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CHAPTER 3. |
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Supply Potential of Feedstock/Biofuels and Present Status of Utilization |
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Feedstock Production and Extension
The reliability of supply is a serious challenge to the sustainability of a biofuels program. The competing use of land as well as biomass feedstock, and the possible soil exhaustion in the case of large-scale monoculture cropping system are but a few of the threats to the stability of biofuels supply.
The Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Agriculture will identify and develop viable feedstock for biofuel production. DA, particularly, shall develop a national program for the production of crops for use as feedstock supply. Through the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Sugar Regulatory Authority, it shall also institute a program that would guarantee that a sufficient and reliable supply of feedstock is allocated for biofuel production. |
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3.1 Biodiesel Feedstock |
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Tables 3.1 and 3.2 show the program of fertilization and expansion that can increase the production of coconuts to levels that insure the supply of oil for anticipated internal demands for biodiesel. Presently, there is approximately 3.258 million hectares of coconut plantations and about 331.465 million coconut bearing tress. The production of the nuts in existing plantations is enough to support all requirements, including those for biofuels, until 2012. However, in order not to disrupt the existing supply of coconut, PCA should have to increase coconut production. Intervention thru fertilization and expansion can easily accommodate any increase in demand. An additional land area of 525,000 hectares is available for expansion. The beneficiaries of this program are the 807,000 coconut farmers and/or farm workers strengthened by 12,500 coconut farmers’ organizations nationwide. |
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COCONUT OIL |
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Table 3.1. FERTILIZATION PROGRAM 2007-2012 OF COCONUT FOR CME |
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PRODUCTION. Incremental Coconut Production. Source: PCA |
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| Year |
Area
(ha) |
Prod'n Increment
(Copra, kg) |
Est. CME Prod'n
(li) |
| 2008 |
282,000 |
43,240,000 |
27,241,200 |
| 2009 |
282,000 |
144,133,333 |
90,804,000 |
| 1010 |
282,000 |
288,266,667 |
181,608,000 |
| 2011 |
282,000 |
288,266,667 |
181,608,000 |
| 2012 |
282,000 |
144,133,333 |
90,804,000 |
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Assumptions:
1. Estimated oil production 1 kg Copra = 0.63 kg Oil, and 1kg of Oil = 1liter of CME
2. Increment in nut yield due to fertilization as follows:
Year 1 = 15%Year 2 = 50%
Year 3 = 100%
*Year 4 = 100%
*Year 5 = 50%
*Stop the application of fertilizer (Incremental Prod'n due to residual effect) |
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Table 3.2. NEW AREA OF COCONUT PLANTATION FOR COCONUT OIL |
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PRODUCTION. Source: PCA |
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| Year |
For 350,000 ha |
For 175,000 ha. |
Total Production |
| Nut (pcs.) |
CME (Li) |
Nut (pcs.) |
CME (Li) |
Nut (pcs.) |
CME (Li) |
| 2007 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 2008 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 2009 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| 2011 |
700,000,000 |
98,000,000 |
0 |
0 |
700,000,000 |
98,000,000 |
| 2012 |
1,050,000,000 |
147,000,000 |
350,000,000 |
49,000,000 |
1,400,000,000 |
196,000,000 |
| 2013 |
1,750,000,000 |
245,000,000 |
525,000,000 |
73,500,000 |
2,275,000,000 |
318,500,000 |
| 2014 |
2,100,000,000 |
294,000,000 |
875,000,000 |
122,500,000 |
2,975,000,000 |
416,500,000 |
| 2015 |
2,800,000,000 |
392,000,000 |
1,050,000,000 |
147,000,000 |
3,850,000,000 |
539,000,0 |
| 2016 |
3,150,000,000 |
441,000,000 |
1,400,000,000 |
196,000,000 |
4,550,000,000 |
637,000,000 |
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Assumptions
1. Average production of 40 nuts/tree/year
2.Estimated conversion factor of 1 kg Copra = 4.5 nuts
3. Estimated oil production 1 kg Copra = 0.63 kg Oil; 1kg Oil = 1liter of CME
4. Number Nut Production as follows:
Year 1-4 = 0 (No production on this year)
Year 5 = 20Year 6 = 30
Year 7 = 50Year 8 = 60
Year 9 = 80Year 10 = 90 |
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Key Production Areas of Coconut |
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The key production areas of coconut were classified based on the ideal growing condition: |
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- Highly suitable – area has highly adequate rainfall, well distributed yearly, with maximum of 1.5 dry months (expected yield of more than 2.5 ton copra/ha/yr).
