While biofuel options derived from food crops like corn and canola are stirring up controversy, a new Maori venture may have found the key to growing a viable biofuel source in New Zealand. They plan to have their first batch of biofuel derived from the oil of the jatropha tree ready for market this year.
As world petrol prices rise yet again, a group of Maori land owners from the far north are collaborating on a venture which could offer a local solution to energy production. At least that’s what 710 Enterprises, a collective of organic growers based in Kaikohe, are banking on. The group have hatched an ambitious plan to manufacture their own bio-fuel oil from jatropha.
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Key quotes from article:
“The little known jatropha tree is steadily growing a reputation worldwide as a sustainable alternative to ethanol, which is derived from food sources such as corn and sugar cane. Coordinator of 710 Enterprises, Ranga Hohaia, is currently overseeing the collective’s first trial of jatropha on New Zealand soils. He explains the tree offers Maori communities an excellent opportunity to amalgamate Maori land. “What attracted us to growing the plant was that it utilises small Maori land blocks effectively. It also allows us to potentially generate our own power.”
“While biofuel production has been criticised for competing with agricultural interests for food production, Ranga says Jatropha offers an interesting solution. Not only does it grow on waste lands, but it can potentially turn those lands into areas later used for food production. One of the major benefits of the jatropha tree is that it actually fixes nitrogen into the soil, making the ground more fertile.”
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