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Pankaj
Oudhia
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That’s why your
Biodiesel Tree is not performing well. [Updated
document, year
2009]
Pankaj
Oudhia
Abstract
Karanj tree is present
in India
since time immemorial. Since generations it is
giving returns to farmers. Now it is under
promotion as biodiesel tree. Farmers have many
questions specially about it assured market.
Through this research article author has tried to
answer these questions with example.
My
Experiences
Few
months back a group of farmers met me with
proposal to plant Karanj (Pongamia) in over 100
acres for production of biodiesel. They were
having Lateritic land near to capital of
Chhattisgarh and after seeing the name of Karanj
as biodiesel crop an idea to plant it in large
area came in mind. On fixed day I visited to see
the land. They informed that it is wasteland and
nothing grows in it. From distance I found green
patches in this land. They told that it is due to
growth of small plants as weed. I started survey
for enlisting the number of species present in
surroundings as weed.
Within hour I prepared
a list of over 85 species of so-called weeds. As I
am documenting traditional medicinal knowledge
about herbs and insects nothing is waste for me.
Mother Nature has made every herb for the benefit
of human beings and as our ancient literatures say
that it is ignorance of human beings that they
have kept some plants in category of useful plants
and others as weeds. These farmers have dairy
farms. I asked about the expense on veterinary
medicines every year. They replied that investment
on medicine is huge and it is increasing day by
day. I showed them the weeds collected with its
use as veterinary medicine. From bloating to
problem of poor milk production can be managed
with the help of herbs present in surroundings
then why farmers are using modern drugs for this
purpose? I told that how use of injections to
cattle for increasing milk production is affecting
vulcher population in many arts of India.
I also suggested them to meet the Traditional
Healers having expertise in use of Ethnoveterinary
formulations. They will visit without medicines,
collect herbs from surroundings and manage the
disease effectively in less expense.
As
it was Lateritic land it was suitable for large
scale plantation of Karanj. But it was not the
ideal land. I explained that any plant may grow in
any situation but for maximum production selection
of land is one of the most important criteria. In
India
authorities unaware of ground realities and basic
Agronomical principles have planted Jatropha is
Lateritic wasteland. It is growing but not giving
good production. Farmers asked hesitatingly that
whether there is assured market for Karanj
Biodiesel in future? Is its plantation in 100
acres like this, will give some returns? I replied
clearly that seeing the present trend when
everyone is running behind Jatropha it seems
difficult to get market for Karanj Biodiesel but
there is no point of worry. Grow Karanj not as
Biodiesel Tree but as medicinal tree, it will give
more returns in toto than as Biodiesel source
alone.
Although fewer
publications are available on this aspect but
every parts of Karanj is having regular demand in
national and international drug markets. Every
year these parts are collected from different
sources and supplied to drug manufacturing
companies. Karanj seed oil is in regular demand as
oil of industrial importance. I gave a list of
buyers to them assuring that many of them will
approach them after seeing the plantation. When
plantation is ready it is on you to decide whether
to sale it as Biodiesel source or to other
outlets.
On
my invitation these farmers visited to another
plantation where Karanj was planted a decade back.
I requested them to see the soil. Earlier it was
Lateritic land but Karanj ecosystem has converted
it in more fertile soil. Karanj is leguminous tree
and symbiotic bacteria present in its root nodules
fixes atmospheric nitrogen. In return these
bacteria get food from Karanj. Although Indian
farmers are not aware of this scientific
explanation but since generations they are aware
that soil from Karanj plantation is rich in
nutrients. That is why in new fields they mix this
soil in normal soil. In commercial production of
Red Gram it is common practice. So by planting
Karanj you are reclaiming the land.
While presenting
proposed plan to them I gave emphasis on organic
cultivation in every aspect. They accepted it.
