CHAPTER 3 WASTELAND IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION

Transcription

1 48 CHAPTER 3 WASTELAND IDENTIFICATION AND UTILIZATION 3.1 INTRODUCTION The inability of agricultural production to keep pace with population growth is an important issue in the industrialized nations. The agricultural production per capita has fallen and poverty has increased in many developing countries, including India in recent decades (Pender and Kerr 1999). In addition, there are serious and growing concerns about the impacts of rapid population growth on environment and natural resources, including forests, land, water, biodiversity, and other resources (World Commission on Environment and Development 1999). Consequently, the effect of population changes on agricultural development and energy generation has attracted more attention recently, partly because of aspirations, plans and programmes for expanding national production. It has been a point of debate for long as to whether the relationship between population and national production is positive or negative and whether they can ultimately settle down at a point of equilibrium. Rural population growth has affected agricultural change in terms of land utilization, cropping, irrigation intensity, agricultural productivity and poverty. The impact of population pressure, particularly on natural resource conditions, may be very different in different contexts, depending on the nature of local markets, institutions, and other factors. This research focuses on the utilization of unused cultivable wastelands for producing bio-diesel using jatropha seeds.

2 49 Degraded lands, which can be brought under vegetative cover with reasonable effort, are currently underutilized as they deteriorate due to lack of appropriate water, soil management and natural causes. It is not possible to use the uncultivable wastelands because such lands are too degraded to recoup in isolation and its cost of treatment is very expensive. Some of the uncultivable wastelands are very remote from the villages through protection of vegetative measures and participation of local people is not possible. The wastelands are classified based on their usage, altitude, physical and climatic levels. Table 3.1 shows categories of wastelands in India. Table 3.1 Categories of wastelands in India Category of Wastelands Area (Square Kilometers) Snow covered /glacial Barren rocky/sheet rock Sands inland/coastal Degraded land under plantation crop Underutilized/degraded notified forest land Degraded pastures/grazing land Mining /Industrial wastelands Shifting cultivation land Steep sloping area Water logged and marshy Upland with or without shrub Gullied/or ravenous land Land affected by salinity/alkalinity Grand Total

3 WASTELAND UTILIZATION IN INDIA India shares 16% of the world population, while its land is only 2.5% of the total geographical area of the world. Naturally, the pressure on land is often beyond its carrying capacity. Therefore, the productive lands, especially the farmlands in India, are in the constant process of various degrees of degradation, turning into wastelands. At present, approximately million hectare area of land is lying as wastelands in India. Out of these lands, approximately 50% lands are non-forest lands, which can be made fertile again, if treated properly. The unprotected non-forestlands suffered the maximum degradation mainly due to the tremendous biotic pressure on them. In the last 50 years, India s lush green village forests and woodlots have been deforested to the maximum. Wasteland utilization aims at this ecological imbalance by developing the degraded non-forest wastelands. The Government of India created the Department of Wasteland Development in July 1992, under the Ministry of Rural Development, which was subsequently reorganized and renamed as the Department of Land Resources with a broader mandate Integrated Wasteland Development Programme National Wasteland Development Board was established in 1985 under the Ministry of Forests and Environment mainly to tackle the problem of degradation of lands, to restore ecology and to meet the growing demands of fuel, wood, and fodder at the national level. During the Seventh Five Year Plan, the strategy adopted by the National Wasteland Development Board emphasized more on tree planting activities than on community participation for wasteland development. The board was reconstituted in August 1992 which stressed the development of wastelands in non-forest areas by involving local people at every stage of development. It aimed at creating a

