Feasibility study of village-level bioethanol production from the sap of nipa (Hypa fruticans, Wurmb) as energy source for rice farming in Vinzons, Camarines Norte [Philippines]

Nipa palm grows in areas along the river line and coastal areas of Vinzons, Camarines Norte. With the existing nipa alcohol industry in the town of Vinzons, there is much potential for the establishment of a village-level bioethanol production from nipa. Currently, the three barangays [villages] namely, Calangkawan Norte, Mangcayo, and Cagbalogo are actively producing tuba, lambanog, and shingles from nipa. Bioethanol production can either be processed from the feedstock of the nipa which is the sap, or from barik, the local vodka of the municipality. It is produced through distillation process of nipa sap. The purpose of the study is to determine the viability of a village-level bioethanol production from nipa in terms of its marketing, technical, organizational, and financial aspects. Data were gathered through survey questionnaires from 190 nipa producers, 68 rice farmers, and 20 traders in the three barangays. In 2012, the total production volume of bark from the three barangays are estimated at 460,000 liters. Based from the initial findings, only 30% of the bark is bioethanol produced through traditional practices. Thus, it can be improved through another distillation process with the facility to be fabricated by CEAT-UPLB [College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology-University of the Philippines Los Baños]. Bioethanol will also be used by the rice farmers for rice production. The study is subjected to three case scenarios: 1) buying barik from the nipa farmers; 2) buying the nipa sap from nipa farmers which would later be transformed to alcohol through other distillation means; and 3) establishing an integrated nipa production plantation and processing area solely intended for bioethanol production. The scenario that could suit a village-level bioethanol production facility in support of rice farming in the area shall be identified as the best alternative.