Files
Details
Title
Powering Development for the Poor in India?
Author(s)
Adholeya, Alok
Issue Date
Aug 15 2007
Publication Type
Conference Paper/ Presentation
DOI and Other Identifiers
10.22004/ag.econ.124494
Record Identifier
https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/124494
PURL Identifier
http://purl.umn.edu/124494
Language
English
Total Pages
5
Note
In India, the energy sector is going to play an important
role in the inclusive and holistic growth of
the economy and society. Biofuels, apart from improving
the energy scenario, will also have a
positive effect on poor communities in rural sectors.
India currently imports 70% of its oil, and this
figure is estimated to touch 90% by 2030. Since
India has only 0.4% of world crude oil, alternatives
need to be found. Agriculture in India accounts for
43% of the total geographic area. The total estimated
energy requirement of the unelectrified rural
sector is about 102.6 million gigajoules(Gj). The
current program of bringing 0.4 million ha of marginal
land under biodiesel production would
amount to producing about 42.1 million Gj from
biodiesel, which can meet almost 50% of the energy
requirement of this sector. In terms of
achieving the target of cultivating 40 million ha of
land (the best-case scenario), however, the energy
production from biodiesel would be about 420.6
million Gj, which amounts to fulfilling most of the
total electricity needs in rural sector. Towards this
end, several states in the high- and mediumrainfall
category and where wastelands are in the
range of 0.1–5 million ha can be chosen for biodiesel
production. Targeting marginal, fallow or
wastelands would not only bring economic advantages
but also open new avenues of employment
and large-scale development, ensuring all-round
inclusive growth.