Karnataka opens four biofuel centers on International Biodiesel Day

Four Biofuel Information and Processing Centers in different parts of the the state of Karnataka, in India, started operations on August 10,  as a symbolic gesture of promoting the use of biofuels on the occasion of International Biodiesel Day. The centers in Chamarajanagar, Chintamani, Bijapur and Gulbarga would also serve as demonstration centers for the general public on the production of biodiesel, said Karnataka Biofuel Task Force Chairman Y.B. Ramakrishna. The state government had set an ambitious target of planting 15 crore biofuel saplings on 2.76 lakh hectares of degraded and barren land in the next three years under the Baradu bangaara and Hasiru honnu schemes, he said. Ramakrishna said the state’s bio-fuel policy was unique as its focus was on supporting the farmer level initiative, instead of encouraging mega investors. (August 11, 2010)