Firm, Morobe govt to set up jatropha farm

By PISAI GUMAR
LAE-based Morobe Agro Farm (MAF) – a local agriculture company – is collaborating with the Morobe provincial division of agriculture and livestock to set up a jatropha farm and a downstream processing facility at the district level.
Jatropha, commonly known as physic nut, contained 40% fuel grade that could be easily processed into bio-diesel and bio-kerosene for jet engines.
A native plant of South America, it was now gaining popularity in China, South East Asia, India and Africa because of its bio-fuel uses. 
MAF managing director Zizimu Gaga said the project idea was endorsed by the provincial government, which funded a week-long trip for a delegation to Jaipur, India, last month.
Among the delegation was East Sepik businessman and bio-fuel engineer Thompson Benguma who, upon returning from India, had started promoting the jatropha plant and planned to convert the East Sepik plains into a large jatropha plantation.
The Morobe provincial government sponsored team to India included provincial chairman for agriculture and livestock and Umi-Atzera council ward president Daki Mao, chairman lands and business property Benson Suwang, provincial programme adviser lands Jonah Suvi, provincial food and livestock coordinator Amos Buieba Gaga and project consultant Joe Sandanu.
Together with Benguma, they familiarised themselves with jatropha nursery, research, cultivation and downstream processing.
The Morobe team negotiated with the centre for Jatropha Promotion and Biodiesel Training in Jaipur for help in starting the industry in the province.
Gaga said Morobe had the capacity and capability to establish the project.
At a debriefing attended by deputy governor Morokoi Gaiwata and acting administrator Geoving Belong, Gaga said jatropha oil would substitute some of the fossil fuel imported apart from minimising global warming.
“A hectare of jatropha has the potential to produce 1,590kg and 1,892 litres of oil, which is sufficient to run a generator in a district and  provide light for a month or two,” Gaga said.
He noted that in parts of Europe, India and the US, jatropha bio-fuel was already in use.