CANDABA , Pampanga– A group of scientists from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) based in India has agreed to work with Pemdas Energy Corporation here- in partnership with Pampanga Agricultural College (PAC)- for the planting and mass production of sweet sorghum as an alternative source of fuel.
Dr. Belum Reddy and Dr. Srinavasi Rao of ICRISAT met with Pemdas executives led by Patrick Pelayo at the Mayors’ Action Center in this town the other day to finalize their project joint venture that will cover an initial 5,000 hectares in this town.
Reddy said ICRISAT is ready to provide expertise and technical assistance to PAC and Pemdas in its commitment to produce sorghum.
Pelayo noted a great demand for biofuels in the Philippines after the Biofuels Law was passed. The law promotes the use of alternative and renewable energy sources so as to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
Reddy said ethanol from sweet sorghum is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, especially petroleum products.
He said that ICRISAT is developing and promoting sweet sorghum as a major feedstock for bioethanol. “Sweet sorghum is a carbon-dioxide neutral crop, which is a big contributory factor of being called a smart crop.”
“The time has come to ensure that only smart biofuel crops like sweet sorghum are developed and utilized so that they can link the poor farmers of the drylands to the biofuel market, without compromising on their food security, or causing environmental damage,” he said.
Reddy noted that “every part of the plant is usable and can be a potential source of income for the farmers”, as he described the plant as “the most practical, economical and convenient in producing biofuel.”
The partnership of the groups in terms of technical assistance came as the Pemdas is now working for the planting of sweet sorghum initially in 5,000-hectare farmlands.
Pelayo said sweet sorghum is a stalk like cane crop. “It takes only three months to grow and thrives in idle inferior land or even in lahar areas,” he added.
He also noted that the government requires the mandatory blending of unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol to encourage the use of biofuels.
“Based on our research, the local demand to meet this mandatory blending is 300 million liters of imported ethanol yearly. With this, we are thinking that the day will come when Pemdas can supply some of the ethanol that the Philippine market needs, “ Pelayo said.
He said that “if Pemdas’ plan works, the long-term benefits include a high return on investment, the use of alternative energy and giving farmers the opportunity to earn and save more money.”
“Sweet sorghum has a strong pro-poor advantage since it has a triple product potential – grain, juice for ethanol, and bagasse (crushed stalk waste) for livestock feed and power generation,” Pelayo said.
He also noted that “sweet sorghum is attractive because it has a captive market of bio-ethanol fuel. It has positive net energy balance. It reduces pollution. It creates jobs. It provides support for energy and food security. This is aside from being an environment friendly.”
Dr. Belum Reddy and Dr. Srinavasi Rao of ICRISAT met with Pemdas executives led by Patrick Pelayo at the Mayors’ Action Center in this town the other day to finalize their project joint venture that will cover an initial 5,000 hectares in this town.
Reddy said ICRISAT is ready to provide expertise and technical assistance to PAC and Pemdas in its commitment to produce sorghum.
Pelayo noted a great demand for biofuels in the Philippines after the Biofuels Law was passed. The law promotes the use of alternative and renewable energy sources so as to reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuel.
Reddy said ethanol from sweet sorghum is a viable alternative to fossil fuels, especially petroleum products.
He said that ICRISAT is developing and promoting sweet sorghum as a major feedstock for bioethanol. “Sweet sorghum is a carbon-dioxide neutral crop, which is a big contributory factor of being called a smart crop.”
“The time has come to ensure that only smart biofuel crops like sweet sorghum are developed and utilized so that they can link the poor farmers of the drylands to the biofuel market, without compromising on their food security, or causing environmental damage,” he said.
Reddy noted that “every part of the plant is usable and can be a potential source of income for the farmers”, as he described the plant as “the most practical, economical and convenient in producing biofuel.”
The partnership of the groups in terms of technical assistance came as the Pemdas is now working for the planting of sweet sorghum initially in 5,000-hectare farmlands.
Pelayo said sweet sorghum is a stalk like cane crop. “It takes only three months to grow and thrives in idle inferior land or even in lahar areas,” he added.
He also noted that the government requires the mandatory blending of unleaded fuel with 10 percent ethanol to encourage the use of biofuels.
“Based on our research, the local demand to meet this mandatory blending is 300 million liters of imported ethanol yearly. With this, we are thinking that the day will come when Pemdas can supply some of the ethanol that the Philippine market needs, “ Pelayo said.
He said that “if Pemdas’ plan works, the long-term benefits include a high return on investment, the use of alternative energy and giving farmers the opportunity to earn and save more money.”
“Sweet sorghum has a strong pro-poor advantage since it has a triple product potential – grain, juice for ethanol, and bagasse (crushed stalk waste) for livestock feed and power generation,” Pelayo said.
He also noted that “sweet sorghum is attractive because it has a captive market of bio-ethanol fuel. It has positive net energy balance. It reduces pollution. It creates jobs. It provides support for energy and food security. This is aside from being an environment friendly.”
