Pongamia : A Versatile Tree

Contents Preface. About the book. About the authors. 1. Introduction. 2. Background information. 3. Methodology. 4. Resource characterization of farmers. 5. Economic analysis. 6. Employment and income. 7. Utility of Pongamia tree. 8. Marketing of Pongamia seed. 9. Conclusion. 10. Subject index. Pongamia pinnata is a multipurpose and multiuse farmers friendly tree in India. It thrives well in sub tropical regions and it is seen in almost all states in India. It is naturally germinated and grown in tank bunds field bunds water channel areas wastelands etc. Farmers use branches stems tree parts etc. for farm implements. Leaves and flower drops etc. are used as compost or green manure. Oil and oilcake can be used as pesticides and biofertilizer respectively. It has medicinal value and industrial use. It controls/reduces the atmospheric pollution. It is drought resistant unbrowsable and thrives in all soils but not too resistant to heavy frost. Of late it is recognized as the effective bio fuel plant and bio fuel has capacity to replace imported diesel so as to save huge foreign exchequer. Such valuable eco friendly farmers friendly industrial use and bio fuel plant is neglected in India. Hence a study was taken up to know present economic viability utility marketing channels etc. so as to have comprehensive idea to develop suitable models for its popularization by helping farmers through liberal loan facilities encouragement etc. It will go in the long way to be self reliant in bio fuel by replacing import of diesel and drastic reduction on foreign exchequer. 104 pp.…