retrospect and prospects of edible oil and bio-diesel in pakistan

16 Pages·2011·0.1 MB·English

by  Aamir Khan

Pakistan J. Agric. Res. Vol 23 No. 3-4, 2010.
RETROSPECT AND PROSPECTS OF EDIBLE OIL AND BIO-DIESEL
IN PAKISTAN -- A REVIEW
Sumia Bint Zaman, Sidra Majeed and Shahid Ahmad*
ABSTRACT:- Globally resources of petro-fuels are diminishing at a rapid rate.
Efforts are underway to develop sources of bio-fuels. Out of the known sources of
bio-fuels, Jatropha is one of the most promising option. The purpose of this study
was to evaluate primarily the regional and global experiences to assess the poten-
tial of Jatropha farming in Pakistan and to conduct a comparative economic analy-
sis of alternate feasible options e.g. production of oilseeds, which are also being
imported in large quantities. Temporal analysis (1950-09) for edible oil consump-
tion, production and imports is made. Projections for edible oil are worked out
up to 2030. As there have been large variations in yield of Jatropha reported by
various studies conducted in India and other countries, therefore most reliable
data have been selected for analysis to assess the prospects in Pakistan. Compara-
tive economic analysis is made in terms of oil contents, number of crops per year,
yield and gross returns of oilseed crops and Jatropha. Analysis shows that in-
crease in production of edible oil over the time is negligible against the large
increase in requirement resulted in higher production gap being filled through
imports. Projections made for edible oils illustrated that production gap is going
to be wider, which is currently 1.86 million tonnes (mt) and projected to be 3.4 mt
by 2030. Jatropha seed production analysis of water-yield functions revealed that
yield varies from 1.1 t ha-1 in drought or dry spells to 12.75 t ha-1 with full irriga-
tion in favorable environments. Benefit-cost analysis shows that break-even point
can be achieved in fourth year of plantation of Jatropha. The projected consump-
tion in Pakistan for petro-fuel for 2025 is 35.1 mt, which is almost double of the
current consumption. Thus, the target projections for replacement of petro-fuel
with bio-diesel will be 3.51 mt for which 3.5 mha of land is required, as Jatropha
has to be grown in marginal areas with marginal yields. Comparative economic
analysis shows that for sunflower and canola all conditions are favorable, as per
frequency of crops, price and returns as oilseed get returns of 166% higher than
Jatropha. Oil contents of sunflower and canola are higher than Jatropha. Analy-
sis concludes that it is more feasible to grow oilseeds because in trade-off be-
tween food and fuel, food should win. Before launching commercial production of
Jatropha in Pakistan key issues need to be addressed including maintaining the
goal of food security, water scarcity, cost-effectivity, and feasibility of Jatropha
in comparison with oilseeds, pulses, feed crops and fuel-wood plants.
Key Words: Jatropha; Edible Oil; Biodiesel; Farming Potential; Pakistan.
INTRODUCTION rapeseed/mustard contribute 17%. The
gap between consumption and local produc-
Pakistan is facing a severe deficit of
tion (1.86 mt) is bridged through import of
edible oils, and substantial amount of for-
edible oils worth $ 1.7 billion annually (GoP,
eign exchange is being spent on the im-
2009).
port of edible oils. The total annual edible
On the supply side, low growth of ed-
oil requirement is 2.43 mt, out of which
ible oils production can be attributed to:
local production is 0.57 mt while 1.86 mt is
(a) Oilseed crops compete with wheat
being imported. Cottonseed contributes
which farmers prefer to grow as it is
51% of the domestic oil production while
not only a staple food and subsistence
sunflower the second important crop is con-
crop but have higher economic value
tributing about 32%, whereas canola and
*Natural Resources Division, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad, Pakistan.
177
SUMIA BINT ZAMAN ET AL.
in term of marketable products i.e. duce oilseeds. There is a large contingent
grain and straw and other high value of oilseeds that proved to be promising in-
crops in terms of resources i.e. land cluding rapeseed/mustard, canola, ground-
and specifically water in favourable nut, sunflower, safflower and sesame.