4 51 scenario where the Government acts as a facilitator and the people at the grass root level become the real executor of the programme. Integrated Wasteland Development Programme is implemented for improving the productivity of waste and degraded lands keeping in view the poverty, backwardness, gender and equity Crisis involved in wasteland usage and its consequences The degradation of environment in the fragile Indian sub-tropical eco-system is basically attributed to Increasing biotic pressure, Absence of adequate investments and appropriate management practices, High rate of population growth and high incidence of poverty in rural areas, Over-exploitation of national resources, The break-down of traditional institutions for managing common property resources and failure of new institutions to fill the vacuum, and Faulty land use practices. These attributes lead to the consequences like Soil erosion and land degradation Depletion of natural resources Lower productivity Groundwater depletion Shortage of drinking water Reduction in species diversity Increase in the extent of wastelands

5 52 Development of wastelands mainly in non-forest areas aimed at checking the land degradation, putting such wastelands of the country to sustainable use and increasing bio-mass availability, especially that of fuel wood, fodder, fruits, fiber and small timber. The Government of India is taking up this colossal task by revitalizing and reviving village level institutions and enlisting people's participation. It is people's own programme which aims at giving them actual decision making powers in terms of project implementation and fund disbursal. 3.3 WASTELAND UTILIZATION IN TAMILNADU Tamilnadu is located in the southern most part of India. Out of its total geographical area of 1, 30, ha, nearly 40% of unutilized land area is available. The total forest land is nearly 24 lakhs ha. The state administration had identified 600,000 hectares of wasteland where no cropping is possible due to degradation, undulating, eroding and less fertility status of the land. Due to various reasons the seasonal crops were not done on these regions. There are about 54 taluks identified in Tamilnadu as a potential jatropha growth regions. The data related to details on different attributes such as temperature, rainfall, acidity, altitude, fertilizer usage, and irrigation facility are collected for this study and given in Annexure I Expert Opinion on Wasteland Usage D1 Oils, a UK bio-diesel firm, will assist Tamil Nadu to promote the cultivation on degraded land. D1 supports the wasteland cultivation project by providing seedlings to agricultural cooperatives, acting as a buyer to guarantee farmers a market for seeds, and supplying technology to enable growers to crush and extract the seed oil and refine them into bio-diesel. More

6 53 than 40% of the energy in jatropha seeds can be extracted as oil that has equivalent energy value to diesel and can be blended with mineral diesel. Developing unutilized lands to create much needed agricultural jobs is a priority for National and State Governments in India and hence, the jatropha tree has been identified as a suitable crop for planting. The cultivation of jatropha on wasteland has the potential both to produce a green fuel that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and create much-needed rural jobs. India has the potential to be a leading world producer of diesel, but farmers need to know that there is going to be a good market for what they produce. The Indian government is expected to introduce a bio-diesel blend for the transport sector Feasibility of growing jatropha in target areas The cultivable wastelands, vacant lands, colliery wastelands, rainfed lands (low rainfall zone / rain shadow areas) are highly suitable for jatropha growth. The water scarcity areas would be utilized for crop growth with proper irrigation. By replacing uneconomical crops and hedge plantation this seed could be used for plantations. Railway track, roadsides, hilly areas and riverside that is not inundated would also be utilized effectively for the jatropha cultivation. The future thrust area for yield enhancement is based on systematic varietal improvement and hybridization programme. There is a need for generation of technology for yield enhancement of jatropha seed. Similarly, the technologies related to value addition of byproducts (oil cake / glycerol) and mass multiplication of elite plant material through tissue culture. The leaves provide plentiful organic matter and increase the microbial activity,

