1. An advisory committee has been set up in a Mission Mode approach

2. A survey in all the NE States has been carried out to collect information on the indigenously grown stains and to collect seeds/ stem cutting in order to screen them for identifying the elite type for both Jatropha and Pongamia. The survey includes detection of variation of flower, fruit and seed production. We have to ascertain the optimum production potential already acclimatized in the region.

3. To collect the present status on the biodiesel activites in the region undertaken by different agencies-Govt/NGOs/ Individuals

4. Collection of promising /high yielding varieties from different sources Target may be Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jhansi if possible from Brazil

5. The seeds of superior genotypes would be utilized for raising quality nurseries through seed/ cutting.

Area that may be targeted:

Pongamia Pinnatta: In erosion prone and in areas subjected to land slides. In Assam riverine, char/ chapori, along streams, low lying areas along roadsides may be identified. In upper reach of Arunachal Pradesh, the water shed of Brahmaputra and other rivers of larger strip of Pongamia could be the choice.

Advantages of Jatropha over Pongamia:

1. High Oil Content, High seed yield/ha/year

2. Lesser gestation period

3. Easier to propagate

4. Farm animals donot browse on it

The plantation of Pongamia will also be undertaken since

1. it has equal potential except larger gestation period with some other qualities like Jatropha is sensitive to wet condition while Pongamia prefers. It can tolerate easily stagnation once the tree is established. In flood and erosion prone belt, on roadside of low lying areas, along the railway tracks. Embarkment of sides Pongamia would be better choice.

2. It can resist soil erosion even caused by water courses by its heavy networks of deep-seated root system

3. Suitable for strip/ riverbanks/ sand cast areas

4. It is a legume tree

5. Without reefing the oil can be utilized in slow moving vehicle/ tractor/ pumps etc.

6. Raising Nurseries

1. One Central nursery under direct control of NEDFi R & D preferably on lease land

2. 3-4 regional nurseries in collaboration with employment and craftsmen Training Directorate in their selected ITI Campus), by entrepreneurs

7. Conduct result demonstration in different sites enabling to work out and demonstrate economics. To work out yield and economics we may associate the plantation by local entrepreneurs.

8. Literature survey on works so far done and compile

9. Formulate package of practices for both species to start with by organizing workshops

10. Make model scheme for Pongamia and Jatropha for bank finance, insurance coverage and obtaining Govt. incentives like subsidy

11. Explore other possibilities of farmer’s income by all means from theor plantation

1. Introduction of bee keeping in the plantation

2. Dye extraction from pruned leaves and barks

3. Use of fruit shells(husks) after splitting of seeds from fruits

4. Inter cropping

5. Preparation of pesticides by using seed kernels

6. Use of cosmetics industries other than biodiesel

7. Assisting farmers to obtain financial assistance from development institutions

12. Research Needs

1. Identification of promising varieties/ development and further improvement a continuous task-AAU

2. Up gradation of agro-techniques(agronomical aspects)

3. Exploration of by-products we may associate energy centre-IITGuwahati, Biotechnology Division, IIT, Guwahati and Biotechnology Deptt, Gauhati University

4. Fruit shells and press can be utilized for biogas production with 70-% methane

13. Extension Service

1. Identify some zones or ares for Jatropha and Pongamia separately for intensive activities

2. Seminar/ Workshops/ Training on Awareness/ Plantations/ Processing/ Marketing

3. Ensure supply of planting material of good quality

4. Result Demonstration

5. Organise Farmer’s fair or Biodiesel Expo, Felicitae winners

6. Publish Success stories

7. Involve NGOs, Gaon Panchayat, Village Councils, Women organizations, Govt Departments like Horticulture, Agriculture Forstry DRDA

8. Ultimate goal is to empower rural mass to develop new business based on biodiesel programme

14. Standardization of Expellers/ Extraction Plants for rural areas Decentralise primary processing to create more avenues for rural mass

15. Standardization of solvent extraction to be used centrally as well as in rural areas.

16. Micro Power generating station to be run by pongamia/ biodiesel in one char areas where electricity has not linked. This is to connect one village for electricity supply to the villagers on commercial basis.

17. Adopt marketing strategies:

1. Market assurance has to be linked up. Once the programme picks up, area and production increases there will be lot of buyers and processors all around.

2. Utilisation of oil cakes as manure/ soil pesticides etc.

18. NEDFi R & D Centre will have commercial demonstration

1. oil extraction plat

2. Solvent extraction plant

3. Negotiate with big buyers

19. NEDFi will

1. work out a support price of seeds and extend purchase network enabling the farmers/ growers to sale their produce either seed/ oil in its nearest centre

2. develop linake with refineries in Assam to facilitate easy and ensured market.

20. The R & D Centre will have the following facility

1. Processing shed

2. Seed Godown

3. Cleaner and grader

4. Decorticator/ oil extractor (Extraction by organic solvent)

5. Moisture meter

6. Weighing bridge or weighing arrangements

21. NEDFi will work out

1. Potential areas that may be available for Jatropha and Pongamia separately statewise

2. Phasing of Plantation

3. No. of Jobs that may be available to provide

4. No. of Extraction plants rural areas, biodiesel planst the would be required to install

The programme of location specific technology development and technology refinement should be undertaken to

1. Identify superior genotype/ trees that can produce higher seeds with high oil content

2. Standardization of nursery techniques including tissue culture

3. Standardization of agro-techniques, disease and insect pest management