(a) the details of the companies and the area of land allotted for
the plantation of Jatropha plant and the quantum of yield therein during
each of the last three years;
(b) the area of allotted land lying vacant and the reasons therefor,
State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to
encourage the farmers for full use of allotted land?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD PROCESSING
INDUSTRIES AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI HARISH RAWAT)
(a) & (b): Ministry of Agriculture has not allotted any land to the companies for
plantation of Jatropha plant. However, National Oilseeds and Vegetable Oils
Development (NOVOD) Board, a statutory body under the administrative control of
Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, is the nodal agency for promoting Tree
Borne Oilseeds including Jatropha plant through various research / implementing
agencies such as Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural
Universities (SAU), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Indian
Council of Forest Research Institute (ICFRI) etc. The details of plantation of Tree
Borne Oilseeds including Jatropha undertaken by the Board are at Annexure-I.
(c): The NOVOD Board encourages the farmers to take up Jatropha Plantation and
other TBOs by conducting training programmes for the farmers, trainers’ training and
seminars etc. through various implementing agencies. Various useful publications
brought out by NOVOD Board are also distributed amongst farmers.