Siraha, April 15:

For the first time in Nepal, petroleum product has been produced from a Jatropha

plant using traditional method in Siraha.

Although production of alternative bio-fuel was started in other countries a few years ago, the central research centre of Gopal Charity Trust in Siraha has produced bio-fuel from the seeds of Jatropha recently and also has successfully tested it on engines.

Bio-fuel can be produced from the seeds of Jatropha, which can be found abundantly in Tarai and hilly area. Researcher and the chairperson of the trust Dr Tej Narayan Yadav stated that bio-fuel produced from Jatropha seeds are more environment friendly and are of higher quality.

Also, the oil produced from Jatropha is found to enhance the capacity of the engine. The smoke emitted by engines after using bio-fuel from Jatropha was found to contain less amount of sulphur, the director of the research centre Ram Milan Yadav said.

A local farmer of Jero mile in Siraha Ram Lakhan Mahato said, “When I used bio-fuel on my pump set, I found it to be more efficient than other fuel. Also less smoke was emitted from the pump set and the smoke was not pungent.”

The price of bio diesel is cheaper than that of petroleum products that we commonly use. One kg of oil can be extracted from three kgs of Jatropha seeds, which costs only Rs 10 per kg while the market price of diesel is Rs 60 per litre.

The by-products of Jatropha seeds can also be used to make glycerine and candle.

Dr Tej Narayan Yadav stated that the cost of bio-fuel could be further lessened if commercial farming of Jatropha is started. Plains and hilly area are appropriate for farming of Jatropha and it gives fruits within two years of plantation.

Although production of bio-fuel from Jatropha seeds is a new concept for Nepal, commercial farming of Jatropha has been started in the US, South Africa, Egypt, Uganda, Germany and other countries from 2003. Dr Yadav said encouraging the production of bio-fuel could be appropriate for countries reeling under the shortage of petroleum products.