Opinion
Biofuel in Bangladesh

An editorial in a local paper of March 31 should create the needed awareness on biofuels; which I believe is needed in Bangladesh. The editorial was based on opinions published by various people who have studied the subject; relevant to their particular environment. It need not correspond to Bangladesh's particular position on the matter. I have been closely following the developments over the internet for the past few years. My observations on that editorial are given below.

Calling the production technology "Knowledge intensive" was overstating the facts. To me; an engineer by profession (retired now); the technology, based upon catalyst reforming followed by fractional distillation is a known basis for producing various chemicals. It is practiced in many processes since the last quarter of a century. A technical institute in South India has done considerable pilot plant studies, and patented an established local based process. Success of the process is established by the fact that a number of biofuel refineries have been set up in India.

The very positive side of the editorial; which needs emphasis, was the statement "This does not mean we should stop developing biofuels as much biofuel (meaning plants that can give biofuels) can be grown on lands too marginal to support food crops." Sugarcane and Cassava plants, the two biofuel raw materials, need to be developed in Bangladesh. Sugar mills are asking for subsidy, as they are not cost effective against import prices. Why not switch over a sugar mill in Northern Bangladesh and set up a biofuel plant there to give better value addition to sugarcane. It will also give ready market to sugarcane growers who are today unpaid; as sugar mills have no cash, and finished sugar stocks are piling up and deteriorating! Also Cassava can be grown in adjacent fallow lands; it will be a biofuel input as well as acceptable cattle fodder- a dual use!

Our government should mobilize and encourage entrepreneurs and provide all media and agriculture department support for this vital addition to our liquid fuel needs which is increasing day by day. The end product has an established market; and cash flow will not be a problem. Already we subsidies in foreign exchange the retail price of liquid fuel; so if needed an initial subsidy can be rationally considered for developing this strategic fuel based essential local industry. The technology and expertise is available next door in India.

Along with biofuel, the government should seriously import hybrid automobiles, even by reducing or eliminating duty. The subsidy in favor of the hybrid car will be more than offset by the reduced imported requirement of petrol over a normal ten-year life of a new car. I believe there is cost benefit advantage for this policy decision; considering that a hybrid car will need at most fifty percent of the petrol consumed by a traditional car over its life cycle. Why not on an experimental basis import say ten cars, and carry out an economic cost benefit projection after driving it regularly in Dhaka say for five years. It will not cost the earth, and can be considered as a research project; but it may provide invaluable insight to our liquid fuel requirements that can be reduced. I sincerely and seriously believe this important project needs to be taken up in national interest; and the time to do it is TODAY!

S.A. Mansoor
Gulshan, Dhaka.