environments of the Indus basin; Groundnut is an important oilseed crop
b) High crop losses at the time of harvest- having 33% oil contents. Groundnut re-
ing and during the oil extraction due quires light soils and due to this specific
to lack of appropriate technology; requirement, its cultivation is confined to
c) Shortage of fresh water for profitable sandy soils. Canola, a promising oilseed
oilseed production; and with high yield potential, can also be grown
d) Neglect of effective policy support for pro- in barani areas having higher rainfall. It
duction, import of edible oils and oil- can be cultivated on all kinds of land ex-
seed procurement prices. cept on saline soils and sandy lands. It re-
On the demand side, higher demand quires about 3-4 irrigations during the
of edible oil can be attributed to high in- growing season (Jiskani, 2001) or well dis-
come and low price elasticity (Chaudhary tributed rainfall to meet crop water require-
et al., 1998). Higher demand can also be ment. Canola yield is 0.96 t ha-1 against
the result of changes in the dietary habits the potential of 3 t ha-1 (GoP, 2009). How-
of people as they have shifted towards foods ever yield of Canola has been fluctuating
consuming more vegetable oil. Edible oil over the time. Maximum yield was 1.5
prices in the neighboring countries are t ha-1 for 2002-03 (GoP, 2004). Its harvest-
higher than Pakistan thus resulted in ing at optimum time is important because
smuggling of imported edible oils to other early harvesting can reduce seed quality
countries (Ahmad and Hanif, 1986). This and late harvesting can enhance shatter-
is a double loss to the country by spending ing. Oil is upto 40% of seed weight (Weber
foreign exchange on import and no gain to et al., 1993). Similarly, in barani areas,
the government due to smuggling rather most of the cultivable land is kept fallow,
increased the demand for higher imports. when monsoon rains are adequate to pro-
It is possible to increase area of oil- vide water for summer oilseed crops like
seeds in different agro-ecological zones of soybeans. Experience of sunflower was not
Pakistan, where it can compete with other that rewarding due to heavy monsoon
crops because oilseeds are having low wa- rains. In the Dobari lands of Sindh and
ter requirement. These potential areas Balochistan, safflower can also be grown as
include; Coastal areas; Barani areas; Rod- Dobari crop using residual moisture of har-
kohi areas and Dobari lands in Sindh and vested rice fields. Sunflower has gained
Punjab provinces. In addition, there is po- higher popularity and acreage for boosting
tential for introducing high-yielding vari- production of edible oils. It is a short dura-
eties of oilseeds based on ecology and wa- tion crop (3-4 months), with higher yield
ter availability. For example, certain vari- potential (4 tha-1) and wide range of grow-
eties of palm oil and coconuts can be grown ing seasons (autumn, spring and winter).
in coastal areas, where freshwater is avail- It is a crop well adapted to semi-arid to arid
able. The plantation of coconut and oil palm environment with irrigation facility. Sun-
along the coastal areas would not only help flower has potential to be grown in both ir-
to produce edible oils, but it would also help rigated and high rainfall barani areas
to provide surface cover. Similarly, there where rainfall is well distributed.
is a scope for growing olive in the moun- On the other hands, bio-fuels (crop and
tainous region (Chaudhary et al., 1998). wood-based raw materials such as molas-
Olive plants grow well in temperate cli- ses, rice husks, corn and wood waste,
mates of Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and which are processed into fuel) have begun
barani areas. to look like an increasingly viable option.
Barani areas have the potential to pro- Pakistan needs continuous supply of cheap
178
EDIBLE OIL AND BIO-DIESEL IN PAKISTAN
energy. In renewable energy field, Pakistan as such does not compete with food crops
is using hydropower for energy needs suc- in medium to high rainfall areas. The
cessfully, whereas projects regarding solar seeds contain 30-40% oil that can be eas-
and wind energy are in progress. Biomass, ily expelled and processed to produce a
a renewable energy source, is gaining in- high-quality bio-diesel fuel, usable in a
terest of many researchers because it pro- standard diesel engine (PARC-PSO, 2008).
duces similar type of fuel extracted from Primary claims favoring Jatropha over
crude oil. Energy from biomass only de- other crops are its non-food nature, reported
pends upon the availability of cheap raw ability to grow on marginal lands and need
material. Biodiesel (produced by the reac- for limited rainfall. However, experiences
tion of vegetable oil and alcohol) can be across developing world have been quite
used with same or with better performance varied reflecting complexities in local prac-
in diesel engines. It is a clean fuel that tices, soil, water and climatic factors
causes less environmental pollution as (PARC-PSO, 2008). The study conducted by
compared to petro-fuels. High cost and dis- Pakistan State Oil used 24 irrigations dur-
continuous supply of vegetable oils is the ing the first year which contradict that it
main hurdle for its general acceptance. can grow in marginal lands with limited
Bio-diesel is the possible reciprocal to rainfall. The question posed to PSO and
petro-diesel or otherwise diesel engine will PARC-Coastal Agricultural Research Sta-
be useless after the depletion of petro-fu- tion, Karachi (CARS) is that why not they
els (Khan and Dessouky, 2008). For devel- grow Jatropha under non-irrigated condi-
oping countries, bio-fuels can reduce en- tions, when they claim that it can grow
ergy import bills as well as earn precious with limited rainfall. The situation was
foreign exchange. However, reconfiguring same at Arid Zone Research Institute
the fuel economy to renewable sources is (AZRI), Bahawalpur and AZRI, Umerkot
not without risks. Similarly, multinational where almost same number of irrigations
corporations giving price incentives to was applied.