- Intermediate/Suitable - area has adequate rainfall, well distributed yearly with maximum of 3 to 4.5 dry months (expected yield of 1.5 to 2.5 ton copra/ha/yr).
- Fairly suitable - area wherein rainfall is not well distributed, with maximum of 6 dry months (expected yield of less than 1.5 ton copra/ha/yr). `
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Table 3.3 TARGET AREAS COVERED UNDER EHABILITATION THROUGH FERTILIZATION. Source: PCA |
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| REGION/PROVINCE |
AREA (ha) |
| IV-A |
16,790 |
| IV-B |
4,290 |
| V |
57,346 |
| VI |
5,718 |
| VII |
26,625 |
| VIII |
33,741 |
| IX |
19,435 |
| X |
16,006 |
| XI |
16,933 |
| XII |
33,339 |
| CARAGA |
12,580 |
| ARMM |
39,198 |
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It is imperative that the country, through the coconut farmers, should increase coconut production, for it to be considered a reliable local and global supplier. The only practical and achievable way to immediately increase farms’ yields is to extensively correct soil nutrient deficiencies through judicious application of fertilizer and management of integrated soil fertility (combination of mineral or inorganic fertilizers and organic or natural fertilizers on the long term).
The main immediate purpose is to increase coconut yield or farm productivity within the next 3 years of regular annual application of proper fertilizers. Hence, all growth and yield-limiting nutrients must be provided at adequate amounts. It is necessary that the soil has adequate drainage for optimum nutrient absorption of healthy roots. Organic fertilizers (supplying some amounts of nutrients) is considered more of a soil conditioner in soils with low organic matter. Addition of animal manures such as chicken manure should be highly beneficial in coconut areas suffering from micronutrient deficiencies. Thus, farmers are encouraged to apply this to optimize yields of coconut and intercrops, resulting in maximum economic farm productivity and incomes of farmers.
Priority Coconut Areas - The wet (highly suitable) and intermediate (above average suitable) areas in the 51 major coconut-producing provinces shall be given top priority when identifying the rehabilitation areas (rehabfarms). The wet and intermediate zones shall be used as a guide in the preliminary and final identification and mapping of the specific areas for REHAB in the different priority regions and provinces (51). Basically, the main reason for this condition or requirement is that the optimization of the benefits from fertilizer application could be achieved only in areas considered suitable to highly suitable for coconut growing based on rainfall intensity and distribution year-round. |
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The vast coconut plantation of Quezon. Photos by PCA
Coconut is grown extensively in the tropics (between latitudes 20oN and 20oS, with commercial production concentrated mainly in the Asian and Pacific region). The Philippines, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea account for about 80% of the world coconut production (INFORM, Vol. 3(10), October 1992). The APCC (Asian and Pacific Coconut Community) estimated that 10.7 million (M) ha was planted to coconuts in 1990 with 5 M ha coconut farms of which 98% was less than 2 ha in farm size.
In the Philippines, about 900,000 of nearly 1.6 M holdings (3.11 M ha) are less than 3 ha in farm size. Coconut is a perennial crop with nuts harvested and marketable either as tender nuts (7–8 month-old) or mature nuts (11.5–12 months old). Average annual yield of 80–150 nuts per tree or 2-4 t/ha of copra (dried meat) is attainable under favorable environmental conditions and depending on the plant genetic material. Also, under said conditions, flowering starts 4–5 years from field-planting for tall varieties, 3–4 years for dwarf x tall hybrids, and 2.5–3 years for dwarf varieties. Table 5.5 show the target expansion of coconut planting and replanting distributed to coconut growing zone to produce coconut oil for cocobiodiesel feedstock production.