7 54 including earthworms, which is an indication of ecological improvement of site. This will enhance the jatropha seed yield Cultivation of jatropha curcas in wastelands In the recent past, bio-diesel derived from plant species, has been a major renewable source of energy. Among the various plants jatropha curcas and pongamia pinnata have been chosen as most potential species for varying situations. Between these two species, jatropha curcas is considered most potential not only to the growers but also to the processors and end users. To the rural society, the crop can create regular employment opportunities, as it provides never ending marketing potential. Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, cultivation of jatropha appears viable. Jatropha may not replace other important food crops since it is meant for flood free wastelands and unutilized fallow lands. Jatropha curcas has been identified as most suitable oil seed bearing plant due to its various positive attributes like hardy nature, short gestation period, adaptability in a wide range of agro-climatic conditions, high oil recovery and quality of oil etc. It can be planted on degraded lands like farmer s field boundaries, road sides, both sides of railway tracks, fallow lands and agro forestry crop. It grows up to a height of 5 m. and can be maintained to a desired height and shape by trimming and pruning. It is a tropical species and grows well in sub-tropical conditions. It can tolerate extremes of temperature but not frost and water stagnation. It grows almost everywhere- even on gravely, sandy, acidic and alkaline soils having ph ranging from 5.5 to 8.5. It can thrive in poorest stony soils. It grows even in the cracks and crevices of rocks on all types of soil except one subjected to water inundation. If the rising water table engulfs the major root

8 55 system and continues for a considerable period, the plant will die. The plant is undemanding in soil type and even does not require tillage. Planning Commission, Govt. of India, identified two species for mass production of seeds for bio-diesel viz., Jatropha and Pongamia. Jatropha is suitable for upland while Pongamia was found adaptive for both uplands and wetland conditions. The comparison on different attributes of jatropha and pongamia is shown in Table 3.2 to give a clear idea about the advantage of jatropha. Table 3.2 Comparison between Jatropha and Pongamia Sl. No. Parameters Jatropha curcas Pongamia pinnata 1. Gestation Period 1 year 6 years 2. Size Bushy shrub large tree-block 3. Harvesting Easy Difficult 4. Processing easy Cumbersome 5. Esterification Not essential Necessary 6. Oil content per seed 40 % % 7. Seed yield High Less 8. Specific gravity Ash % by mass Jatropha is preferred if the land condition is free from water stagnation, and upland situation. For wet condition and river and stream sides where temporary flooding may pose problems pongamia should be the choice.

9 56 Because of the above advantages, the bio-diesel programme has been assumed as jatropha programme and ultimately has taken as jatropha Mission. Suitable lands for cultivation of jatropha are considered as an important factor. The following lands are identified as suitable lands for jatropha cultivation viz. underutilized degraded forest land, upland with/without scrub, degraded land under plantation crops, degraded pastures, gullied and ravenous land. 3.4 JATROPHA AS A NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY CROP Jatropha oil is an environmentally safe, cost effective and renewable source of non-conventional energy. It is a promising substitute for hydel power, diesel, kerosene, LPG, coal and firewood. The protein content of jatropha oil cake may be used as raw materials for plastic and synthetic fibers. This non-conventional source of energy will help in removing regional imbalance in energy use by making energy available in a decentralized manner. It has potential for creation of productive assets boosting villagebased industries. This plantation is useful in unutilized wasteland developments and also in the generation of employment and capital formation to increase national income and quick greening of the country. Table 3.3 shows the details of costs involved in the extraction of jatropha oil.

10 57 Table 3.3 Cost analysis of jatropha seed oil Parameters 1 ton/day capacity 1 ton/hour capacity 2 ton/hour capacity Installation cost Rs. 70,000 Rs. 3,00,000 Rs. 5,00,000 Power consumption 45 KW 30 KW 24 KW Cost of power consumption Rs 225 Rs.125 Rs. 120 Steam 600 kg/ton 150 kg/ton 125 kg Cost of steam Rs. 180 Rs. 45 Rs Man Power 3/day 3/day 6/day Cost of manpower Rs. 450/ton Rs. 20/ton Rs. 20/ton Processing cost/ ton Investment Rs. 885 Rs. 215 Rs Depreciation Rs. 45 Rs. 7.5 Rs. 6.5 Total cost of Processing/ton Rs. 900 Rs Rs BIO-DIESEL FROM JATROPHA PLANTATIONS ON DEGRADED LAND The State Government has aggressively been pursuing its wasteland reclamation project. The hardy, drought resistant shrub jatropha curcas, known as kattu aamanakku is all set to revolutionize the future of the fuel industry by offering an eco-friendly, cost effective and proven substitute to highly polluting fossil fuels. Jatropha seed is highly suited to wasteland cultivation and needs very little investment. It is also an employment generator and yields valuable by-products like glycerol and biomanure. It is