farmers, to switch from growing food crops Jatropha is considered to be drought
to bio-fuel crops, can threaten food secu- tolerant and can be grown on the marginal
rity. The specific bio-fuel is ethanol ex- lands with no or minimum water require-
tracted from molasses, a by-product of sugar ments. Rainfall required for Jatropha is
while other indigenous raw materials, reported between 200mm and 500mm
such as maize, rice, wood pulp and other (Donizeth, 2008). Claims are being increas-
forest residues are available in large quan- ingly questioned as experiences in India,
tities, they do not offer the same scope for Pakistan and many other countries have
value addition that sugarcane does. The shown that for optimum Jatropha, yield
potential for producing bio-fuels from corn, water is an essential input under arid en-
rice husks and wood waste exists but has vironments.
not been tapped yet. Despite the potential As per Indian experience the seedlings
advantages, progress in promoting bio-etha- require irrigation during the first 2-3
nol lacks policy impetus. The oil refining months of planting. The requirement of
companies, in collusion with the Ministry water is contingent upon local soil and cli-
of Petroleum, have managed to keep a lid matic conditions. The critical stages of ir-
on private sector involvement (SDPI, 2007). rigation (viz., transplanting, dry spell dur-
Jatropha plant has originated in Cen- ing summer in first year of plantation for
tral America and spread to other tropical survival in rainfed areas, flowering to con-
and subtropical countries. It is mainly trol sex switching and promote anther de-
grown in Asia and Africa. Used mainly as a hiscence) and frequency need to be worked
living fence to protect gardens and fields out to economize water application. The
from animals. It is claimed that Jatropha appropriate mulching practice should be
is resistant to a high degree of aridity and worked out. Any material locally used as
179
SUMIA BINT ZAMAN ET AL.
mulch like newspaper will help to conserve require tillage. In southern Africa, the best
moisture for establishment of saplings time for planting is in the warm season to
(Gour, 2006). The irrigation at fortnightly avoid the cold season since the plants are
intervals is compulsory to ensure year sensitive to ground frost that may occur in
round production of flowers and harvest of the cold season (RFDFSIRDC, 1998).
seeds (Singh et al., 2006). It confirms the The review of regional and global ex-
work done by AZRI, Bahawalpur; AZRI, periences indicated that Jatropha can be
Umerkot and PSO, Karachi. grown cost-effectively in hot climates hav-
Highest potential yields of Jatropha in ing rainfall of over 1000 mm per annum.
South Africa are likely to be obtained in This is the requirement for Pakistan’s arid
the coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal, where lands for a plantation which requires wa-
temperatures range from 17°C to 28°C ter throughout the year. Important to note
during October-April and from 11°C to 25°C that best crop yields are expected in hotter
in the colder months (May-September). An- climates and thus water requirement will
nual rainfall is about 690 mm, falling be higher than cooler regions. But the
throughout the year, Eastern Cape, inland, yields are marginal in cooler regions hav-
and eastern slopes of the Drakensberg ing incidence of frost or semi-arid to arid
Mountains in Mpumalanga, where yields climates having low and uncertain rain-
of over 8 t ha-1 are achieved. At the other fall. The spate irrigation and barani areas
extreme, low yields of less than 2 t ha-1 are where water is available and farmers have
found in the northern parts of the country large land holdings certainly provide an op-
and along the south-eastern seaboard. The portunity for bio-diesel plantation. These
central interior is not at all suitable for areas are located in D.I. Khan, D.G. Khan,
Jatropha due to low rainfall and frost. The Sibi, Lasbela, Umerkot etc. However,
effective management of commercially feasibilty has to be developed. Areas should
planted species in terms of possible water be frost free.
