Why Not Jatropha?

Technorati Tags: Bangladesh,Jatropha,Biofuel,Continental Airlines

Since my last post, there have been many changes in Bangladesh. Congratulations are due to our Honorable Prime Minister on her landslide victory and her tremendous initiative to make changes not only in Bangladesh, but by establishing an entirely new administration since she last held office.

Lately, we see many headlines in our newspapers calling for development, talking about a bleak economic outlook and digital dreams. It seems in Bangladesh we are always looking for handouts. From ADB, World Bank, USAID, DFID and all the foreign donor agencies. The money is well used, don’t misunderstand me. However, we also spend a great sum on importing fuel among other resources that we could develop within Bangladesh.

With the world researching renewable fuel resources to slow and, eventually, a hope to revert the global warming process to save our planet, where are we? When people hear the term renewable energy, they think Windmills and solar panels for electricity. Electricity is important to us all. Yet, what about renewable fuels for cars, buses, trains and airplanes?

Recently, Continental Airlines conducted a flight test using bio fuel that came from Jatropha. It was hugely successful. With the fuel surcharge we are all paying now-a-days we should be paying attention to this, Of course, Continental is not the first airline to do this. Virgin Atlantic conducted a similar test 2 years ago. Mercedes Benz in India also conducted a similar test in 2007. So, why not Jatropha in Bangladesh? 

Jatropha is a plant source for bio fuel that can be used directly as diesel and further refined to be used as octane. It is ecologically friendly, not a threat to food security and most importantly a renewable resource for fuel. In fact, if Bangladesh were to dedicate only 5 hectares of wasteland, coastal land, train and highway bi-ways, we could put an end to fuel imports and save the country millions. The Jatropha tree, once planted, begins to produce a non-edible fruit that contain oil laden seeds. It continues to produce this fruit for approximately 50 years without replanting. Additionally, Jatropha tree and fruit, has multiple intrinsic values that could be developed to make money and help develop our rural areas. Employment and female empowerment are only two areas that could be targeted.

So, again I ask, why not Jatropha?

Bangladeshi Heart