According to a statement from the Palau Association of Organic Growers, this plant is called “Jatropha Curcus”. This is being used as a fuel source in some countries with a much larger fuel demand.
It added that the trees grow rapidly and survive from little water and poor soil. Many areas of savannah in Baubathaub can be used to grow this tree.
The trees are harvested and then crushed, becoming a biofuel- ready for diesel engine. The amount of fuel needed to supply PPUC can be provided by this plant.
Jatropha requires no refinement, just cleaned of impurities and burned. PPUC has looked at this and have their plan which only they can pursue. This plant can allow Palau to collect carbon credits due to replacing savannahs of grass with trees bearing leaves that remove carbon from the atmosphere. There are renewable resources. It is not necessary to remove existing forests to farm these trees. Numerous farmers can grow this plant on their existing farm and sell to users of diesel. Other crops can be grown between the trees.
The revenues derived by this can be a boost to the economy by local farmers having a high dollar product which keeps the money in Palau.
The Palau Chambers of Commerce’s Committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture and Farming is promoting this and other improved land use methods such as composting, growing black pepper, making better use of bananas by making vinegar, tapioca flour, coconut virgin oil and many others. This committee has spawned the Palau Association of Organic Growers to assist all in these fields needing help or technical assistance.