resource impacts requires accurate infor- The specific objective of this study is
mation on generalized water use and bio- to evaluate primarily the regional and glo-
physical production characteristics rel- bal experiences to assess the potential of
evant to areas having planting potential. Jatropha farming in Pakistan and to con-
With such information largely lacking in duct a comparative economic analysis of
Jatropha, the Department of Water Affairs alternate feasible options e.g. production of
and Forestry, South Africa adopted a cau- oilseeds, which are also being imported in
tious approach and to propose that, until large quantities.
necessary information becomes available,
the large-scale cultivation of Jatropha, as MATERIALS AND METHODS
with other new species having similarly
The study methodology is largely based
uncertain water requirement, be declared on the analysis of secondary data for edible
a Stream Flow Reduction Activity (WRC, oils and bio-fuel (Jatropha). Temporal analy-
2008). Similarly in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, sis for 1950-09 was conducted for edible oils
Jatropha grows well in hot climate with consumption, production and imports us-
rainfall of over 1000 mm. Experience in ing secondary data. Analysis of actual and
Zimbabwe has shown that high rainfall in potential yields was conducted for oilseeds
the relatively cooler parts of the country using actual crop yield in comparison with
does not encourage the same vigorous the potential yields. Furthermore, projec-
growth. However, in the low-rainfall areas, tions for 2010-30 are made for edible oils
such as in the mid-Save region, Jatropha consumption, production and production
grows well, although comparative yields gap using average growth rates during 1990
have not been established. Jatropha does and 2008.
not thrive in wetland conditions. The plant As Jatropha is still in the phase of ex-
is undemanding in soil type and does not perimentation, so inferences are made
180
EDIBLE OIL AND BIO-DIESEL IN PAKISTAN
from India due to similarity of ecologies (cli- lated as per Economic Coordination Com-
mate, soil and water). Seed and oils yield of mittee (ECC) policy. Land requirement for
Jatropha are found from fifth year as yields Jatropha cultivation is calculated to make
are low from first year of plantation while analysis of the ECC target by utilizing do-
economical yield starts from fifth year since mestic resources.
its plantation using data available for dif-
ferent spacing of plants, fertile and poor RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
soils and irrigated as well as barani lands.
Trend Analysis of Total Consumption,
Analysis of water-yield function is based on
Production and Imports of Edible Oils in
yield data from India for five years since
Pakistan
plantation. On barani lands Jatropha seed
yields are analyzed under low, normal and Pakistan was self-reliant in edible oils
high rainfall scenarios. Under irrigated con- at the time of independence and main-
ditions seed production scenarios for light, tained this trend till 1950s. Total consump-
medium and full irrigation are analyzed tion of edible oil is taken as local produc-
providing all the inputs. Statistical signifi- tion plus imports with the assumption that
cance is checked out for the data of water whatever is produced and imported in a year
yield function using Analysis of Variance is consumed. It, however, started import-
(ANOVA) method. ing edible oils to supplement domestic pro-
Benefit-cost analysis is made compar- duction in late 1950s but it was on limited
ing Jatropha cultivation on poor soils un- scale until 1970. Share of imports sharply
der rainfed farming and on fertile soils with increased in the second half of 1970s when
irrigation using field data from India. In
the import of edible oil were about 50% of
poor soils, analysis includes cost of land
the total consumption as compared to 5%
preparation, planting of seedlings, and
in 1970and this increasing trend is being
weeding/harvesting. There is no fertilizer
followed till now. Domestic production of ed-
and irrigation applied. On the other hand
ible oil is 23% of the total consumption
in the fertile soils it includes the cost of
while 77% is being imported. In mid 70s,
land preparation, planting of seedlings,
the canal water supplies had increased due
FYM, irrigation, and weeding/harvesting
to the storage reservoirs of Mangla,
for the first year of planting while cost for
Chashma and Tarbela which became op-
the subsequent years includes fertilizer, ir-
erational in 1967, 1971 and 1976, respec-
rigation, weeding/harvesting. Analysis of
tively (Afzal, 1996). This increase in water
yield and gross return is made on the yield
availability resulted in the adoption of high
obtained in third year when plant starts its
delta crops (cotton, sugarcane, fruits and
harvestable yield. Using benefit-cost analy-
vegetables) and area under oilseeds and
sis break-even point was estimated.
coarse grains was reduced. According to
Comparative economic analysis of oil-
seeds and Jatropha in terms of oil contents, GoP (1972, 1983, 1998, 1998a, 2004, 2007
number of crops per year, yield and gross and 2009), consumption increased signifi-
returns are worked out. Potential seed yield cantly with the passage of time but there
and oil content are taken for analysis un- is very slow growth of production. In 1970-
der low, medium and high yield scenarios. 71, oilseeds occupied nearly 3% of total cul-
Data for seed production of Jatropha is tivated area, which is 2.4% in 2008-09.
based on Indian experience while data for There was a little improvement in edible
oilseeds is provided by the Oilseeds oils production with the introduction of sun-
Programme at NARC, Islamabad. flower as it promises high yield and higher
Total consumption of petro-diesel is oil contents. Since the last 15 years, pro-
projected for 2025 based on average growth duction has shown fluctuating trends
rate of total diesel consumption from 1990- mainly attributed to the fluctuation in yield
2009 and 10% of that projection is calcu- of cotton (Figure 1).
