Tuba-tuba eyed as new source of oil
JATROPHA is resistant to droughts, it can stand up to two years without rainfall, and produces seeds up to 30 years.
The tree also has a short gestation period, it will bear a several fruits starting at about six months old and be fully fruit bearing between one to two years.
Briefing materials indicated that initial investment for commercial plantation of Jatropha ranges from P32,119 to P52,770, with payback period in two or three years.
A report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that a grower could earn P200,000 a hectare a year from the sale and processing of Jatropha nuts.
Based on experiences of several Jatropha-growing countries, specifically in India, a plant density of 2,500 per hectare, with a spacing of 2 by 2 meters, has been found to be optimal.
However, a lower plant density of about 1,700 per hectare was found more desirable in a trial in rain-fed areas on poor soils.
In India, Jatropha grown in suitable plantations gives about 2 kilograms of seeds per tree; in relatively poor soils, it gives between 0.75 kilogram and one kilogram per tree. Seed production can be between 2.25 tons per hectare and 5 tons per hectare.
Assumptions in a study state that a hectare of Jatropha plantation with average soil can produce an average of 1.6 metric tons of oil. Plantation per hectare on poorer soils can give 0.9 metric ton of oil.
The D1 Oils Plc., a United Kingdom-based company, has been producing biodiesel from Jatropha oils to meet the demand of the European community for biodiesel.
Its refinery can produce up to 8 million liters of biodiesel per year, equivalent to about 22,000 liters daily.
The Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd) report states that D1 has already secured plantation agreements in
Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Philippines, totaling 37,000 hectares, and has the option to extend planting to approximately 990,000 more hectares in Burkina Faso and 5 million hectares in India.
Moreover, D1 has plans to provide modular refineries in India, the Philippines, and South Africa.
In the Philippines, planting of Jatropha is on high gear, more so in Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippine Coconut Authority is promoting its planting to coconut farmers.
In like manner, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the conversion of the Philippine National Oil Co.'s Petrochemical Corp. to Biofuel Corporation in order to promote Jatropha production. In fact, she ordered the immediate allocation of P500 million for the venture.
There are other benefits of planting Jatropha. Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap.
The leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs. The root extract of Jatropha plant can be used as yellow die while the bark extract as blue dye while the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning. The roots, flowers and latex of the plant are said to have medicinal properties.
Jatropha has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time but it was used mainly as fencing since it animals do not eat the leaves -- even the insatiable goat would not eat the leaves.
The seeds are poisonous. Dr. Carmina Leoncio, in a letter published in a national magazine, stated: "Jatropha is a common cause of poisoning among children, since kids are attracted by the appearance of the seeds, which look like nuts."
Dr. Leoncio cited a study done by Dr Irma Makalinao, which showed that Jatropha is one of the leading causes of poisoning referrals at UP-PGH Poison Control Unit and the National Poison Control and Information Service among children over the last decade.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(June 15, 2006 issue)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/06/15/bus/tuba.tuba.eyed.as.new.source.of.oil.html
The tree also has a short gestation period, it will bear a several fruits starting at about six months old and be fully fruit bearing between one to two years.
Briefing materials indicated that initial investment for commercial plantation of Jatropha ranges from P32,119 to P52,770, with payback period in two or three years.
A report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that a grower could earn P200,000 a hectare a year from the sale and processing of Jatropha nuts.
Based on experiences of several Jatropha-growing countries, specifically in India, a plant density of 2,500 per hectare, with a spacing of 2 by 2 meters, has been found to be optimal.
However, a lower plant density of about 1,700 per hectare was found more desirable in a trial in rain-fed areas on poor soils.
In India, Jatropha grown in suitable plantations gives about 2 kilograms of seeds per tree; in relatively poor soils, it gives between 0.75 kilogram and one kilogram per tree. Seed production can be between 2.25 tons per hectare and 5 tons per hectare.
Assumptions in a study state that a hectare of Jatropha plantation with average soil can produce an average of 1.6 metric tons of oil. Plantation per hectare on poorer soils can give 0.9 metric ton of oil.
The D1 Oils Plc., a United Kingdom-based company, has been producing biodiesel from Jatropha oils to meet the demand of the European community for biodiesel.
Its refinery can produce up to 8 million liters of biodiesel per year, equivalent to about 22,000 liters daily.
The Laguna-based Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (Pcarrd) report states that D1 has already secured plantation agreements in
Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Philippines, totaling 37,000 hectares, and has the option to extend planting to approximately 990,000 more hectares in Burkina Faso and 5 million hectares in India.
Moreover, D1 has plans to provide modular refineries in India, the Philippines, and South Africa.
In the Philippines, planting of Jatropha is on high gear, more so in Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippine Coconut Authority is promoting its planting to coconut farmers.
In like manner, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the conversion of the Philippine National Oil Co.'s Petrochemical Corp. to Biofuel Corporation in order to promote Jatropha production. In fact, she ordered the immediate allocation of P500 million for the venture.
There are other benefits of planting Jatropha. Aside from using the seed oil as biodiesel, the extracted oil can also be used in making soap.
The leaves can be used for fumigating houses to expel bugs. The root extract of Jatropha plant can be used as yellow die while the bark extract as blue dye while the seeds when pounded can be used for tanning. The roots, flowers and latex of the plant are said to have medicinal properties.
Jatropha has been planted in the Philippines for quite some time but it was used mainly as fencing since it animals do not eat the leaves -- even the insatiable goat would not eat the leaves.
The seeds are poisonous. Dr. Carmina Leoncio, in a letter published in a national magazine, stated: "Jatropha is a common cause of poisoning among children, since kids are attracted by the appearance of the seeds, which look like nuts."
Dr. Leoncio cited a study done by Dr Irma Makalinao, which showed that Jatropha is one of the leading causes of poisoning referrals at UP-PGH Poison Control Unit and the National Poison Control and Information Service among children over the last decade.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here.
(June 15, 2006 issue)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2006/06/15/bus/tuba.tuba.eyed.as.new.source.of.oil.html
posted by GeorgeM | 2:09 AM
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