For years now the Myanmar authorities have been advocating the use of biofuel in the country to reduce the dependence on petrol, kerosene and diesel. Rising world crude prices and availability of biofuel are the main reasons.

The Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation has revealed expectations for a boost in biofuel next year (2008) from Jatropha Physic Nut Plantations to replace diesel. Nearly 8 million acres (3.24 million hectares) will be planted to achieve the target of up to 20 million-tons of biofuel annually according to the ministry run enterprise involved in industrial crops in the news on English People .

The enterprise has declared around 15.85 million acres (6.41 million hectares) of land in Myanmar to be suitable for cultivating Jetropha plants. Myanmar’s official production statistics is around 405 million-liters per 90 million gallons of petrodiesel annually with imports exceeding 900 million-liters per 200 million gallons annually for its domestic demand. About 22% of the imports are to now be substituted with local biofuel should the target be achieved.

Using physic nut-oil as fuel has been the intention of the country since the late 2005, promoting it to the people in Myanmar and encouraging extensive nut plantations. The authorities have also highlighted the nation’s need for such biodiesel in order to save millions of forex (foreign exchange) on fuel. Using biodiesel as a substitute to petrol, diesel, and kerosene will also eliminate the need for the rural population to find fuel woods and thereby preserve forests and protect trees.

Twice the number of CNG filling stations are expected in 2007 due to the escalating demand for the clean-burning fuel. Myanmar’s plan is a gradual modification of all vehicles in the country to run on CNG. The plan took shape owing to rising world crude oil prices as well as the wide availability of natural gas in the country.

As per a research analyst at RNCOS, biofuel production is booming in the world. Myanmar also needs to prioritize oil-substitute fuel usage and oil saving. Brazil is said to produce 3.2 million gallons of ethanol annually. Therefore, the time has come for Myanmar to produce biodiesel due to thriving oil crops in the country. Biofuel will benefit not just industries but agriculture as well. Additionally, the number of CNG cars needs to be increased with the state conversion of over 4200 petrol and diesel cars to CNG already completed.