181
SUMIA BINT ZAMAN ET AL.
3 oils on the exchequer necessitates an in-
2.5 crease in the domestic production of oil-
mt) 2 seeds. There is huge gap between con-
oil ( 1.5 sumption and domestic production of edible
e oils and if this trend continues, the gap
bl
di 1 would be further wider. According to GoP
E
0.5 (2009), production gap is about 1.86 million
0 tons. Total requirement of edible oils is pro-
50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 00 05 06 07 08 09 jected with 3.76% growth rate and produc-
9- 4- 9- 4- 9- 4- 9- 4- 9- 4- 9- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8-
94 95 95 96 96 97 97 98 98 99 99 00 00 00 00 00 tion is projected with 4.02% growth rate
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2
from 1990 to 2008. Total requirement of
Period
edible oil is projected at 5.36 mt by 2030
while projected level of production is 1.98
mt and the gap is 3.4 mt (Figure 3), within
the current framework of policy and agri-
Actual and Potential Yield Analysis of cultural development in the country.
Oilseeds in Pakistan
Actual yield of oilseeds (GoP, 2009) is 6
in the range of 15-46% of potential yield
5
(Muhammad, 1986). Although, safflower, t)
m 4
stiuvenlfylo gwoeord ayniedl dC, atnhoeyla aarere s tsihllo gwiviningg rleelsas- oil ( 3
e
than half of its potential yield. Lack of ap- bl
di 2
propriate technology and inefficient har- E
1
vesting and extraction machinery are the
major factors contributing to low productiv- 0
ity and inefficient extraction of oil. Crop 2009-10 2014-15 2019-20 2024-25 2029-30
Period
losses at the time of harvesting and dur-
Figure 3. Projected edible oils require-
ing extraction of oil reduce production of
ment ( ), production ( ) and produc-
edible oils. The low productivity of oilseeds
tion gap ( ) during 2009-2030
is largely due to shortage of fresh water for
profitable production (Figure 2), as they Situational Analysis of Jatropha Produc-
cannot compete with wheat. tion in Pakistan
Projected Edible Oil Requirement, Local According to the US Energy Informa-
Production and Production Gap tion Administration’s 2006 International
The burden due to the import of edible Energy Outlook, global consumption of mar-
keted energy is projected to rise by 71%
during 2003-30 (EIA, 2006). Given that en-
10
ergy demand is projected to keep rising and
8 oil supplies are constrained, there has been
t)
eld ( 6 intensive discussion about bio-fuels. Much
yi of the discussion is projecting bio-fuels as
p 4
o a source of environment-friendly energy
Cr 2 that would also be a boon to the farmers.
0 Regarding Pakistan, the GoP policy states
CanoRlaaSpuensfeleodw e&r MusterdSaOffliolwsereeSodyb ecarnopMsaizGeroundnut Sesame tsabhunioamd-t d e01ide.07 s%b2ely ,om fPd tta ehokcefli i sfndutiiarnennsg ea (lcti .haee en.o, d icl0 )of .uub8rne n mtsarwytc ’eisot cof ihimdl eicpdeoos ntreo-tl
Figure 2. Actual ( ) vs potential ( ) yield of bill by US $ 1.00 billion. To achieve this
oil seeds in Pakistan target, land requirement will be around
182
EDIBLE OIL AND BIO-DIESEL IN PAKISTAN
0.43 mha (GoP, 2007). Some initiatives efits of growing and processing Jatropha
have been taken on experimental basis by (PARC News, 2009).
various agencies to initiate production of Pakistan has embarked on a bio-fuel
Jatropha: driven model to address the need of energy
Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has planted and to evolve right protocols to plan and
17,000 saplings of Jatropha in Sindh. To implement initiatives in a sustainable
produce 10% blend of biodiesel, about 0.43 manner. This would mean factoring the
m ha of land is required for Jatropha plan- impact of competition for other land uses,
tation. PSO’s ultimate goal is to signifi- such as production of food or other crops at
cantly participate in blending 10% of the planning stage. Feed stocks for bio-fuel
country’s total petro-diesel consumption (8 remain at the core of any bio-fuels venture.