There are other popular feedstocks for the production of biodiesel. Studies similar to those conducted on coconut oil have been undertaken to provide adequate information to support the establishment of critical industry standards.M
The Philippine government thru the Philippine Forest Corporation and the Philippine National Oil Company-Alternative Fuels Corporation Among explores the use of jatropha curcas or "Tuba tuba". This is a non-edible plant that grows mostly in tropical countries like the Philippines. Extensive research and development is being undertaken to determine the viability of large quantity of consumption from local plantation and as input to biodiesel production. |
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3.2 BIOETHANOL FEEDSTOCK |
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Bioethanol can be produced from a variety of agricultural products rich in starch and sugar. The Philippines has a huge potential in producing various kinds of suitable crops as feedstock for bioethanol production. These include sugarcane, grains, sweet sorghum, sweet potatoes and cassava. Among these crops, however, only sugarcane can produce ethanol for motor fuel locally at a fairly sustained level. The bagasse from sugarcane (solid waste left after extracting the juice) can be used as renewable source of fuel for the distillery’s boilers, thus, minimizing the use of bunker fuel. The utilization of bagasse in generating power for the distilleries makes sugarcane more advantageous as compared to other feedstocks. Table 2.4 shows the profile of existing sugarcane farms in the Philippines.
Under the program, other potential feedstocks shall also be developed by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Sugar Regulatory Authority (SRA) in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Table 3.5 shows the yield comparison of potential bioethanol feedstocks in the country. |
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Table 3.4 PROFILE OF EXISTING SUGARCANE FARMS, 2005-2006
Source: Philippine SRA |
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| Province |
Area (Hectares) |
No. of
Farmers |
| Philippines |
388,003 |
58,996 |
| Luzon |
66,189 |
13,163 |
| Negros |
193,002 |
22,994 |
| Panay |
25,083 |
3,623 |
| Eastern Visayas |
16,914 |
1,438 |
| Mindanao |
81,335 |
17,778 |
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Table 3.5 YIELD COMPARISON OF POTENTIAL BIOETHANOL FEEDSTOCKS.
Source: Philippine SRA |
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| Feedstock |
Yield per Hectare, tons |
Liters Ethanol per ton |
Liters Ethanol Yield per hectare/yr |
| Corn |
2.39 |
370 |
1,768* |
| Cassava |
7.75 |
180 |
1,395 |
| Sweet Sorghum |
50** |
60 |
6,000* |
| Sugarcane |
65 |
70 |
4,550 |
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*Two (2) crops per year
** Experimental values at this point |
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Technically, bioethanol production from cassava is equally viable but the cost of manufacture is higher compared with sugarcane since the initial component of cassava is starch. Starch has to be broken down into simple sugars before it could be converted into bioethanol. A major drawback of cassava is that it produces no residual energy source for distillation. Compared to sugarcane, cassava-based ethanol plants are economically less attractive because of the need to purchase an outside source of energy, and the slightly higher capital cost.
To satisfy the mandated requirement for bioethanol in the Biofuels Act and to help the farmers develop their lands in the countryside, programs shall be funded and implemented by the government especially in the development of expansion areas and idle lands that have potential as agribusiness lands for biofuels feedstock. Priority programs and interventions for the development and production of these feedstocks include identifying idle and suitable lands, and providing planting materials, crop protection, and infrastructure support such as the construction of farm-to-market roads and irrigation facilities.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) together with SRA will identify lands suitable for bioethanol feedstocks. Mapping of idle lands for agribusiness ventures are an indispensable guide for investors who wish to put up a bioethanol distillery. Site suitability of the distillery as well as the feedstock plantation should be established and validated to ensure the economic viability of investment and continuous supply of feedstock. The maximum radius of the feedstock plantation to the distillery is one of the major considerations. Other factors to consider for the distillery site are water source, bodies of water for waste disposal, and proximity to major ports and roads and to the plantation site. A thorough survey of the plantation site shall be conducted to determine its feedstock suitability through soils analysis, including its topography.
In general, potential areas that shall be developed for feedstock production are the following: |
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a. Green Areas - new lands (idle, pasture lands or lands planted to other crops) that are suitable for planting sugarcane and other feedstocks to be developed for ethanol production
b. Existing Areas - sourcing feedstock from lands presently devoted to sugar which will be converted to ethanol production; this presupposes sufficient distance from an existing sugar mill to justify the conversion |
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As shown in Tables 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8, potential plantation areas have been identified, and ethanol distilleries will be installed in various provinces. |
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Table 3.6 POTENTIAL AREAS FOR SUGARCANE CULTIVATION.
