Medical Education Minister V S Acharya said he would suggest the State government to promote Jathropa cultivation in the State seriously.

Speaking to reporters here after participating in a ‘Jathropa field day’, organised by Labland Biotech Private Limited, a plant biotech company based in Mysore, he said the State will also send a team from Science & Technology Department to Chattisgarh to find out how Jathropa cultivation is taken up in that State. Chattisgarh has been cultivating Jathropa on a large scale.

Labland Biotech Private Limited Managing Director Sudheer Shetty said the company is planning to set up a bio-diesel refinery at Mysore by end of next year provided it gets enough Jathropa feed stock.

At least 5,000 acres of plantations is required to set up a refinery of 50 tonnes a day capacity, he said, adding the firm has signed a contract with Gujarat government to cultivate Jathropa on 250 acres there.

Stating that there is no promotional activity with regard to Jathropa cultivation in the State, Dr Shetty said there is a need to set up a bio-diesel development board so it is easy to form any policies.