Priest, known as 'diesel priest,' popularizes biogas in India

Published: 2006-07-03

PANAJI, India (CNS) -- In Goa state, Father Inacio Almeida is better known as the "diesel priest" for popularizing the idea of making biogas from a hardy, easy-to-grow plant. Father Almeida, of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, which was founded in Goa, has attracted the interest of people ranging from vehicle owners to the state's chief minister, who see the potential for lower fuel costs, economic returns and long-term sustainability in the face of growing competition for the world's diminishing oil reserves. Hundreds of people in this former Portuguese enclave on India's western coast are now growing jatropa, a wild plant the Portuguese introduced in the 16th century for fencing because cattle do not like its smell. The plant can survive on little water. Father Almeida addressed 200 government officials mid-June at the state secretariat on the invitation of Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane, who earlier had visited the priest's jatropa farm, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand.

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