Source: Philippine SRA & Independent Firms |
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| REGION |
AREA (ha) |
| Lanao del Norte |
38,110 |
| South Cotabato |
15,000 |
| Saranggani |
17,000 |
| Agusan del Norte/Sur |
35,000 |
| Maguindanao |
60,000 |
| Central Palawan |
29,486 |
| Cagayan, Isabela |
26,000 |
| Sultan Kudarat/South Cotabato II |
70,000 |
| Bicol/Libanan/Sipocot |
6,000 |
| Negros Oriental |
24,116 |
| Negros Occidental |
8,000 |
| Southern Bukidnon |
10,000 |
| TOTAL |
348,712 |
| Note: Validation on available lands for expansion is needed |
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Table 3.7 POTENTIAL AREAS FOR SWEET SORGHUM CULTIVATION.
Source: Philippine DA-BAR & MMSU |
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| REGION |
AREA (ha) |
| Ilocos |
117,447 |
| Cagayan Valley |
47,517 |
| Central Luzon |
79,177 |
| Southern Tagalog |
133,736 |
| Western Visayas |
267,779 |
| Eastern Visayas |
125,214 |
| Western Mindanao |
43,265 |
| Northern Mindanao |
3,194 |
| Southern Mindanao |
26,667 |
| Central Mindanao |
54,508 |
| ARMM |
133,331 |
| CARAGA |
36,179 |
| TOTAL |
1,088,014 |
| Note: Validation on available lands for expansion is needed |
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Table 3.8 POTENTIAL AREAS FOR CASSAVA CULTIVATION.
Source: Philippine BSWM, DA Agribusiness Lands |
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| REGION |
AREA (ha) |
| Zamboanga del Norte |
41,093 |
| Pangasinan |
23,490 |
| Cagayan |
36,125 |
| Bela |
65,976 |
| Nueva Ecija |
10,677 |
| Aurora |
7,461 |
| Zambales |
1,500 |
| Bulacan |
3,088 |
| Palawan |
85,822 |
| Bukidnon |
65,314 |
| Lanao del Norte |
26,011 |
| Lanao del Sur |
116,158 |
| TOTAL |
482,716 |
| Note: Validation on available lands for expansion is needed |
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Expansion areas and idle lands that will be developed for the bioethanol program need planting materials. Feedstock nurseries shall be established to provide the farmers with high-yielding varieties of feedstocks. SRA shall establish nurseries for sugarcane high-yielding varieties and DA for other feedstocks such as cassava and sweet sorghum. A ten-hectare nursery can therefore produce 600 laksa in a year, enough to supply planting materials for a 120-hectare expansion area. Deficits in planting materials and be sourced from nearby provinces with sugarcane plantations.Crop protection is another major intervention that shall be supported by the government, especially to expansion areas with no capabilities to manage crop infestations. This intervention will be in the form of technical assistance and advisory services to farmers in the proper approach of controlling and preventing pests and diseases of bioethanol feedstocks.
Agricultural crops need water most especially during its germination and rapid growth period. If water is not enough during their growing stage, where starch or sugar formation ensues, growth will become stunted. This will result to low farm yields and less or no income at all for the farmers. Irrigation systems must be provided to small farms even in the form of shallow tube wells (STWs) to make the farms viable especially during prolonged dry season and drought.
Feedstock plantations should be provided with farm-to-distillery roads to facilitate the transport of their harvest to the distillery. Plantations are not passable if there are no small roads within or at the outskirts of the plantations. Plantation roads are temporary roads that are filled with gravel or other filling materials and rehabilitated every harvesting season. The funding for this program is in the form of heavy equipment such as trucks, grader, backhoe, and bulldozers, which shall be used for rehabilitating plantation roads during harvest season.
There will be cultivation, fertilization, and subsequent expansion of suitable lands for producing important feedstocks for bioethanol such as sugarcane, sweet sorghum and cassava that are not new in the Philippines. Both farmers and researchers have extensive experiences in their cultivation. It is necessary to successfully put in place the projects of identification, validation, clustering suitable lands; supervising the development of new lands; production of planting materials; crop protection; and mechanization. |
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