Osaka Plants Canola in Idle Fields for Biodiesel Fuel Production

Osaka Prefecture has launched a pilot program to grow canola in idle fields and produce biodiesel fuel (BDF) from the seeds when harvested. Aiming for more effective use of idle farmland and promotion of the eco-friendly fuel, Osaka started preparing soil and sowing the seeds in September 2006, in partnership with local citizens and non-profit organizations.

Due to the aging of Japan's population and shortage of agricultural workers, farm area is decreasing and the share of idle farmland is increasing in Osaka. In fiscal 2005, agricultural land in Osaka amounted to about 14,500 hectares, of which 12 percent was unused. The proportion of idle to total agricultural land in Osaka has increased by 70 percent over the last decade.

Osaka plans to grow canola without agrichemicals on ten hectares of fields across 22 districts in the prefecture, expecting to produce BDF from the harvested seeds about June 2007. Osaka estimates that the harvest will produce about 300 liters of BDF per hectare for bus fuel and other uses in the prefecture.

http://www.pref.osaka.jp/en/index.html

Posted: 2006/11/23 03:01:49 PM
Japanese version