3rd Global Moringa Meet planned in India aim to provide interested parties with knowledge and information related to development of sustainable biodiesel industry. The Advanced Biofuel Center(ABC) is hosting the 2 days international Training Programme in Jaipur, India Nov. 21-22.

Global biofuels capacity will grow to 61 billion gallons per year (BGY) in 2018, up from 55.1 BGY in 2014. To date, food crops (corn, sugar, and vegetable oil) have been the primary source of biodiesels for transportation, but increased use of these fuels has created more problems than solutions: rising food prices and food price volatility, and accelerated expansion of agriculture in the tropics. Future biodiesel production should be sourced from crop feedstocks such as Moringa, pongamia and castor that can be grown on marginal land. This will ensure establishment of a sustainable biodiesel industry that will not compete for land and other resources with the rest of the agricultural sector that produces food and fibre.

ABC has quietly been investigating another potential feedstock, Moringa oleifera, because it could serve as food and an oil source for biodiesel. The oil from the Moringa tree is considered to be a more sustainable biodiesel feedstock by those who argue that sustainability is better served by feedstocks that can yield both food and fuel.
The many uses for Moringa products are intriguing, says dp maharshi, President Moringa India engaged in research and development for the Moringa biodiesel feedstock. Indeed, Moringa wasn't considered as an oil source because it has so many food uses, Everybody knows it in India as the drumstick tree that never considered as oilseed crop . On realizing the potentiality of Moringa as a nutritional security provider and the high value energy crop, much importance is attached globally and to gear up for research and development activities to reap its fullest potential scientists at ABC started working on Moringa in 2003. With years of continuing research, experiments and trials has provided an adage to find and develop 2nd generation biodiesel feedstock with low cost input technology. After having a number of successful field trials ABC has honor to establish Moringa oleifera - potential feedstock for Bio- Diesel industry of future because it could serve as food and an oil source for biodiesel. It recently announced progress on its work with Moringa Oleifera, a multidiemenson tree that bears high value oilseeds. According to the ABC, it has developed a highly productive variety of the plant and a set of best practices that will enable high oil yields.
A combination of low yielding Moringa varieties, the absence of effective crop management, and high plant mortality during the planting phase, contributes to sub-optimal yields. Moringa investors and crop research institutes are continuously studying modern high-yielding varieties developed by breeding programs, under ideal climatic conditions in Africa, Asia, and America etc. Experts at Advanced Biofuel Center (ABC) are pursuing the unique suitability of all parts of the plant for a wide range of practical purposes ranging from agricultural to medicinal to fuel. Scientists at ABC have been gearing up for research and development activities to reap its fullest potential since last decade.
The Moringa seeds contain about 35-40% oil. This oil is of excellent quality, similar to olive oil, and is slow to become rancid. It is used as a fuel for cooking purposes and burnt for light in developing countries. It is also used in perfumes, as a lubricant in watches and other fine machinery, and for making soap.
The press-cake remaining after oil extraction has been shown to retain the active ingredients for coagulation, making it a marketable commodity as a flocculent. It can be used as a quick and simple method for cleaning dirty river water in developing countries. In fact, Moringa oleifera has been compared to alum in its effectiveness at removing suspended solids from turbid water. It can also be used to harvest algae from waste water, currently an expensive process using centrifuges. The press-cake also contains high levels of protein and makes an excellent stockfeed or a good fertilizer for use in agriculture.
Life cycle analysis of biodiesel produced from Moringa showed that the greenhouse gases emissions were reduced by 90 per cent when compared to petroleum diesel. Given the widespread presence and ease of cultivation of the Moringa oil plant it could be cultivated in conjunction with subsistence agriculture programs as a potential oilseed feedstock for biodiesel.
The oil from the Moringa tree is a more sustainable biodiesel feedstock as it can yield both food and fuel. Among those searching for solutions to feed the hungry, Moringa is well known. Malnourished children flourish with the introduction of the nutritious Moringa leaf crop, which provides protein, vitamins and minerals in their diets. The greatest potential for this species is currently thought to be in its cultivation for the production of biodiesel. Yields of about 20 metric tonnes of pods per hectare per year are achievable for this species. This would equate to between 3000 and 4000 liters of biodiesel per hectare per annum. It is particularly desirable because it is a very low water-use crop and may be cultivated on marginal land commercially
Moringa does not cause land use change. Contrary to it Moringa is targeted for marginal lands which are unproductive. Most importantly it is food crop and same time it yields biodiesel- a perfect answer to the unscientific discussion
Biodiesel can make a large contribution to the worlds future energy requirements; this is a resource we cannot ignore. The challenge is to harness it on an environmentally and economically manner and without compromising food security.
ABCs knowledge arm BBA has identified the factors limiting the adoption and use of the Moringa Tree for Agricultural Development for Producing Biodiesel. ABCs experience, expertise, and views about Moringa and its use for agriculture development for the purposes of reducing hunger and poverty shall be highlighted in the 3rd Global Moringa Meet 2015. Aiming at promotion of the international exchange and cooperation in above mentioned fields 3rd 2 day Global Moringa Meet(GMM 15) on November 21 & 22 , 2015 shall provide new insight in the potentiality of this crop for future exploitation and formulate strategies for developing Moringa failsafe farms and also helps new growers to have holistic information on Moringa crop.
As seats are limited in 3rd Global Moringa meet, register now. One can contact Coordinator Programme on M +91 9829423333 or mail to sign up for the event early and secure your place without delay
Director (Training)
Biodiesel Business Academy
T +91 141 2335839
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