mt) with bio-diesel (PARC-PSO, 2008). Jatropha Yield
Small scale plantations of Jatropha
Jatropha plants start yielding seeds
were established on experimental basis on
within a year. It starts giving seed yield of
one acre land each at AZRI, Bahawalpur;
2-4 kg per plant from fifth year upto 40-50
AZRI Farm, Cholistan; AZRI, Umerkot and
years. Reports from the North East Hill re-
AZRI, D. I. Khan. The soil is clay-loam and
gion of India (Shankaran et al., 2003)
sandy-clay. For the establishment phase,
showed the yield in different conditions: a)
irrigations have been applied fortnightly
under dry land conditions, 1 t ha-1; b) under
from April to November and on monthly
hedge, 1 kg; and c) under irrigated condi-
basis from December to March. The experi-
tions, 1.5 t ha-1. Plantation is done at the
mentation at AZRI, Bahawalpur also con-
onset of rains in July and extends up to the
firmed that 24 irrigations are required per
end of August. In September, the season
annum during the first year of establish-
becomes dry and cool which is unsuitable
ment (personal communication with Direc-
for plantation. The data provided is not ad-
tor AZRC, Quetta). The message is that ir-
equate for developing any inferences for
rigation is essential for growing Jatropha
Pakistan as quantity and frequency of irri-
and irrigation input can be estimated at
gation is not defined.
around 1200 mm per year. This confirms
The strength of Jatropha so far re-
the results of Zimbabwe, India and other
corded is the habit of desiccation tolerance.
countries that over 1000 mm of rainfall is
The bare rooted saplings once kept upright
needed for optimal production of Jatropha
under shade survive even up to 90 days
(RFDFSIRDC, 1998).
without loss of viability. The weakness of
Based on the initial progress, PARC
plant as a crop is low yielding nature and
has formally initiated a Project on bio-fu-
susceptibility towards frost. It could not
els covering Jatropha, Sukh Chain and
survive above 1200 m where winter is se-
Castor, where plantations are being ex-
vere and dry.
panded to larger area at AZRI, Bahawalpur;
In another study, Jatropha yield
AZRI, Umerkot; AZRI, D. I. Khan and SARC,
ranges from 1-5 t ha-1; whereas 2.5 t ha-1 is
Karachi. achievable and yield of 5 t ha-1 can be real-
PARC and Kijani Energy (KE), a sus- ized with optimal inputs. The yield in-
tainable energy company of Canada, signed creases till the sixth year and stabilize
a MoU to focus on the development of large- thereafter. It is mainly influenced by plant-
scale cultivation of Jatropha in Pakistan. ing material and management practices.
Objectives of the MoU was to undertake Ja- The Indian Council of Agricultural Re-
tropha cultivation on mass scale, to inves- search has identified first ever variety of
tigate its potential including cultivation on Jatropha SDAU J1 (Chatrapati) for commer-
marginal lands with the consideration that cial cultivation for the semi-arid and arid
such areas should not have been used for regions of Gujrat and Rajisthan. It gives
food production in the last five years, and higher yield compared to other varieties.
educate farmers and industry with the ben- Farmers’ average yield is 1.1 tha-1 under
183
SUMIA BINT ZAMAN ET AL.
barani conditions. It is drought resistant ditions.
and can be raised in areas with annual Water Yield Functions of Jatropha
rainfall of 300-500 mm (Gour, 2006). How-
Review of Indian literature indicated
ever, the data provided does not indicate
that it is very difficult to estimate yield of
whether irrigations were applied, if not ap-
Jatropha seed grown in varying climatic
plied then how plant was established in very
conditions, availability of water and age of
low rainfall regimes of 300-500 mm per
plantation. Productivity is a function of
annum.
water, nutrients, heat and age of the plan-
Indian Council of Forestry Research
tation. Many different methods of establish-
and Education (ICFRE), Directorate of Oil-
ment, farming and harvesting are possible.
