Government to expand sugar plantations

The government plans to expand sugarcane plantations in the country to meet the growing demand for bioethanol, an official of the Department of Science and Technology said.

Citing data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration, National Academy of Science and Technology president Emil Javier, said a total of 326, 596 hectares of potential cane areas were identified for expansion under the program Philippine Agriculture 2020.

He said most of these areas are in Min­danao.

Ethanol is made primarily from sugarcane, corn, wheat, sorghum, and other feedstocks.

In the Philippines, sugarcane is the most readily available feedstock. Cassava and sweet sorghum are also potential feedstocks, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Javier said expected demand for bioethanol by 2015 is at 503 million liters.

He added 103, 000 hectares are needed for sugarcane alone.

DA defines bioethanol as “a high-octane, water-free alcohol produced from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch.”

Bioethanol is traditionally used as a blending ingredient at five to 10 percent concentrations in gasoline or as a raw material to produce high-octane fuel ether additives, the DA said.

Ethanol burns more cleanly because it contains oxygen, hence less carbon monoxide emissions, the agency added.