Jatropha seedling production at MMSU

By Dr. Sosimo Ma. Pablico

WHILE OTHER SCHOOLS are still conducting studies on the production of jatropha, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac, Ilocos Norte has gone one step farther û the university is now in a frenzy producing 2.0 million seedlings to be planted in Pagudpud this year.

Dr. Jose Agustin, who leads the seedling propagation project, said the seedlings are intended for a plantation establishment project of the Philippine National Oil Company – Alternative Fuels Corporation (PNOC – AFC) with the collaboration of the Burayok Multi-Purpose Cooperative in northern Ilocos Norte.

At the time of our visit to MMSU in mid-September, a little over two months after the start of the project, the university had already produced 700,000 seedlings of the green jatropha variety in a nursery along the highway. The green variety was chosen over other varieties apparently because it yields more oil.

Dr. Agustin, a forester who earlier developed the kawayan technology, said another nursery was being developed for the production of an additional 1.3 million hectares to come up with the requirement of the PNOC-AFC. Incidentally, the kawayan technology is now being promoted by no less than the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD).

The jatropha project is in support to the government’s Biofuels Act of 2006, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 9367, which espouses the reduction of dependence on imported fuels and the development of affordable alternatives. Jatropha plantation establishment for the production of fruits for oil extraction is seen as one of those affordable alternatives.

The PNOC-AFC has committed itself to serve as a catalyst in biofuels production using cheaper indigenous feedstocks, like jatropha, through extensive research and development, to ensure sustainable supply and reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil while contributing to the economic development in the countryside.

It is expected that the jatropha plantation establishment project will eventually yield considerable amount of oil. A news item posted by PCARRD in the internet mentioned that based on reliable estimates from a well-established jatropha plantation, each jatropha tree can produce an average 3.5 kilograms (kg) of seeds each year depending on irrigation levels.

The news item also said that if 2,200 jatropha trees are planted per hectare, each hectare could yield up to 7 tons of seeds annually. Jatropha seeds can produce oil yields of up to 40 percent and, hence, each hectare would deliver about 3,000 liters of biodiesel.

How large would be the area that could be covered by 2.0 million seedlings if 2,200 seedlings are planted to a hectare? That would be a little more than 900 hectares. If things will go well as expected, one can now estimate the amount of oil that would produced from this venture alone.

However, this volume of production would be just like a drop in the bucket if it is compared to India. Already, the government of India has taken major initiatives to encourage the establishment of jatropha plantations for the manufacture of biodiesel from jatropha oil. The government of India has targeted to bring 11 million hectares under jatropha cultivation by 2011 to manufacture 13 million tons of biodiesel.

The biodiesel will be blended with petro-diesel, starting with a 5 percent blend and will increase to 20 percent and beyond in a phased manner. It is estimated that India’s projected production of 13 million tons of biodiesel in 2011 will be worth US $9 billion. Thus, many Indian states and the Indian Railways are offering lands on lease to the private sector for jatropha plantation establishment.

For one thing, however, the move of PNOC and MMSU could be considered good since jatropha cultivation would not compete with the cultivation of vital food crops, as it could be planted in poor quality land.

(Readers may reach columnist at spablico@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/harvest-time/ For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

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