crore every year since plantation by various government agencies started—is also being viewed as a huge waste. Others say a multiple-crop policy would have generated more income for the rural community than depending simply on jatropha.
Tiwari’s response is that wastelands have to be rehabilitated first to retain moisture, before introducing a multiple-crop system.
He points out that about 300 people will be employed per hectare during the plantation stage in the first year alone and about 40 workdays throughout the 45 years life of each plant. Villages will be able to earn from the first two years, with each tree generating about 2kg seeds per year, he predicts.
Apart from improving the economy of local communities, high volumes of jatropha could address other environmental concerns, such as allowing vehicles to use more biodiesel. And residue from the crop can be used as compost and biomass for cooking, apart from having the potential for making glycerol. Tiwari says India has 65 million ha of wasteland and, even if jatropha cultivation is introduced in half of this area, it may one day no longer need to depend on crude oil imports.
“A clean energy revolution can never take place without the support of people,” he says, insisting the programme will reduce the poverty and malnutrition rates. And he is pragmatic enough to say that his ideas aren’t necessarily going to eradicate poverty. “I don’t think poverty will be entirely removed in my lifetime.”
Sixty in Sixty is a special series that we plan to run through 2007, the 60th anniversary of India’s independence. We will introduce you to sixty Indians—both here and abroad—who are not rich or famous. These are people who are making quiet, but important, contributions without seeking headlines, to help make India and, in some cases, the world, a better place. We also welcome your suggestions on people whom you think should be profiled in this series. Please send your suggestions by email to interview@livemint.com