STAFF REPORT LHR: The Renewable and Alternative Energy Association of Pakistan (REAP) has called upon the government to introduce legislation on the cultivation of bio-diesel in the country and ensure passage of the Bio-Fuel Act 2013 from the parliament.
“The legislation on the bio-fuel (Jatropha plant) would provide a congenial atmosphere for the foreign investments as well,” said Bio-Diesel Coordinator of the REAP, Rana Tauseef Iqbal while talking to media.
He said that Jatropha plant provides a cheap solution to the energy challenges faced by the country.
He mentioned that the Philipines government experience, he said that Philippians government grew jatropha nurseries on a 3500 acre area which were shifted to 1.8 million acre area in the second phase.
He said that Pakistan can save 16 billion dollars on the import of diesel annually by the cultivation of jatropha plant on 5 percent of the 80 million acres of uncultivated agriculture land in the country.
The bio-diesel expert said that cultivation of jatropha plant on one acre land could produce 2000-3000 litres bio-diesel besides value-added products like the Methane gas, glycerine and NPK fertilizer.
He urged the need of National Bio-Diesel Development Board in order to lure foreign investments, stressing that the government should include bio-diesel in the next five-year plan.