Team firms up plan for biofuel research

A team of experts from various R&D institutions in the academe and the government met in PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna, recently to firm up a comprehensive R&D program on biofuels using jatropha (Jatropha curcas) and other species.

Spearheaded by PCARRD’s Forestry and Environment Research Division, the group tackled ongoing and proposed activities of different government and nongovernmental agencies on jatropha and other potential species for biofuel.

The team is keen on advocating for the development of biofuels as alternatives for petroleum-based fuels, which have had price increases over the years.

The program will include the following: 1) development of protocols for evaluating and identifying potential biofuel species, to be prepared by Dr. Diomedes Racelis of the Institute for Renewable and Natural Resources and Dr. Honorato Palis of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; and 2) energy accounting of selected agricultural, agroforestry- and forestry-based production systems, to be prepared by Dr. Nena Espiritu, Ms. Rose Paelmo, and Dr. Cynthia Manalo of the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

The group will also make an integrated R&D program for jatropha as biofuel, whose components will include seed collection and evaluation; its cultural management/silvicultural and integration in various agroforestry systems; and breeding.

The program will also look at the application of microbial fertilizers in jatropha; jatropha waste’s impact on soil/underground biodiversity; the economics of jatropha plantation development; jatropha plantation establishment in lahar areas; and utilization and chemistry of jatropha seeds.