Global Bioenergy Industry News
PNOC Unit to Put Up Another Jatropha Plantation
PAFC said it signed recently an agreement with the Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Katilingban Sang Katawhan Sa Katayoyon Nga Kauswagan Sa Kabankalan Inc. (5Ks) to plant jatropha at the plantation.
“The partnership that we have forged separately with our grower-partners Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and 5Ks marks the beginning of our collaborative effort towards establishing a most viable and sustainable biofuel feedstock in the country. We all intend to pool and commit our resources together to attain our production target of jatropha to fasttrack the country’s biofuel initiative,” said Genaro Rafael K. Alvarez III, PNOC-AFC chairman.
The project involves an aggregate area of 500 hectares of jatropha plantation within the landholdings of Ilog Diversified Multi-Purpose Cooperative and another 500 hectares with 5Ks, according to ABS-CBN.
“The funds for the project will be released to PNOC-AFC’s grower-partners in accordance with the work and financial plan. The market for the jatropha seeds that will be produced from the plantation will not be a problem since PNOC-AFC will be the assured market,” said Alvarez.
In addition, PNOC-AFC will supply the jatropha seedlings and other farm inputs as well as pay for the labor during the planting process. The company will likewise provide technical assistance for the setting up of the plantation and help in its maintenance for 18 months.
Meantime, the grower-partner will manage the plantation together with PNOC-AFC.
It will also provide the necessary labor inputs for the plantation establishment and maintenance while complying with all the permitting requirements from appropriate government agencies.
“Being the leading proponent of jatropha production in the country, we are not only keen on providing a cost-competitive alternative feedstock for our biofuels industry, but we are also opening alternative venues for business enterprise as well as creating new job opportunities for our marginalized farmers in the countryside,” noted Alvarez.
In line with the government’s policy of reducing dependence on imported oil and utilizing indigenous renewable energy sources, PNOC-AFC was tasked with the mandate to explore, develop and accelerate the use of alternative energy to enhance the country’s energy security.
TheBioenergySite News Desk
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