In 2007, ODAM opened its Swaraj Biodiesel Production Centre as a research station for biofuel and renewable energy research. Experiments with biodiesel and biogas using tree-based oil seeds such as jatropha, pongomia, and neem trees are currently underway. The program’s initial focus on jatropha as the primary seed for biofuel production has shifted and new research is being done to test the viability and cost-effectiveness of alternative local tree-based oil plants. At present, the primary function of the biodiesel center is to produce crushed seed cake to support ongoing terra preta experiments.
Ongoing Projects:
Seed cake as compost distributed to local farmers and ODAM organic farm
Researching biogas potential from de-oiled seed cake
Researching formulas for glycerine soap made from biodiesel waste