Bhubaneswar: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Orissa University of
Agriculture & Technology on Sunday for setting up of bio-fuel chair in
the university.
The MoU was signed in presence of Union Petroleum and Natural Gas
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for production of rice straw based
bio-fuel in Odisha.
“The bio-fuel chair will conduct research for screening of best
agricultural crops and develop new agricultural varieties which can
yield more cellulose content.”
Highlighting that the OUAT will support BPCL in strengthening
technical support to ensure smooth functioning of 2G Ethanol
Bio-Refinery at Bargarh district of the state, the minister proposed
the university to establish an Agri- Business Incubation Centre in the
campus to promote students, farmers and young entrepreneurs in Odisha.
BPCL will provide a financial support of Rs 5 crore to OUAT for
effective utilisation of paddy straw for bio-fuel production in a
biochemical enzymatic process. Of the total budget allocation, an
amount of Rs 2 crore will be utilised as a corpus fund for BPCL chair
and Rs 3 crore as research contingency for development, establishment
and popularization of the bio-fuel production technology, official
sources said.
Among others, Director, Refineries at BPCL R Ramachandran, OUAT Vice
Chancellor Surendranath Pashupalak and other officials were present on
the occasion.
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