Patna: With World Biofuel Day observed on Sunday, many in the city may recall former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s visit to Patna nearly two decades ago, when he urged the use of jatropha plantations and rural biofuel ventures to meet Bihar’s energy needs, reported The Times of India.
Speaking at Patna University’s convocation at S.K. Memorial Hall on December 30, 2005, Kalam suggested using wetland areas for cultivating jatropha. He had said that planting biofuel crops on 11 million hectares of unused land could generate ₹20,000 crore in revenue each year and create over 1.2 crore jobs, both in farming and in running oil extraction units.
While Patna University scientists did not start a dedicated project to boost the plant’s cultivation, agricultural experts later identified 13 districts in the state as suitable for jatropha. Farmers in Purnia and Kaimur are already growing it commercially, said Patna University’s botany department head, Birendra Prasad.
Prasad noted that jatropha, locally known as Ratan Jot, is one of the most promising sources for biodiesel. “Along with jatropha, crops like maize and sugarcane are also being used to produce ethanol. Expanding such crops can significantly increase biofuel production,” he said.
Bihar currently has 12 ethanol plants producing a total of 5.65 billion litres, with 60% of the output sent to southern states. By 2026, nine new ethanol factories are expected to come up in districts including Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Kaimur, Muzaffarpur, Barh, Jamui, Vaishali and Buxar, according to the state industries department.
The government recently updated its Bihar Biofuels Production Promotion Policy for 2025, aiming to boost ethanol and compressed bio-gas (CBG) production from organic waste like farm residue and animal dung. The policy also focuses on reducing pollution and promoting a cleaner environment.
This year’s World Biofuel Day theme is “Biofuels: a sustainable pathway to net zero.”
Environmentalist Mehta Nagendra Singh said the policy supports Bihar’s goal of expanding renewable energy use and contributing to India’s net-zero emissions targets. “It creates a clear plan to build a strong biofuel industry in the state, bring in investments, open up new jobs, and move towards a greener future,” he said.