11 58 cultivable on dry lands and drier climates have been found to increase oil yield. There is an increasing gap in production and consumption of crude oil in India costing the country Rs billion as import bill in Land resource in India is under tremendous human and livestock pressure as it supports around 16 percent of the world s human and 20 percent of livestock population on a mere 2.5 percent of the world s geographical area. A large part of this land area is also designated as wasteland, which is around 55 mha. According to Bhattacharya and Tiwari (2003) the wastelands are not barren areas devoid of vegetation but are degraded common lands that are used by a large number of rural communities for their livelihoods. The idea of bio-fuel as a substitute of fossil fuels and use of wastelands for its production has now gained momentum. In India all the state governments are involved in the bio-fuel program. To accomplish all the biofuel production activities a sophisticated methodology has to be done to optimally use cultivable wastelands. Bio-fuels using jatropha one such alternative for the international community. Production of bio-fuel from jatropha curcas plant has received much attention in India. The major attributes of this oil is compared with European standard in Table 3.4.

12 59 Table 3.4 Characteristics of Jatropha bio-diesel compared to European Standard Characteristics Jatropha European bio-diesel standard Density (g cm -3 at 20 C) 0, Flash Point ( C) 191 > 101 Cetane no. (ISO 5165) > 51 Viscosity (mm 2 /s at 40 C) (40 C) Net Cal. Val. (MJ/L) Iodine Number <120 Sulphated ash <0.02 Carbon residue <0.3 The concept of substituting bio-diesel produced from plantations on eroded soils for conventional diesel fuel has gained wide-spread attention in India. The Indian Central Government as well as some state governments have expressed their support for bringing marginal lands, which cannot be used for food production, under cultivation for this purpose. Various oils used for bio-diesel production are Pungam oil Jatropha oil Neem Oil Soya bean oil Used cooking oil Palm Oil Fish Oil

13 60 Jatropha curcas is a well established plant in India which produces oil-rich seeds in eroded lands, and requires only limited amounts of water, nutrients and capital inputs (Diego Juca Donizeth 2008). Through jatropha plantations, three major objectives such as wasteland reclamation, production of eco-friendly bio fuel, and socio-economic development of degraded areas can be achieved simultaneously.this plant offers the option both to cultivate wastelands and to produce vegetable oil suitable for conversion to bio-diesel. Bio-diesel can be used in today's vehicle fleets worldwide and may also offer a viable path to sustainable transportation, i.e., lower greenhouse gas emissions and enhanced mobility, even in remote areas. Threatening of global warming is an important basis of any system of emerging economies. Planning Commission of India states, that a 10 million hectare crop could yield 30 million tones of oil a year. Further, of the 130 million hectares of wasteland in India, about 33 million hectares are available for reclamation. The Railways, the largest diesel consumer in India, have reported much success with this option and are seeking substantive bio-diesel supply contracts. The government is in the process of mandating blending with mineral diesel. A 5% blend is to be introduced shortly, with an implied demand for 2.5 million tones of bio-diesel, and this is to rise to 20% by 2020, implying a demand of around 16 million tones. Looking ahead, jatropha appears to be one of the most promising feed stocks upon which the industry will be built. 3.6 SCOPE OF JATROPHA SEED AS A PLANTATION CROP Jatropha carcus is easy to establish grows quickly, hardy and require little care.it can grow in poor soils, in wastelands except flood prone and waterlogged areas. The reclamation of wasteland and degraded land is possible through its plantation. In fertile land it gives higher yields. Plantation

