Pakistan Looks to Plants to Ease Fuel Crisis
Pakistan is yet another country that has been hit by the fuel crisis. It is somewhat ironic since they are located in the midst of the richest oilfields in the world.
Even with their proximity to oil, the country is looking to alternative fuel in the form of bio- diesel and bio fuels to help them in many areas. The results of starting a bio-diesel program would be a positive use of marginal land, work for more farmers, reduced pollution, an extra source of renewable energy, and a more eco friendly country.
The bio-diesel can be obtained from chemically converting non-edible oils from plants and turning it into balanced, organic fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen and have less negative effect on the soil. These plants can be planted and grown on marginal land that can be cultivated with saline and waste water.
In addition to all of these positive effects, one of the best effects would be the positive effect on the economy. Since over 60% of all of Pakistan’s land lies barren, the potential for growing these crops is tremendous. In other countries it might be too difficult and costly to undertake a change like this, but because of Pakistan’s land situation, the costs would not be as great in Pakistan.
There are about 100 million barren acres of land in Pakistan that are available to be planted and by using non-edible plants the costs will be low and price hikes for products yielded from the program should be negligible, or there could possibly be no price increases at all in the marketplace.
Pakistan State Oil has already begun planting non-edible plants on parts of the 100 million acres. The bio-diesel can be used for buses, wagons and trains, reducing harmful emissions that lead to serious pollution. Additionally, like every other oil-dependent country that imports much of their oil, by fully implementing the program, Pakistan will not have to depend on imported oil for as much of its fuel.
We should all look to Pakistan to see what the outcome is and how it could help the fuel situation in our own country.