Military authorities to rework Jatropha project in Chin State

24 February 2007 (Khonumthung News): With Jatropha projects failing over the last three years, the military authorities in Myanmar are adopting new methods to replace scientifically nursed Jatropha plants with ones that grow naturally in Chin state.

A move to replace scientifically nursed Jatropha with the home grown variety came into effect following a survey in Hakha, Falam, ThanTlang and Tidim Townships in the first week of January by the agriculture department. The survey supervised by the northwestern commander revealed that scientific bio-diesel plants were not suitable in the soil and climate condition in Chin state.

Locals in Than Tlang and Hakha townships had already slashed the trees on the hillside where home grown Jatropha seeds are to be sowed next monsoon. But there will be a charge for these seeds provided to civilians, said a source in Hakha town.

“We don’t know what kind of natural seed will be distributed by the government. We have to follow what they say as we are afraid of flouting the order,” a source in Hakha said.

Meanwhile, U Lai Too, Chairman of the Township Development and Peace Council (TDPC) in Than Tlang Township has started collecting money (Kyat 4,000 per household) from the people in Than Tlang area for substituting Jatropha plants. The same is likely to be followed in Falam and Hakha Township soon.

Some villagers from Than Tlang Township had already given money to village heads in their respective villages. The money collected has been sent to the TPDC office in Than Tlang town in the last week of this month.

The people are wondering when and where they will receive the seeds and the kind of seed it will be. Some are still doubting whether they will receive the seed they received previously, according to source in Than Tlang.

Jatropha trees are usually grown in tropical regions and it can be harvested after two years. Three kilograms of seeds can produce one kilogram of crude oil and 1.05 kilograms of crude oil can in turn produce one kilogram of diesel.

Recently, the authorities in Chin state issued instructions not to cultivate Jatropha in public places for it could harm humans and animals as well as it destroy soil fertilizer.