Jatropha plantation for biodiesel production in Rajasthan: climate, economics and employment.

Due to rapid increase in industrialisation, exponential growth of internal combustion engines, continuous deteriorating environment have paved the way to make renewable energy resources more attractive. The most feasible way to meet this growing demand is by utilizing alternative fuels such as Jatropha which have been considered as a prospective feedstock for biodiesel production in a number of hot and humid climatic countries. It has approximately same combustion characteristics and heat value as diesel fuel and has proved better environmental friendliness as compared to diesel and gasoline. Jatropha curcas is a drought resistant perennial, growing well even in poor soil conditions. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and survives, producing seeds for 50 years containing oil up to 37%. During present study, efforts have been made to study the suitability of Jatropha plantation in Rajasthan with respect to its climate suitability, financial viability and possible employment. Study is also aimed to calculate the possible replacement of diesel fuel by Jatropha seed oil if suitable waste land of 0.66 M ha in six districts of Rajasthan state which are most suitable for Jatropha plantation is used. It has been concluded that around 20.53 Lac people can be given employment for Jatropha plantation under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) which aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days job.