Minutes of Proceedings of the 2nd Advisory Committee Meeting on Biodiesel Programme held on 12.06.20006 at conference hall at NEDFi R & D Centre , Khetri.

The 2nd meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biodiesel was held on 12.06.2006 at 11A.M. in the conference hall of the NEDFi R & D Centre, Khetri under the Chairmenship of Dr. D.N. Borthakur. Following Members were present in the meeting

• Dr. D.N. Borthakur, Chairman
• Shri S.K. Baruah CS& DGM(HRD, Admn. & Legal) & i/c TEDF
• Dr. D. K. Hore Principal Scientist, NBPGR, Borapani, Meghayala
• Dr. P. Mahanta Head, Centre for Energy, IIT Guwahati
• Shri Rajendra P Agarwalla CCF(Social Forestry) Basistha, Guwahati
• Dr. R.K. Sarma Deputy Director & Area Coordinator, MAPE Division RRL. Jorhat
• Prof. S.K. Borthakur Head, Depptt. Of Botany, Gauhati University
• Dr. P. Gogoi Prof & Head, Deptt. of Botany, D.R. College, Golaghat
• Shri M.J. Bordoloi GM, OIL, Duliajan
• Shri H.C. Das Chief, R & D Centre, OIL, Duliajan
• Dr. D.N. Dutta Director , NEDFi R & D Centre
• Dr. M. Ahmed Sr. Scientist, NEDFi R & D Centre

Shri S.K. Baruah, CS& DGM (HRD, Admn. & Legal) & i/c TEDF welcomed the members to the 2nd meeting of the Advisory Committee on Biodiesel Programme.

Agenda Item no. 1

Confirmation of Proceedings on 1st meeting on Biodiesel

Dr. D.N. Borthakur, Chairman of the Advisory Committee asked the opinion of the members on the proceedings of last meeting which was circulated earlier amongst the member for their comment. The members did not offer any comment and hence the minutes of proceedings was approved unanimously.

Agenda Item No. 2

Action Taken Report

The action taken report submitted along with the agenda paper was read out by Dr. M. Ahmed, Sr. Scientist which was approved by the committee with certain observations. The members opined that no substantial progress has been made on the decisions of last meeting. It was pointed out that due to long wait for reply from PCRA regarding the activities to be taken up by the PCRA and NEDFi R & D Centre, actions on various activities were delayed. The members discussed about the role of PCRA in joint Biodiesel programme. Regarding research needs as mentioned in the action taken note Chairman apprised the members about the outcome of NEDFi’s discussion with Vice Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat, who has shown great interest to take up research activities on Jatropha at AAU Jorhat. To carry out this proposal, an MoU would be prepared and signed by both AAU and NEDFi authorities. The members appreciated the interest of OIL, Duliajan to participate on research activities on Jatropha jointly with NEDFi. It was decided to chalked out a joint research programme for implementation both at OIL, Duliajan and at NEDFi R & D Centre. All such research programmes should be placed before the research advisory committee for final approval.

Shri R. P. Agarwalla, CCF(Social Forestry) reiterated his interest to provide land for Jatropha nursery under Social Forestry. He further mentioned that 50 lakhs Jatropha plants will be provided by the Ministry of Rural Development for distribution amongst the farmers. He also apprised the members about recent workshop on Biodiesel held at Rashtrapaty Nilayam, Hyderabad which was addressed by His Excellancy, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India. It is understood that 1.4 million hactare waste land is available in Assam for Jatropha cultivation. Dr. Hore, Principal Scientist, NBPGR, Borapani, informed the member that a promising variety of Jatropha, Satrapaty is released by Gujrat Agricultural University with 39% oil content which may be tried in our condition. It is decided that NEDFi’s R & D Centre should immediately go for a drive to collect good seeds from different Jatropha growing states of India.

Agenda Item No. 3

Discussion on PCRA letter

Dr. M. Ahmed, Sr. Scientist, NEDFi R & D Centre, drawn the attention of the members to the letters written by PCRA and its reply from NEDFi, the copies of which were provided along with the agenda note for information of the members. PCRA has not mentioned any clear cut policy about sharing of expenditures in the Biodiesel Programme. In this regard, it was told that PCRA has been moved to establish the Biodiesel centre immediately at NEDFi R & D Centre for the benefit of the Jatropha farmers of NE India.

