Wasteland utilisation
Demonstrated the potential of converting unproductive land into economically viable cultivation areas — contributing to soil conservation, erosion prevention and increased green cover.
Jatropha cultivation programme
A Coodu Trust-led initiative aligned with the Government of India's National Biofuel Policy — promoting bio-diesel crop cultivation on wasteland and marginal lands across the districts of Tamil Nadu.
2,00,000
Seedlings distributed
500 Ha
Cultivation area promoted
34.4%
Average oil content of seeds
Tamil Nadu
Farmers reached across various districts
The project
Turning wasteland into a livelihood crop
Project mission
Promote Jatropha curcas cultivation as a viable livelihood option for farmers by distributing quality seedlings and providing technical guidance for bio-diesel crop cultivation on wasteland and marginal lands — contributing to India's biofuel mission while creating sustainable income opportunities for rural communities.
The Jatropha cultivation programme was a Coodu Trust-led initiative, implemented in close coordination with government departments including the Agriculture Department and the Horticulture Department, and aligned with the Government of India's National Biofuel Policy. The Trust distributed nearly 2,00,000 Jatropha seedlings to farmers across various districts of Tamil Nadu and promoted cultivation across 500 hectares of wasteland and marginal land — land not suitable for conventional food crops, so biofuel plantations never competed with food production.
Jatropha curcas — known as “Kattamanakku” in Tamil and “Rattanjot” in Hindi — is valued for its oil-rich seeds, which yield 27–40% oil content suitable for biodiesel production. Tamil Nadu was among the states aggressively promoting Jatropha plantation to help farmers overcome losses due to irregular rainfall, and Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India, was one of the strongest advocates of Jatropha cultivation for biodiesel production.
The national context was ambitious: the policy envisioned that approximately 20% of India's domestic diesel demand would be met by biofuels, and the Government of India identified 400,000 square kilometres of wasteland suitable for Jatropha cultivation. The programme connected small and marginal farmers, wasteland owners and rural communities in drought-prone, wasteland-dominant areas to this national mission.
- Biofuel cultivation
- Wasteland reclamation
- Seedling distribution
- Technical guidance
Why this work matters
The challenge on the ground — and our answer
The challenge
Wasteland lying unproductive
Marginal and degraded land unsuited to conventional food crops sat idle — generating no income for the rural families who held it.
Our response
500 hectares of wasteland put to work
Jatropha cultivation promoted across 500 hectares of wasteland and marginal land — converting unproductive plots into biofuel plantations without competing with food production.
The challenge
Farm losses from irregular rainfall
Farmers in drought-prone districts faced repeated losses due to irregular rainfall — and adopting an unfamiliar alternative crop takes more than seeds alone.
Our response
A drought-tolerant crop, taught end to end
Nearly 2,00,000 seedlings distributed with technical guidance across the full crop cycle — land selection, planting, low-input crop management, harvesting and seed processing.
At a glance
The essentials
- Scheme
- Trust initiativeCoodu Trust-led, aligned with the Government of India's National Biofuel Policy
- Coverage
- Multiple districts, Tamil NaduFocus on drought-prone and wasteland-dominant areas
- Beneficiaries
- Small & marginal farmersWasteland owners and rural communities
- Scale
- 2,00,000 seedlingsCultivation promoted across 500 hectares of wasteland and marginal land
- Partners
- Agriculture & Horticulture DepartmentsImplemented in close coordination with government departments
- Part of
- Plantation & afforestation portfolioFocus on biofuel cultivation & wasteland reclamation
Outcomes
What the project changed
Farmer engagement
Successfully distributed 2,00,000 seedlings, demonstrating strong farmer interest in alternative crops and connecting grassroots farming communities with national biofuel policy objectives.
Lessons for the future
Provided valuable insights into promoting alternative crops and engaging farmers in new agricultural practices — informing Coodu Trust's subsequent sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Get involved
Support plantation & livelihood crops
Join us in turning wasteland into working land — plantation programmes that create sustainable income for farming households while restoring green cover across Tamil Nadu.