Biofuels to be developed on land in Mindanao.

This is from bizjournals. There is little detail on this. Mindanao is a huge island. There is no indication where on the island the project will be. Is there any jatropha curcas on the acreage already? The plant is not native to the Philippines although it no doubt can be grown there. However consider this from Wikipedia.
However, despite its abundance and use as an oil and reclamation plant, none of the Jatropha species have been properly domesticated and, as a result, its productivity is variable, and the long-term impact of its large-scale use on soil quality and the environment is unknown. [1]
Given the proclivity of Philippine politicians to sign contracts with payoffs for everybody but Philippine citizens this seemingly good development should be viewed with some caution.




Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 1:56 PM PDT
Abundant Biofuels to develop biodiesel on land in the Philippines
Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
Abundant Biofuels Corp. said Wednesday it reached a deal in the Philippines to develop more than 1.2 million acres for the production of biodiesel.

Monterey-based Abundant Biofuels did not disclose financial details of the deal with the Supreme Council of Datus Alimaong to use jatropha curcas in land on the island of Mindanao.

Abundant Biofuels Charles Fishel said jatropha "is the only biodiesel feedstock that does not divert agricultural land from food production. It has the added advantage of producing 20 times more energy than the energy required to produce it."

As part of the agreement, Abundant Biofuels will deploy part of its profits for infrastructure development on the island of Mindanao, including improved housing, medical care programs, better school facilities and "resources for people to affirm cultural identities such as music, dance, food, attire and drama."