Bohol sets up own Jatropha nursery

JATROPHA curcas, the wonder plant specie from the common tuba tuba finally finds a nursery here at the Central Visayas State College of Agriculture, Forestry and Technology (CVSCAFT).

The development also marks the dawn of a massive local production of the plant, which contains bio-diesel in its seeds. After a process, the plant is touted to help the country shape up its national bio-diesel program as alternative for fossil fuels. Gov. Erico Aumentado bared this in his weekly radio program, the Governor's Report.

According to him, he has met CVSCAFT president Elpedio Magante to negotiate and seek his assistance in looking for a suitable site of the said nursery. With the meeting, Bohol now eyes the 50-hectare lot in San Pascual Agricultural High School, San Pascual, Ubay, Bohol , earlier intended as a farm laboratory of the school.

A Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Education (DepEd) - Bohol Division and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been signed to this effect, but the development of the area is not yet finalized as to date.

The governor said that he will be negotiating with DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes and the DepEd that this area would be utilized in developing the tuba-tuba nursery. It may be recalled that jatropha or tuba-tuba is said to be a good alternative source of fuel.

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