seeds Research, Hyderabad reported that
Productivity can be enhanced with right bal-
no promising varieties with either higher
ance of water, nutrients and crop manage-
oil contents and/or responsive to higher
ment. According to CJP (2009) the yield
inputs could be noticed in the country. If
varies largely with the age of plant and
results so far available from field trials of
water availability. The seed yield varies
research institutes (viz., Central Research
from 1.0 to 12.5 t ha-1 after five years of
Institute for Dryland Agriculture,
plantation due to variation in rainfall and
Hyderabad; Gujrat Agricultural Institute,
irrigation. In this study, rainfall and irri-
Dantiwada and Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh
gation regimes are clearly defined and data
Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola) and private com-
are worth consideration for planning Jat-
panies (Tree Oils Limited, Hyderabad) as
ropha plantations in Pakistan.
well as the earlier experiences of a large
Jatropha Water-Yield Function under
number of Maharastra farmers, the aver-
Barani Conditions in India
age yields from available planting materi-
Throughout the literature there is a
als in dry lands are unlikely to exceed 1
confusion regarding the yield of Jatropha,
t ha-1 year-1 (Rao, 2006).
the variation has been reported by differ-
Minimum and maximum oil yield
ent agencies but the reason of such a wide
range given for irrigated area is 0.438-
variation was hardly explained.
1.942 t ha-1 and for barani areas it varies
Yield of Jatropha varies significantly
from 0.175 to 0.971 t ha-1. This is a clear
with the age and highest yield under all
indication that water is essential for hav-
the three rainfall regimes was achieved
ing profitable yield. Spacing of 3mx3m is
after fifth year in the order of 1.1, 2.0 and
used for relatively fertile soils having wa-
2.75 t ha-1 respectively for low, normal and
ter availability (1110 plants ha-1), whereas
high rainfall regimes (Table 2). Results
spacing of 2mx2m (2500 plants ha-1) is used
were significant at 1% level of probability.
where soil is relatively less fertile or poor
Further analysis of variance indicated that
soil and inputs like fertilizer and irrigation
yield is also dependent on rainfall (i.e. 1.1-
are not applied (Table 1). There is wide vari-
2.75 t ha-1) at significance level of 1% of
ability of yield within India. In this study
probability (Table 3).
frequency and quantity of supplemental ir-
The rainfall has direct influence on the
rigation is not defined for irrigated condi-
productivity of Jatropha seed, as the yield
tions. Further there is no mention that how
reduced to almost one-third from high
plants were established under rainfed con-
Table 1. Economic yield of Jatropha (after 5th year)
Minimum yield Maximum yield
Spacing (2mx2m) - 2500 plant ha-1 Spacing (3mx3m) - 1110 plant ha-1
Yield/plant Yield t ha-1 Oil t ha-1 Yield/plant Yield t ha-1 Oil t ha-1
Rainfed 0.200 kg 0.5 0.175 2.5 kg 2.775 0.971
Irrigated 0.500 kg 1.25 0.438 5 kg 5.550 1.942
184
EDIBLE OIL AND BIO-DIESEL IN PAKISTAN
Table 2. Water yield functions of Jatropha under barani conditions for different
planting period
Jatropha seed yield (t ha-1) under barani conditions
Planting period (year) Low rainfall Normal rainfall High rainfall
1 0.10 0.25 0.40
2 0.50 1.00 1.50
3 0.75 1.25 1.75
4 0.90 1.75 2.25
5 1.10 2.00 2.75
http://www.jatrophabiodiesel.org/jatrophaPlantation.php (CJP, 2009)
Table 3. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of Jatropha water yield function under barani
conditions for different planting periods
Source of Variation SS df MS F P-value Fcrit
Rows 5.081667 4 1.270417 19.38334 0.000354 3.837853
Columns 2.817333 2 1.408667 21.49269 0.000606 4.45897
Error 0.524333 8 0.065542
Total 8.423333 14
rainfall to low rainfall regimes. This clearly medium and full irrigation schedules
shows that the statement normally given (Table 4). Analysis of variance indicated
that it can be grown in marginal areas is that yield is critically dependent (Table 4)
not true for rainfall. Rainfall is a major fac- on water input (i.e. 5.25-12.5 t ha-1) at sig-
tor in productivity as same level of nutri- nificance level of 1% probability (Table 5).
