After making rapid strides in information technology sector, Orissa is now focusing on development of bio-technology in the state. The state’s first bio-technology park, which was started a couple of years ago, is all set to come up in the city next month. This park, claims state science and technology minister Rabinarayan Nanda, would give a boost to research and development in the sector.
This apart, the bio-diesel policy which is under formulation is in the final stage and is likely to be announced soon.
The state government is actively considering the proposal of extensive plantation of jatropha and other oil seeds for bio-diesel production. Worried over the rising energy requirement of the state, officials of forest, agriculture and administrative departments are holding regular discussions to develop bio-diesel production. The state government has already launched a pilot project on jatropha cultivation in the hilly Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi (KBK) districts.
Tribal farmers in the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and Modified Area Development Agency (MADA) areas are being encouraged by the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) to go for large-scale jatropha cultivation.
It needs to be mentioned here that the Planning Commission has been encouraging all the states to go for bio-diesel as an alternative for petrol and diesel. The OREDA, in the first phase, has set up a 600-litre per day capacity bio-diesel extraction plant and all vehicles used by the agency are running on bio-diesel.
"If the need arises, another extraction plant will be set up," minister Mr Nanda informed.
This apart, the bio-diesel policy which is under formulation is in the final stage and is likely to be announced soon.
The state government is actively considering the proposal of extensive plantation of jatropha and other oil seeds for bio-diesel production. Worried over the rising energy requirement of the state, officials of forest, agriculture and administrative departments are holding regular discussions to develop bio-diesel production. The state government has already launched a pilot project on jatropha cultivation in the hilly Koraput-Bolangir-Kalahandi (KBK) districts.
Tribal farmers in the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and Modified Area Development Agency (MADA) areas are being encouraged by the Orissa Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) to go for large-scale jatropha cultivation.
It needs to be mentioned here that the Planning Commission has been encouraging all the states to go for bio-diesel as an alternative for petrol and diesel. The OREDA, in the first phase, has set up a 600-litre per day capacity bio-diesel extraction plant and all vehicles used by the agency are running on bio-diesel.
"If the need arises, another extraction plant will be set up," minister Mr Nanda informed.