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Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Agri dep't heads RP-Study mission to India on Jatropha cursas
By Eleanor Rivera
THE Department of Agriculture spearheaded the five-man team sent by the Republic of the Philippines to India for study mission on Jatropa cursas as possible source of bio-fuel.
The team was composed of RTD Larry P. Nacionales of DA-RFU 6 as Team Leader, Engineer Rodrigo S. Trio, Chief, Engineering division, DA-RFU 6; Antonio Bal Faustino from Philippine coconut authority (PCA); Matanog Mapandi and Andresito Ulgado from the Department of Energy (DOE); and Loreto Carasi from Philippine Council for Industry and energy Research and Development (PCIERD).
Administrator Oscar Garin of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), said that the initiative of sending the five-man RP Study mission on Jatropa cursas aims to acquire skills and knowledge on Indian experiences on Jatropha curcas with regards to seedling cultivation, planting technique and propagation, processing and utilization of the commodity.
He further added that Jatropha cursas is very much viable and can be grown any where in the country. Its potential source of bio-fuel is very much promising since each seed contains 30 to 40 percent of oil, which can be used as alternative fuel.
The team visited the different plantation sites, nurseries, and the processing plant of Lathrop's curcas at the state of Tamin Nadu in India. The state of Tamil Nadu in India, pioneered the cultivation of Jatropha curcas.
The government of Tamil Nadu is strongly promoting the program for its superior adaptability to its soil, climatic condition as well as the socio-economic status of the state. The state is currently undertaking the major venture in developing their wastelands. Contract farming is practiced in Tamil Nadu.
It is an institutional agreement between farmers and the agroprocessing units or traders to ensure a regular supply of products at a negotiated price.
Like the Philippines, India is an agricultural country. About 70 percent of the total population depends on agriculture for their employment and livelihood.
Recognizing the importance of oil and fuel and to save foreign exchange to reduce oil imports, the government of India is working aggressively for the development and utilization of biodiesel. Jatropha curcas has been identified by the Indian government as a potential source of producing biodiesel because of its superior advantages over the other oil-yielding crops.
The team was also able to observe on the different propagation techniques, establishment of nurseries, plantation density, seedling plantation and the maintenance of Jatropha curcas plantation, as well as the processing of biodiesel from Jatropha.
It is known that Jatropa cursas thrived in the Philippines. It is locality known as Casla. The group recommended that research should be intensified in order to further develop and enhance the propagation of this plant in order to produce quality planting materials. Likewise, a study should also be taken on the efficient extraction of oil from the seeds and kernels. And finally, farmers and stakeholders should be informed of the potential of Jatropha curcas by organizing forums, seminars, workshops, and through tri-media to be initiated by the government.
(June 21, 2006 issue)
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