Belize, just like every country in the world is looking to the future options regarding fuel supply and security within their own borders.
Bio-Fuel, in particular Bio-Diesel is fast becoming the most viable, sustainable option for this country to assist in meeting its ever increasing energy demands.Our emerging economy, our vast tracts of unproductive land areas, our sub tropical climate can benefit greatly from the renewable energy resources derived from JATROPHA CURCAS plantations.
We can utilize much of the sub standard lands available, which are very adaptable to the agro based communities. As JATROPHA is a perennial crop it will ensure a minimum regular sustenance income to those farming communities that are used to fluctuations in their traditional crop income revenues.
THE JATROPHA CURCAS TREE
JATROPHA CURCAS is tree that initially emanated from this Central American region, to many countries within the latitudes of the Tropic of Cancer & Tropic and the Tropic of Capricorn. These being the only areas that JATROPHA trees will flourish. Thus we are perfectly situated to take advantage with our geographical location.
The JATROPHA CURCAS tree produces seeds after the first year of planting that are sought after for the production of bio-diesel. In addition to the oil it can produce, it has other downstream revenue potentials such as soap and fertilizer production that we shall explain later in this presentation. The tree assists in alleviating soil degradation and deforestation. Upon maturity (5 years) you will also qualify for carbon credits, this being dependent on the number of trees on your plantations. The seeds of the JATROPHA tree grow as mentioned on low fertile soils in low and high rainfall areas, which fits the Belizean climatic regions perfectly. The seeds have a short gestation period and can be harvested in the non rainy season.
We control the height of the trees via pruning to 2m, in order to facilitate the hand picking harvest procedures required. We plant on a 2m x 2m grid system, giving us 1,000 trees per acre. The seeds have a high oil content (30-45%) after 2-5 years of growth, dependent on soil fertility and rainfall, along with other traditional crop enhancing treatments. The trees will continue to produce seeds for over 30 years. The oil that is extracted from the seeds is processed into bio-diesel fuel through the esterification method. As mentioned previously, in addition to Bio-Fuel from the oil, glcerine for soap production, the seed cake waste can be used as a organic fertilizer, or manufactured into biomass pellets for the home cooking stoves we offer.
Opportunites abound for both investors and local land owners alike in this perfect geographical. location for growing the JATROPHA CURCAS trees.
Consider these facts as presented by the United States of America Forests organization:
In a year, an acre of forest (approx. 250 trees) can consume the amount of carbon dioxide created by driving a vehicle 26,000 miles, about twice the annual mileage of the average US driver. Remember now, we plant 1,000 trees per acre, so the benefits we provide for society are tremendous!
A single tree can absorb 10lbs of air pollutants per year.
A single healthy mature tree produces roughly 260lbs of net oxygen annually. The average person consumes 386lbs of oxygen per year.
An acre of trees produces roughly 65,000lbs of oxygen, enough to supply 168 people with a yearly supply of oxygen.
Planting trees near a home can reduce wind exposure and reduces heating/cooling bills by 2-8%.
Jatropha Oil Extraction Plant
B-OIL BELIZE (EXTRACTION) LTD.
We have commissioned our own bio-diesel production facility, with the business plan of providing diesel fuel for consumption here in Belize, enabling our country to be a Bio-Fuel leader in the eco -friendly world of the Caribbean.
It is anticipated that we will achieve many converts to our fuel type, with the bonus being our valued tourists after being exposed to the numerous benefits to health & the environment, will return to their own country and promote this fuel type for their own country!
The price for bio-diesel will only increase due to the rising demand of the world market. Which will in turn contribute to the creation of even more sustainable business success for us and our shareholders for many years to come.
OBSERVATIONS
When we see the current price and consumption of fossil fuels shown in the two 'live' charts above, we all as residents of this earth that are able, have a duty to pursue the production and supply of renewable fuel sources.
We at B-Oil Belize believe in the importance of sustainable development and endeavor to promote self sufficiency for many Belizean land owners, and in turn they create employment for other agriculture workers.
