Ratanjot (Jatropha curcas linn) family Euphorbiaceae is a native plant of South America but has a long history of propagation in India. In the State of Rajasthan this plant is known as Jangli Arandi and major patches are grown naturally in the tribal belt of Kumbalgarh district in Udaipur. It is semi-wild bush or shrub or hedge and quite hardy to face dry wheather conditions and not browsed by cattle.
It flowers in March or in hot rainy season. The seed resemble with caster seed in shape but smaller in size and covered in dull brown black capsule. The plant attains a hight of 3-4 mtrs. The plant can survive in arid and semi arid regions of the state and even on degraded soils having low fertility and moisture. It can also thrives well on stoney gravelly or shallow and even on calcarious soils. For the emergency of seed hot and humid climate is required, so the climate of Udaipur & Banswara district is most suitable for its commercial plantation. The plant is also useful for hedging and soil conservation purposes but the small size of holding of tribal farmers of that districts is the major hindrance in the development of cluster commercial plantation in this region.
About 5 kg seed is required for the plantation of 1 ha. The plant should be preferably raised in polybags of half kg capacity in the month of May or June. The seeds are shown in each polybag at 6 cm depth. The seed germinate after a week. The eight week old seedling (6-8 inch height) used for plantation during July to September. The plant can also be raised during February March by cutting. The plantation should be done in rows at a spacing of 2X2 mtr under irrigated conditions accommodating 2500 plants per hectare. On rain fed waste land high density planting at 2X1 mtr or 1.5X1.5 mtr accommodating 4000-5000 plant/ha can also be practiced.
The 30 cm X 30 cm pit is filled with a mixture of (FYM 2-3 kg; Urea 20 gm SSP 120 gm & 16 gm MOP). The plantation can be done by direct or transplanting method. During dry periods life saving irrigation is required in the State of Rajasthan it flowers between September - December and March - April. The fruiting extends from September to December. The fruit mature 2-4 months after flowering. The plant starts giving yield after 3 years and a seven year plantation can yield up to 40 qtl. Seed per ha.
The oil is used as lubricants, soap and candle manufacturing. So it can generate small scale employment opportunity in the tribal and remote rural belts of the State. Oil yield from established plantation can yield around 1.5 - 2.0 tones/ha. The future possibility of exploring Jatropha oil as bio diesel are going on at the experimental and industrial levels. It is environmental safe, cost effective renewable source of non conventional energy and a promising substitute for diesel kerosene, coal, LPG & other fuel oils. Jatropha oil has also medicinal properties. The seed sold in local markets at about Rs 5-10/kg and used in cottage and small scale household industries.
During the year 2003-04 National Oilseeds & Vegetable oils Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India has sponsored a Jatropha Development Project in the State of Rajasthan through State Department of Agriculture. The physical & financial targets are given as under with subsidy provision:

SNO Programme Phy.Target (No.of plants) Subsidy Provision Total financial provision(Rs.in lacs)
1 Jatropha nursery 1.25 lacs Rs.4/- plant 5.00
2 Jatropha plantation 1.25 lacs Rs.8/- plant 10.00
3 Training 6 Rs.20000/- Trg. 1.20
4 Oil expeller 1 Rs.1.00 lacs 1.00
Total 17.20

Initially the programme is undertaken in six district viz.- Udaipur, Kota, Sikar, Banswara, Chittor and Churu district of the State. The Dy.Director of Agriculture (Ext) of the respective districts is the Nodal Officer responsible for the execution and implementation of this programme. About 50 ha area has been covered under cluster plantation of 1.15 lacs Jatropha plants with Gen., SCP & TSP flow as per Govt. of India provisions during the year 2003-04.

Recently the NOVOD Board, Govt.of India, has sanctioned a project on Development of Elite Planting material and model plantation of Jatropha. The project will cover an area of 300 ha in the year. 2004-05 with the plantation of 7.5 lacs of Jatropha plants. As per fix norms for seedling, input cost and plantation will be @ Rs. 25000/ha total costing of Rs. Seventy Five lacs. As per terms & conditions of NOVOD Board this model plantation programme will be organized preferably in cluster/ compact location of 10 ha area with the participation of schedule cast (16.48%) and schedule tribes(8.08%) farmers.

RAJASTHAN

Jatropha plantation is being initiated in the state by
A) Watershed Development and Soil Conservation Deptt., R.D & P.R Deptt.
B) Agriculture Deptt.
C) N.G.O'

In details progress are ___

R.D.Deptt/PR Deptt.

Under N.W.D.P.R.A & other W/s programme under R.D.S in district - Udaipur
Durgapur
Banswara
Raysamand
Chhatisgarh
Sirohi
Pali

Meeting of all C.E.O and PO (LR) conducted in month of Jan.05
Area to be covered in 04-05

Distt. W/s Arable Aq.land Non Arable & Par turn(Ho) Pray.
SirohiPali 5076 23253800 54255120 17.4 quintal seed collected4,60,000 plants per mu.114 quintal seed
Udaipur 3000 4000
9125 13545
=9,000 ha =14,000 ha 23,000 ha
=20,000 ha

Ag deptt. 300 ha National oilseed & veg.oils developmental. Board-Vas Sh.
N.G.O 900 ha Submitted Progress to National Oilseed & vegetable oil Dev.Board
Total 10,200 ha 14,000 ha
24,000 ha
Ag. Deptt.- National Oilseed & vegetable oils Dev. Board, Ministry of Agriculture, 601 in 2003-04 sponsored a Jatropha Dev. Project.
In the State
2003-04------50 ha----1.15 lac Jatropha plant
2004-05------300 ha---7.5 lac Jatropha plant

Aravali

NGO-Submitted Project to National Oilseed & vegetable oil Dev. Board ( NOVOB) on 08/02/05
Sanctioned at an early date is required

S.No. Name of Org. No. of family No. of Pln.
1. BAIF Udaipur 2900 12,80,000
2. Ray.Bal. Kalyan Samiti Jhadol 500 3,00,000
3. Prayatna Samiti, Udaipur 470 1,88,000
4. Seva Mandir, Udaipur 500 2,00,000
5. GVT Bansware 4,853 2,42,650
9,223 2210650 =900 ha