Region 8 to accelerate production of biodiesel

PIA Press Release

06/19/2006

Region 8 to accelerate production of biodiesel

 

 

Tacloban City (June 19) -- Region 8 have been singled out to be one of the Regions in the country with the biggest potential of producing in big amount an alternative fuel, the biodiesel from jatropha which is better known as tuba tuba.

 

Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 8 Director Leo Caneda revealed that the State Universities and Colleges in Region 8 have been tapped to allocate at least 50 hectares for the production of jatropha as their contribution in the government's thrust of tapping alternative sources of energy in order to minimize the country's dependency on the important fossil oil.

 

Director Caneda said that the Leyte State University has already established a two-hectare jatropha plant nursery which will make jatropha seedlings available to would be jatropha farmers. He also revealed that the Leyte State University has already set up a refinery that produces oil from jatropha.

 

The refinery was set up by a German cooperator particularly for use of the bio-oil stove now being manufactured at LSU as an alternative to LPG. The stove uses used cooking oil and jatropha oil.

 

In Samar, the University of Eastern Philippines will be the lead school in the development of jatropha as alternative source of fuel, Director Caneda informed. In Southern Leyte, it will be in Sogod while in Biliran, it will be the Biliran National Agriculture College.

 

Director Caneda further said that the prospects of producing biodiesel from the jatropha plant is made clearer with the interest shown by a group of Taiwanese investors who are willing to put up a refinery as long as the availability of jatropha raw materials will be ensured through about 200hectares of land planted to jatropha..

 

Director Caneda said that jatropha needs only 8 months to one year before it starts flowering and producing fruits. The seeds from the jatropha fruit are extracted to produce jatropha oil which will then be turned into biodiesel. It was learned that three kilos of jatropha seeds are needed to produce one liter of biodiesel. From a single tree, Director Caneda said, it is possible to obtain about 80 kilos of seeds from one jatropha tree. This, he said will mean additional income for the farmer.

 

What is good about the jatropha is that the farmer may plant it in between the coconut trees, so he does not have to look for other land to plant the jatropha. DA 8 is committed to allocate 300 hectares of land planted with jatropha, Director Caneda quipped.

 

Farmers who are interested to go into jatropha farming may visit the DA Regional Office or the Provincial and Municipal Offices of Agriculture.