PNOC-Alternative Fuels Corp recently signed an MOU with Korea Technology Industry(KTI) for the development of a Jatropha plantation and biodiesel refinery which is estimated to cost about $210 M. PNOC-AFC will be tasked to scout for the 75,000 ha of land to be used for the plantation. Acquisition and development of the 75,000 ha is estimated to cost $150 M while the biodiesel refinery is expected to cost $60 M.

PNOC-AFC will have a 20% share in the venture with the added benefit of no liabilities and financial obligations to the project.
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The plant is estimated to cost P8.5 Million and will produce about 20,000 liters of biodiesel a month. It will also be supported by a 100 ha. jatropha plantation which will cost about Php 4 million. This was reported by Mr. Alejandro Teves Escaño, president of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food.
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Update: Looks like this Tie-up is not pushing through, check here.

The Philippines PNOC Alternative Fuels Corp and NRG Chemical Engineering announced that they have joined together to build some biofuel processing facilities as well as the corresponding farms that will supply the feedstock. NRG will have majority ownership of the to-be formed company with a 70% share.

According to the report, the warchest will be used to build both a biodiesel plant and ethanol plant. With Jatropha Curcas to act as feedstock for the biodiesel plant.
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More on the hot topic of China halting Ethanol expansion due to soaring grain prices.

The Agriculture Ministry has stated that:

1. They are giving priority for food over biofuels.
2. They are encouraging farmers to grow sorghum, cassava and other non-grain crops on marginal land to supply biofuel processors.
3. Top priority is protecting arable land and ensuring adequate food supplies.
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Note: This article was originally made on Sept 15, 2006

I went up to the model farm of Nestle in Tagum along the Agusan-Davao Highway in Mindanao (from Davao City drive up to Tagum then once you hit the NFA in Tagum it’s just a few more meters down the road)…. originally a coffee model farm, they decided to intercrop Jatropha Curcas with their coffee plants (which they sell at Php 5.00/cutting) The plant has now found useful life as a source of energy… before their uses were mostly medicinal, fencing, and for attracting fruit scarring beetles in commercial banana plantations (so that they won’t scratch the banana’s and lower their selling value.)
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I was watching a local farming show when the topic touched on Jatropha Curcas. It turns out that a lot of people have been heading to the DENR and asking about Jatropha Curcas, the problem was that the local government units were unprepared to answer the barrage questions. So the DENR has stepped up to train their personnel to answer the common folks questions. What was surprising was on the last part of the show the host mentioned that people can register to plant Jatropha in public idle lands.
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