First suggestion was not to disturb the weed
flora. Earlier they were planning to spray
weedicides in large areas to destroy it. It was so
expensive. I have seen many times that when we
nourish the main crops well, crop plants
themselves manage unwanted plants through its
natural chemicals i.e. Allelochemicals. In general
plants other than main crop are considered as
weed. But farmers as well as many modern
researchers know that all plants are not harmful
to each other. Presence of many plants promotes
the growth of main crop. Hence it is not advisable
to destroy all plants saying it as unwanted
plants. It is advantageous to only one party and
that is Pesticide Company. I listed twelve weeds.
As mentioned above there is good demand of Karanj
bark as medicine. But when bark is collected many
times it injures the trees and as result
production decreases. The extracts of selected
weeds help such trees to recover from injuries.
These extracts are applied on injured parts as
well as trees are irrigated with it.
As
intercrop I suggested plantation of different
medicinal and aromatic crops in different
locations. As Karanj is deep rooted tree it
extracts nutrients from lower zones of soil.
Annual medicinal and aromatic crops extract
nutrients from upper soil. That is why such crop
planning results in better management. In year
1995-96 when I was experimenting much on organic
farming of Indian medicinal and aromatic crops I
was much influenced by the pesticidal properties
of Karanj plant parts. In many parts of
Chhattisgarh farmers allow Karanj growing in crop
fields as well as bunds as it acts as guard crop
and helps in repelling the insects away. When
medicinal and aromatic crops are grown in Karanj
plantation it remains free from most of insects.
In general 26 types of insects and diseases attack
Karanj tree. On the basis of this list with
organic farmers I prepared over 45 cow dung and
urine based solutions to manage it. These FFCDS
(Freshly fermented cow dung solutions) are
enriched by adding different herbs. It means
Karanj manages pest of intercrops and weeds
present in surroundings are used to manage pest
problem in Karanj as well as intercrops. It is
real eco-farming.
From land preparation
of maturity I prepared package of practices with
organic inputs. This was new experience for most
of the farmers addicted to chemical farming. I get
many mails with question that growth of Karanj is
very slow and after using all chemical inputs it
is not responding in desired manner. I simply
request them to go for organic inputs. We are many
organic inputs. Only Neem is not available input.
In Chhattisgarh we have listed over 3000 organic
inputs that can be used successfully in organic
farming.
At
last but not least being indigenous tree Karanj
supports lives of many bird species. More birds in
plantation where pesticides are not used, means
more efficient management of insects through
birds. It is an extra advantage.
Now
these farmers are preparing for large scale Karanj
plantation. I proposed them that I will take half
honorarium than usual if they remain strict to
organic cultivation. My interest is that such
eco-friendly plantation will become model and
farmers around the world can get motivation
through it.
Keep reading my
research articles for updates.
New comments
added on December 18,
2009
It
is good sign that more and more farmers are taking
interest in organic farming of indigenous Karanj.
While documenting Traditional Agricultural
Knowledge much information on various aspects of
cultivation of Karanj has been collected. With
young farmers I tried it on plantations and
getting success. As per need many modifications
were done in ancient formulations.
“Although you are
opposing Jatropha plantation in large scale but
think of failed plantations in different parts of
India as well as in
Africa. Why don’t
you come forward to save the failed plantations,
after all these plantations are at expense of
common people’s hard earning?” I am getting many
such messages from different parts of world. I am
confident that by adopting traditional methods
failed Jatropha plantations can be rescued but I
am not ready to promote this exotic plant in
Indian soil. In areas from where it is originated
and not considered as exotic I shared my
experiences with the experts as well as growers.
It
seems that corporate world is in bit hurry. That’s
why they believe in chemical farming of Karanj.
Through my writings I am trying to convince them
that with the help of organic cultivation methods
more growth in Karanj can be achieved in
comparison to chemical farming. Organic
cultivation is best for earth’s health.
Original
Research Document
http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleView&earticleId=3118&page=-2
How to Cite
this Research Document
Oudhia, P. (2009).
That’s why your Biodiesel Tree is not performing
well. [Updated document, year 2009] http://www.pankajoudhia.com
© Pankaj
Oudhia
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