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LAND Bank of the Philippines has allotted P4.3
billion for the production and processing of jatropha in a vast area
in Quezon province.
Gilda E. Pico, Land Bank
president and chief executive officer, said the lender’s
assistance to jatropha production is consistent with its commitment
pursuant to the Biofuels Act of 2006 which mandates the use of
biofuels in the country.
“This is also in line with our
thrust to expand our support to projects dealing with agri-based,
renewable and other alternative sources of energy,” she said.
Pico signed a memorandum of
agreement with the local government of Quezon and the Philippine
National Oil Co.-Alternative Fuels Corp. (PNOC-AFC).
Under the agreement, Land Bank
will allot P4.3 billion for the 100,000-hectares of marginal land
identified by the Quezon provincial government for jatropha
production.
Pico said the amount will be
extended as credit assistance to qualified growers such as
cooperatives, small and medium entrepreneurs and farmers’
organizations.
The P4.3 billion is part of the
P10 billion earlier allotted to support bio-diesel projects
nationwide. The area of production can be further increased in
phases to more than 100,000 hectares depending on the suitability
and economic feasibility of the land identified, Land Bank said.
For its part, PNOC-AFC will
provide the market for jatropha seeds and crude oil. It will provide
technical assistance to nursery growers, including the certification
of jatropha seeds as to the right variety and acceptable oil
content. It will likewise extend assistance to jatropha plantation
growers through technology transfer.
Under the agreement, the Quezon
provincial government, through the Quezon Jatropha Development
Board, shall accredit seedlings suppliers and identify growers with
good track record for endorsement to Land Bank.
The local government unit shall
also enact ordinances that will promote production and processing of
jatropha, and provide support services and infrastructure like
farm-to-market roads to improve the delivery of goods and services.
 --Ira
Karen Apanay
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