14 61 of jatropha, oil extraction and nursery rising, can be rural based, hence promoter of rural economy besides ensuring energy security.jatropha is not a competitor of any crop rather it increases the yield. Due to mycorrhizal value in jatropha roots it helps in getting phosphate from soil. This seed is a boon for acid soil. It also improves the soil fertility throughout their life cycle. It possesses medicinal as well as other multiple uses. Regarding economic point of view it generates a net income for years at approximately Rs. 10,000 / acre /year from 4th year. Hence it provides local jobs, lessening the need for local villagers to migrate to cities to find employment. In India, jatropha curcas is found in almost all the state and is generally grown, as a live fence for protection of agricultural fields from damage by live fence. Due to potential demand and better marketing opportunities, cultivation of jatropha appears viable. Jatropha adapts well to marginal lands as well as live fence, as farm animals do not browse it. All parts of the shrub are used in traditional medicine and as raw material for pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The use of jatropha oil in the production of soap in rural areas gives direct benefit, where as indirectly this will help to save edible vegetable oil. The large scale cultivation of jatropha curcas on wastelands with poor soils and low rainfall in drought prone areas could provide regular employment and could improve their living conditions by providing additional income. Use of bio-diesel at the village level for operating oil engines for pumping water and operating small machinery are another good opportunity, which will be a boon to the farmers. Jatropha is not an alternative to agriculture or plantation but it is an addition to it Scope of Jobs for all Being a perennial crop jatropha would ensure a minimum regular income to the society that are used to fluctuations in their income streams.

15 62 Jatropha is economically viable not only to the growers but also to the processors and end users. To the rural society, the crop can create regular employment opportunities, as it provides never ending marketing potential. The crop can easily be raised without any difficulty, the rural women can be engaged in all kinds of activities like raising seedlings, collection of seeds, de-shelling etc. This will be a great boon to the development and enhancement of the quality of life of the rural women. There is no recommended variety of jatropha seed in Tamilnadu yet. However, the variety grown in North East region of the country is also found productive. The female: male ratio of flower which indicative of productivity is observed to be 1:12 compared to 1:16 to 1: 20 found in other states. Fruit setting in NE region is nearly %. The occurrence of fungal diseases due to high humidity and high soil moisture, the newly introduced materials from drier belts are difficult to establish. However, high yielding types developed elsewhere are also ideal for cultivation. The plantation can be started with locally available one Propagation Jatropha is usually propagated on mass scale both by seed as well as stem cuttings. For commercial cultivation normally it is propagated by seeds. Well-developed plumpy seeds are selected for sowing. Before sowing, seeds are soaked in cowdung solution for 12 hours and kept under the wet gunny bags for 12 hours. Hot and humid weather is preferred for good germination of seed. Germinated seeds are sown in poly bags of 15 x 25 cm size filled with soil, sand and farm yard manure in the ratio of 1:1:1 respectively. Seeds are directly planted in main field. But pre-rooted cuttings in poly bags and then transplanted in the main field give better results. For one-hectare plantation about 5 to 7.5 kg seeds are required. Fruiting starts

16 63 from 2 nd year if propagated by stem cutting but it takes one year more while raised by seed Jatropha plantings in the field The land should be ploughed once or twice depending upon the nature of soil. In direct planting system the seed/cuttings should be planted in the main field with onset of monsoon as a spacing of 3m x 2m. In hilly areas where ploughing is not possible, after clearing jungles, pits of size 30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm is dug at required spacing, refilled with top soil and organic manures and then planted. Smaller spacing would be preferred if growing the plant as a hedgerow, for a fence, or for soil conserving purposes. Actual spacing will be determined based on end-use, soil quality / condition, humidity, rainfall, intercropping, etc. After planting there is a need of two to three weeding are necessary, it does not require supplementary irrigation if planted in onset of rain. Jatropha is deciduous in nature and the fallen leaves during winter months form mulch around the base of the plant. The organic matter from fallen leaves enhances earthworm activity in the soil around the root zone of the plants, which improves the fertility of the soil. Light harrowing is beneficial during early growth stage. Pinching the terminal is essential at six months age to induce laterals. To give a bushy shape the plant should be trimmed during spring (Feb-March) up to 5 years including one pruning when the plants attains 1.5 m height. The terminal-growing twig is to be pinched to induce secondary branches. Likewise the secondary and tertiary branches are to be pinched or pruned at the end of first year to induce a minimum of 25 branches at the end of second year. Once in ten years, the plant may be cut leaving one foot

