Two days workshop and training programme on Jatropha for Block Development Officers (BDO’s) and Gram Pradhans was held at Biotech Park, Lucknow on September 1, 2009 and September 4, 2009 in collaboration with Department of Rural Development, U.P. Sri Manoj K. Singh, Commissioner, Rural Development, Uttar Pradesh inaugurated and presided over the workshop. He opined that such programmes should be organized periodically to educate the farmers for Jatropha cultivation and to promote and publicize the importance of biofuel in the country. The Jatropha is the importance source of future biofuel. He also elaborated the various schemes and policies of U.P. Government in respect of the biofuel and its promotion in the State.

Dr. P.K. Seth, CEO, Biotech Park delivered the keynote address and informed the participants about the initiatives taken by Biotech Park for the promotion of biofuel in the State. He informed that Biotech Park regularly organizes training programmes for farmers in the field of biofuel, biofertilizer, vermicomposting, etc. He also gave a brief power-point presentation highlighting the importance of Jatropha as future biofuel, organizations working for its promotion, etc

The workshop-cum-training programme was attended by approximately 85 BDO’s and Gram Pradhans from different blocks and officers of Bharat Renewable Energy Limited (BREL). The workshop was also attended by Sri V.K. Singh, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Rural Development; Sri M.V. Radhakrishnan, CEO, BREL. On this occasion, Dr. H.M. Behl, Senior Scientist, Biotech Park gave a power-point presentation about the cultivation of Jatropha plants i.e. selection of land, good quality seeds and planting material, etc; timely pruning to get more seeds and utilization of chemicals for virus protection. The workshop mainly focused on maintenance of Jatropha nursery and plantation techniques. The BREL officers shared their experiences in plantation of Jatropha.

List of Participants in Jatropha Workshop