The Indian oil producing Pongamia tree is being marketed under the trademark ‘Vayusap.’ The plant promoted as a Wonder plant is being marketed by the Vayugrid Marketplace Services plc.

The strain being marketed in Ethiopia is a high yield, genetically selected form of the Pongamia plant resistant to a range of negative weather conditions and is tolerant to poor quality soil types according to Vayugrid.  

The oil from the plant has a range of potential uses in the production pharmaceuticals and bio fuels explained Douglas M. Petersen, Chief Executive Officer of Vayugrid Marketplace Services.

The Ethiopian government is interested in companies that are introducing new products to the company noted Wondim Teklu, State Minister for Water and Energy speaking at the event held at the Hilton hotel to introduce the plant.

The government is prepared to facilitate land for lease at significantly low rates or even free of charge in exchange for a stake in the produce from the project he noted.

Reports presented at the time indicated that 60 to 70 percent of the expenses of many nations across the globe are related to energy which means that there is great interest in utilizing all resources able to lessen expenditure for energy.

Source: Capital