ent was maintained in all the treatments. This clearly shows that the statement
Jatropha Water-Yield Functions under normally given that it can be grown in
Irrigated Conditions in India marginal areas without irrigation is not
Yield of Jatropha varies significantly true, because the irrigation input in-
with the age and highest yield under all creased the productivity by five-fold. Thus,
the three irrigation schedules was returns will be marginal without irrigation
achieved after fifth year in the order of 5.25, even in high rainfall regimes because of
8.00, and 12.5 t ha-1 respectively for light, variability in occurrence and distribution
Table 4. Water-yield function of Jatropha under irrigated conditions for different
planting
Jatropha seed yield (t ha-1) under irrigated conditions
Planting period (year) Light irrigation Medium irrigation Full irrigation
1 0.75 1.25 2.50
2 1.00 1.50 3.00
3 4.25 5.00 5.00
4 5.25 6.25 8.00
5 5.25 8.00 12.50
http://www.jatrophabiodiesel.org/jatrophaPlantation.php (CJP, 2009)
Table 5. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of Jatropha water yield function under
irrigated conditions for different planting period
Source of variation SS df MS F P-value F crit
Rows 110.275 4 27.56875 16.45896 0.000629 3.837853
Columns 21.43333333 2 10.71667 6.39801 0.0219 4.45897
Error 13.4 8 1.675
Total 145.1083333 14
185
SUMIA BINT ZAMAN ET AL.
of rainfall. Variability in both spatial and 2000 per year. In the fertile soil cost ac-
temporal terms is very high in monsoonal counts for Rs. 17350 in the first year and
and temperate climates. Thus, irrigation Rs. 7500 in the subsequent years (Table
is the major factor in productivity as same 6). This includes the cost of land prepara-
level of nutrient was maintained. Higher tion, planting of seedlings, FYM, irrigation,
rainfall can help to reduce irrigation input and weeding/harvesting for the first year
and thus reducing production cost. of planting while cost for the subsequent
Cost and Benefit Analysis years includes fertilizer cost, irrigation,
weeding/harvesting. Analysis of yield and
Among all the oil bearing crops, Jatro-
return is made on the yield obtained in
pha has emerged as the focal point for the
third year as Jatropha starts giving
bio-fuel industry with rapid R&D invest-
harvestable yield. Comparison of cost and
ments flowing into its cultivation, process-
return is made between the cultivation on
ing and conversion into bio-diesel. With
poor soils under rainfed farming and fer-
growing emphasis on the sustainability of
tile soils with irrigation. Jatropha on poor
the bio-fuels, there has been a pressure
soils gives yield of 220kg oil ha-1 while it is
on regulatory and policy organizations to set
830kg oil ha-1 on fertile soils with irriga-
in place sustainable models for Jatropha
tion.
cultivation and use as a bio-fuel feedstock.
Cultivation on Marginal Lands Gives
Cost and Benefit Analysis of Jatropha
Marginal Returns
in India
Yield is taken from third year of plan-
Tamil Nadu Agriculture University
tation and projections of economics of Jat-
(TNAU) reported that there are yield differ-
ropha were made. Returns of Jatropha on
entials of Jatropha seed from first year to
poor/rainfed soils amounted to Rs. 6650
the subsequent years. In the first year yield
ha-1 while returns on Jatropha on fertile
is nominal. In third year yield is
soils with irrigation are Rs. 24950 ha-1
harvestable. In fifth year economic yield is
(Table 7). There is variation in yield of Ja-
obtainable. Cost-benefit analysis is made
tropha cultivated on marginal soils with no
based on the analysis of Jatropha cultiva-
additional input comparative to the yield
tion on poor soils by NGO on fertile soils. In
obtained from fertile soils with irrigation.
poor soil, 2mx1.5m spacing and in fertile
This reveals the fact that hypothesis of cul-
soil 2mx3m spacing is used. In poor soil, it
tivating Jatropha on marginal lands is not
includes cost of land preparation, planting
true for commercial scale activity.
of seedlings and weeding/harvesting.
The economics of growing Jatropha in
There is no fertilizer and irrigation applied
fertile soils with irrigation is better than
and it ends up in the Indian Rs. 10600 in
that of poor soils with no inputs provision.
the first year and in subsequent years only
After the establishment of crop, cost in the
cost is of weeding/harvesting which is Rs.
Table 6. Cultivation cost of Jatropha
Land Poor soil of rainfed farming Fertile soil with irrigation
Spacing 2mx1.5m 2mx3m
Density 3330 plants ha-1 1670 plants ha-1
Year I II III I II III
Land preparation (Rs) 2000 0 0 1670 0 0
Planting of seedlings (Rs) 6600 0 0 8680 0 0
FYM (Rs) 0 0 0 1500 0 0
Fertilizer (Rs) 0 0 0 0 2000 2000
Irrigation (Rs) 0 0 0 3000 3000 3000
Weeding and Harvesting (Rs) 2000 2000 2000 2500 2500 2500
Total 10600 2000 2000 17350 7500 7500
186