Much Ado Over Jatropha Curcas!

In the other blogsite (Padayon Pikiteno) that we have, where I am one of the co-authors, I posted a topic re-emphasizing the great many uses of the moringa plant (malungay or kalamungay to others). From an ordinary add-on vegetable, that we had been so used to about it, (and I say add-on because it cannot stand alone from our traditional use of the plant, so, it's only good for all kinds of 'tinolas'), to an all-purpose herbal plant, to something more sophisticated like cosmetics, we tried to bring the plant back to life, so-to-speak. Yes, it might be so, because we had already long taken for granted the many uses of the moringa plant and I was a little bit afraid that this favorite 'utan' of the Cebuanos might be relegated back to oblivion if not a candidate for extinction. Thanks to the Cebuanos dire love for the plant, it can never be an endangered specie.

But wonder of all wonders! I thought that I should have elicited an exciting and long discussion about the 'malungay' plant, especially so that I would be discussing the matter with great people most of them are Cebuanos, or if not, some speak and act like Cebuanos for having had so intimate acquaintances with the Cebuanos of Pikit. I was one of them (a non-Cebuano) who acts and speaks almost like one real Cebuano all for love of the tribe. Anyway, what exactly happened was, instead of the 'malungay', what was discussed quite lengthily was the jatropha carcus! And mind you, not for what exciting details one can be so curious to know about jatropha carcus (tuba-tuba) but for the debate on whether or not there was such a processing plant that processes 'tuba-tuba' into bio-diesel fuel. Whoaaah..!

The usual thing that happens in that blogsite is, once a new topic has been posted, the discussions shift fast to the new topic and the old topic was left behind. Not in this case. Two topics were posted past the 'malungay' hulabaloo, yet, the tuba-tuba thing is still very much alive. I am amused at how the comments keep pouring in despite the two topics that superseded it.

I thought that when I promised to research on jatropha (excuse me not jetropha, a typho error!), things will start to cool off. But the heat refuses to cool off. Especially, that some anonies keep throwing fuel into the fire instead of dowsing it off with cold water.

Anyway, I promised to enhance my knowledge about the jatropha thing, and I said, I'm gonna post it on the same site but I decided not to for fear that I might be adding fuel to the fire. And so let's take a look at the jatropha and educate ourselves about it.

What is Jatropha curcas?

IT is an oil bearing plant indigenous to the Philippines.
An alternative source of fuel for lighting and cooking.
An alternative source of fuel for low RPM diesel combustion engines. A potential source of Bio-diesel for trucks and cars.

In the Philippines, Jatropha is known as
“Tubang-bakod” in Tagalog;
“Tawa-tawa” in Ilonggo;
“Kasla” or “Tuba-tuba” in Visayan; and
“Kabalitiayay” in Maguindanaon

Jatropha can grow almost anywhere in the Philippines. Jatropha curcas is a drought resistant perennial shrub or small tree that grows well even in marginal or poor soil. It is easy to establish, grows relatively quickly and lives for 40-50 years. Its productive life is from 30 to 40 years. 2,200 trees can be planted per hectare.

In India, Jatropha starts bearing fruits in two years after planting but initial planting in Samal Island in Davao started yielding fruits in only 6 months after planting the cuttings. The hardy jatropha is resistant to drought and pests, and produces seeds containing up to 40% oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in a standard diesel engine, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to power electricity plants.[2]
Goldman Sachs recently cited Jatropha curcas as one of the best candidates for future biodiesel production.[3] However, despite its abundance and use as an oil and reclamation plant, none of the Jatropha species have been properly domesticated and, as a result, its productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use on soil quality and the environment is unknown. [1]

What are the possible business opportunities with Jatropha curcas?

Produce seedlings
Produce cuttings
Produce ready-to-plant seedlings
Establish a plantation
Produce Oil
Crude oil
Ready-to-use Jatropha Biodiesel

Other uses of jatropha curcas:

31 to 37 % of oil is extracted from a Jatropha seed. Jatropha Curcas seed can be used as Bio diesel for any diesel engine without modification; Selling treated Jatropha seeds, and quality sapling;

Dark blue dye and wax can be produced from the bark of the Jatropha curcas plants; Jatropha plant Stem is used as a poor quality wood; Jatropha curcas leaves helps in dressing the wound; Jatropha roots help in making yellow dye; Juice of the flowers of Jatropha curcas and the Jatropha stem has very good medicinal properties; Pounded seeds are used in tanning; Press Cake : Jatropha becomes Organic fertilizer and soil improver; Jatropha curcas extracted oil are used as Bio-Diesel, Varnishes, Illuminants, Soap, Pest control and Medicinal for skin diseases, as purgative.

Email info@jatrophacurcas-biodiesel.com for more info..