Jatropha, an oil-bearing plant which grows in wastelands and requires little care, has long been touted as a potential answer to India's energy problems. Yet, the idea of exploring the commercial possibilities of this hardy plant has hitherto remained confined to seminars and field reports in this country. In a tie-up with Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research (CSMCRI), the makers of Mercedes Benz — DaimlerChrysler (DC) — have now acquired 30 hectares of wastelands in Orissa and Gujarat for the cultivation of Jatropha. Environmentalist Herbert Kohler of DC discusses the scope of the venture in an interview with Surojit Mahalanobis:

Biofuel from Spanish Jojoba, which is compatible with automotive engines, is freely available in other parts of the world. What's the point of growing a substitute for it — Jatropha — in India?

The question is not so much of competing with the Spanish example as of opening up a new possibility in India. Since we have got both corporate presence and the necessary resources in India, we are looking at the possibility of 'exploiting' wasteland for the purpose of fuel, and, in the process, regenerating it. Because after 10 to 15 years of Jatropha plantations, the wastelands, we believe, will turn into good farming lands. This will lead to a larger green cover and more sustainable development. We will also find ecologically usable technology for setting up commercial activities.

But why India? Aren't arid lands available in other parts of the world?

Because we have found the right kind of partner in CSMCRI, which is important for a complex and difficult project such as this. We found that they have got good research capability, and that is one reason which has motivated us to work here.

How much can you exploit from the eroded soils at Orissa and Gujarat?

All I can tell you at this stage is that the wastelands will soon support good agricultural possibilities. We will know more as the work progresses.

According to the laws of nature, there is always a residue after something is burnt, even though it may not be visible to the naked eye. So how can you claim zero emission from your biofuel?

No, zero emission is not possible and we have not claimed it. We can only minimise the emission level of carbon dioxide into a balanced, neutral form. Of course, we will not, in the combustion process, emit any more than what is currently acceptable in the case of cars. Besides, we'll reduce soot and noxious gas emission. But zero pollution level is impossible to realise. By demonstrating the viability of our ideas, however, we might be able to realistically catalyse the whole project dealing with the replacement of petrodiesel. But this is not our intention in the first place. What we want to do is to bring specific lands under plantation and produce an alternative to diesel.

Keeping the Johannesburg protocol in mind, what will be your role as an environmentalist in the project?

My responsibility is to arrive at the specific standard for the fuel, to do specific testing of the vehicles to attain that desirable standard, to find out the problems the biodiesel product is likely to face in the market and to solve them.

What will be the role of CSMCRI?

The CSMCRI will treat the Jatropha nuts, and produce from it the usable biodiesel which is an industrial product. We are financing them for this. For the first two years, the project will cost 6,00,000 euros, two-thirds of which will be borne by DC. The cost of salaries, amounting to another Rs 30 lakh for the first two years, will come from CSMCRI.

You've claimed that top Indian oil companies will join you in forging a sustainable level of production of the fuel...

It is very important that we find a local partner from the oil indus-try — such as the IndianOil Corporation — for the project right at the beginning. After all, we are only a car manufacturer and not really interested in producing biofuels in bulk. We are currently involved in discussions for future collaborations.

You've claimed that your efforts in India will create jobs. What kind of numbers are we looking at?

It's too early to project how many jobs will be created. Besides, as a car manufacturer it's not our job to make such predictions. What we can say is that with the kind of quality we have we can hope to create many openings. Our immediate target is to produce enough fuel to run two-three cars, and also to look for possible problem areas. It is a research project, and if all problems were already solved, we would not probably invest money in the project. But it may take three to five years to get the right specification for the biodiesel. As for the question of automotive compatibility, we feel the renewable fuel can be used without any major changes in engine specification. There is no need for any major modification. Indeed, some engines, which are responding well to the present-day diesel, may be suitable for the new fuel as well. We are optimistic about it.