Jatropha hurt by lack of promotion: Experts

The Jakarta Post ,  Bogor   |  Wed, 06/25/2008 10:32 AM  |  National

The use of the Jatropha curcas plant in biofuels remains limited because of widespread doubt among farmers and investors about its economic feasibility, experts said Tuesday.

Erliza Hambali, director of the Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center (SBRC) at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB) said the development of jatropha was still well below target levels.

"The National Biofuel Team is aiming for 1.5 million hectares of jatropha plantations by 2010. However, as of April this year, we have only achieved 8 percent of that number, or about 121,200 hectares," she said.

"Many farmers, businessmen and bankers doubt its feasibility as a biofuel. In addition, there is a limited supply of land for growing jatropha."

Erliza said lack of government support for the project was also to blame.

"A presidential decree was issued in 2006 promoting the development of biofuels," she said.

"The implementation of the decree, however, is still lacking. The government should actively encourage people to plant jatropha trees across the country."

Roy Hendroko, a biofuel expert at PT Sinarmas Energy Alternative, expressed similar sentiments.

"The government has failed to support the development of jatropha as biofuel. It also has yet to focus research on developing the best seeds for farmers," he said.

Erliza and Roy were speaking on the sidelines of the International Jatropha Conference: Researches for the Near Future Business, held jointly by the SBRC and PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk.

Some 170 representatives from countries including Australia, Austria, China, Japan, Korea and Singapore, are participating in the three-day conference.

The Indonesian government first began large-scale development of jatropha oil, known locally as jarak pagar, in 2005.

Experts say the the fuel is environmentally friendly and cheaper than fossil fuels, and could help offset the country's energy crisis. The plant can grow in extreme environments and requires minimal sunlight and water to grow.

Herry Suhardiyanto, IPB rector, said a comprehensive farming, research and distribution network was needed to properly develop the biofuel as a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

"Indonesia has much potential, such as available land and competent researchers," he said.

"Research centers in universities, government bodies and other institutions should cooperate and share the results of their studies so the development of jatropha fuel can be accelerated."

However, Tangkas Pandjaitan, the Agriculture Ministry's official in charge of land management, said the government would not subsidize jatropha farmers.

"We won't subsidize the farmers because productivity is still low," he said.

"Today, many people still don't believe in the benefits of jatropha, so we will focus more on promoting its benefits and encouraging its cultivation."

Syakir, head of the ministry's Indonesian Center for Estate Crops Research and Development (ICERD), said research on jatropha was being undertaken in parts of the country.

He said ICERD was growing the plant on 50 hectares of land in Sukabumi, West Java, 10 hectares in Muktiharjo, Central Java, and 10 hectares in Asambagus, East Java. (trw)

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