17 64 height from ground level for rejuvenation. The growth is quick and the plant will start yielding in about a year period. This will be useful to induce new growth and yield stabilization there on. Manuring during the time of planting compost at 2 kg /pit should be applied. Afterwards depending on soil type manuring at 3-5 kg/plant along with and NPK should be applied near the crown following ring method before monsoon. Intercropping can be done in some shade loving crops like Rouvolfia serpentina, Asparagus racemosus, Kaempferia galanga, Homalomena aromatica, Tulsi and Smilax china etc and also short duration pulses like blackgram and vegetables like tomato, bitter gourd, pumpkin, ash gourd, and cucumber can be profitably grown under jatropha for the first two years. Collar rot is the major dieses in the beginning that can be controlled by application of 1% Bordeaux mixture drenching Harvesting The flowering is induced in rainy season and bears fruits and matures in winter. Pods are collected when they are turned yellowish and after drying seeds are separated mechanically or manually. Flowering is less and delayed when grown in shady conditions. In sunny condition flowering is more and early (July September). Seedlings produce flowers 9 months after sowing. However, plants established through cuttings produce flowers from 6 months onwards. But economic yield starts from 3rd year-end. The dried pods are collected and seeds are separated either manually or mechanically. Seeds are dried for 4-5 days to reduce moisture level 10% before packing.

18 ECONOMIC LIFE OF JATROPHA PLANT AND ITS YIELD The economic life of jatropha is years. The plant survives upto 50 years if root zone does not come in contact with rising water table and continues for longer time. There will be about 1675 plants /ha at 3 m x 2 m spacing. Grown up jatropha from 6th year onwards yield 3-6 kg per plant under good management. The average productivity have been projected based on the area and total yield, this is tabulated in Table 3.5. Table 3.5 Yield jatropha plant Year of planting 2 nd year 3 rd year 4 th year to 6 th year 7 th year to 10 th year 11 th year onwards Yield per plant kg kg kg kg kg Yield per hectare 1500 kg 2500 kg 6000 kg 6500 kg 6500 kg Quality seed production in sufficient quantity is most important for commercial programme. Jatropha is cross-pollinated crop. Hence a seed orchard, which is a plantation of genetically superior trees, isolated to reduce cross-pollination and intensively managed to ensure supply of good quality seed should be established. The minimum size of the seed orchard should be 2 ha or more. The seed orchard may be established by clonal propagation (stem cutting or tissue culture plant lets) from known source.

19 66 To achieve higher productivity and profitability the major procedures followed are, Pruning main stem upon 1.5-m growth for profuse branching and higher seed yield. Foliar spraying with growth promoters for higher yield of seeds and oil. Ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight for enhancing seed yield. 3.8 SUMMARY Jatropha plantation should not be taken as highly profitable cash crop if the value of by-products and other advantages are not considered. Besides, rising of intercrops along with oil, other potentially high value products such as glycerin and seed cake to make it more attractive should be effectively marketed and the environmental and socioeconomic returns such as wasteland reclamation need to be adequately accounted for. Aswani Kumar and Sathyawati Sharma (2008) stated that as jatropha can thrive in wasteland, and offers the opportunity to reclaim much of it and lead to local economic development, there is a need to identify the uncultivable wastelands. According to the available unutilized wasteland the entire plan of production and distribution of jatropha seed supply chain network is required to be developed. Hence, a conceptual framework for the jatropha seed supply chain network has been developed which is discussed in the next chapter.