Agenda Item No. 4

Discussion on Jatropha Programme

The members were appraised about the interest of Koliabor T.E.Silghat, Kushal Konwar Sutakol at Dabidubi, Golaghat, Karbi Anglong Seva Kedra, Sariahjan, Karbi Anglong, for cultivation of Jatropha. The members suggested that such activities should be taken up very carefully after knowing the broad outcome of such activities. In fact it was proposed to prepare different MoU with the above mentioned parties by safeguarding the interest of farmers as well as NEDFi. If such programme is undertaken the outcome of research investigations, planting material etc. should be made available to the farmers under NEDFi’s banner. The Chairman suggested to take up these programme phasewise after carefully preparing the MoUs. The members entrusted the NEDFi R & D Centre to prepare this MoUs in consultation with Chairman for taking further action.

Dr. P. Mahanta, Head, Centre for Energy, IIT Guwahati suggested that PCRA should be approached for marketing of seeds and oils under Biodiesel programme.

Agenda Item No. 5

Appraisal of proposal of R & D activities of R & D Division of OIL, Duliajan

This agenda was discussed along with the agenda No. 2 and recorded the proceedings under agenda item 2.

Agenda Item No.6

Discussion on research proposal received from IIT Guwahati on Micro propagation

Dr. Lingaraj Sahoo, Asstt. Prof. , Centre for Energy, IIT Guwahati submitted a proposal to NEDFi for financing the research on Micro propagation of Jatropha. A detailed presentation was given by Dr. Sahoo and members recommended the same for approval to NEDFi with the condition that the micropropagation techniques developed by IITG will be made available to NEDFi for direct use in its R & D Centre. An MoU should be signed by both the parties on Transfer of Technology of the Micropropagation.

Agenda Item No. 7

Action plan on Jatropha Programme

1. Survey:
   
   As per decision of the the earlier meeting the survey and documentation of Jatropha in North East India could not be taken up due to shortage of manpower in the R & D Centre. Therefore, the R & D Centre approached a private farm, M/s Horizon Agricare Private Limited, Guwahati to carry out the survey programme in Assam and Meghalaya. However, the members expressed their apprehension for awarding the project to a private party. Instead it is decided that the works should be assigned to Gauhati University which was readily accepted by Prof. S.K. Borthakur, Prof and Head, Deptt. of Botany, Gauhati University. Dr. Borthakur, promised to submit detailed project report on or before 17.06.2006 for taking further necessary action which was agreed by the members.

    

2. Establishment of Laboratory facility for oil extraction:
   
   It was noted that IITG has developed laboratory extraction technique for oil extraction in its energy centre. The members requested Dr. P. Mahanta, to help NEDFi R & D Centre to establish laboratory facility for jatropha oil extraction which was agreed upon by Dr. P. Mahanta

3. Finalisation of Date for Biodiesel Seminar:
   
   The earlier meeting of the advisory committee suggested to organize a seminar on Biodiesel during the month of January, 2006. However, due to paucity of time it could not be organized during the said period. Therefore the members suggested that a suitable date in the month of August, 2006 should be finanlised for the seminar. A committee with the following members was constituted for smooth organization of the seminar. Committee members are:

   • Mr. R.P. Agarwal Chairman

   • Dr. S.K. Borthakur Member

   • Dr. P. Mahanta Member

   • Dr. R.K. Sarma Member

   • Dr. P. Gogoi Member

   • Dr. D.N. Dutta & Dr. M. Ahmed Joint Convenor

   The Chairman insisted that the seminar should be purposeful and result oriented. Resource persons with considerable experience and grasp of the subject should be invited so that sufficient information could be generated from the seminar which could be utilized for further strengthening the existing knowledge.

4. Establishment of Model Demonstration Unit by PCRA:
   
   The proceedings of this agenda item are recorded under Agenda Item no. 2.

5. Seed Sourcing:
   
   Sr. Scientist appraised the member about the need of collecting superior varieties of Jatropha seeds from the Jatropha growing states of India. The members expressed their concern for obtaining good varieties of Jatropha seeds urgently. Mr. R.P. Agarwalla suggested a few names to contact for sourcing superior seeds of Jatropha specially from Uttaranchal, Rajansthan, Satishgarh, Gujrat and College of Forestry, Coimbature. It is ensured that seed sourcing will be completed within the month of August 2006 by the NEDFi R & D Centre.

6. Nursery and Demonstration:
   
   It was proposed to organize on farm nursery and demonstration plot in different agroclimatic zones of NE states. It is decided that nursery cum observation plots with training facilities should be established in collaboration with social forestry department and regional nursery should be in collaboration with local entrepreneur.

7. Package of Practice
   
   A draft copy of package of practice on Jatropha was circulated amongst the members along with agenda paper. The chairman observed that the said package of practice should be written very briefly highlighting the important agro techniques of the crop. Accordingly, Dr. M. Ahmed, Sr. Scientist, has been entrusted to take immediate action on the matter which he agreed to carry out within a short period
   
   The chairman proposed to convene the advisory committee meeting once in every three months which was agreed by all the members.
   
   The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the chair.