News

Central Visayas is source of cassava for bioethanol
by Marlowe U. Aquino, PhD

Getting into the mainstream of agricultural development on food security and biofuel production to address the pressing and increased oil price in the world market is one of the ultimate objectives of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Although there are a lot of debates on these concerns, the Philippine government, through the DA's Ginintuang Masaganang Ani (DA-GMA) Corn Program, developed the National Cassava Program for Alternative Use.

Highlighting the industrial importance of cassava as alternative sources, for biofuel and bio-ethanol, the Central Visayas was eyed by the DA-GMA Corn Program as the source of planting materials to be distributed to other regions.

Using the KU50 or NSIC CV22 variety, the crop was propagated in the research and production site of DA-Central Visayas Integrated Agricultural Research Center (DA-CENVIARC) in Ubay, Bohol. The target planting material production is good for 23 hectares with 3-4 meters with at least 4 to 6 nodes per meter stalk.

Cassava, regarded mainly as food in marginal areas, is now given a new usage to increase the production and profit of marginal farms. The program is piloted in Regions 2, 10, 7, and 12. In Central Visayas, the DA-CENVIARC is the lead region to provide the needed planting materials for the proposed 23 hectares in the Bicol Region.

Furthermore, cassava ethanol production will be expanded in regions IVa and IVb, 6, 5, and 8. These Regions will purchase and obtain their initial planting materials from DA-CENVIARC, giving the Center an added income to support other RDE activities.

In addition, DA-CENVIARC, together with Philippine Rootcrops Research and Training Center (PRCRTC) in the Visayas State University (VSU) based in Baybay, Leyte will provide technical and financial support to the commodity, particularly on its marketing activity with the San Miguel Corporation initially linked to PRCRTC.

With this initiative, DA and its partner agencies can actively participate in the government's goal in identifying and providing alternative commodities for food, feed/fodder, and fuel uses.