Biofuels end game for Japanese sorghum project

Abandoned fields in Japan are being considered as a location for sweet sorghum crop plantations by a university interested in making biofuels.

A team from Ibaraki University wants to generate ethanol for road transportation potential and cultivated, yet unused, farmland near its location could prove a suitable place to grow its feedstock.

‘After fermentation and purification, juices extracted from sweet sorghum will change into ethanol,’ project leader Yoji Nitta was quoted as saying. ‘If successful, this project could help spur the country on to further reduce its dependency on oil and help revitalise the farming industry.’

The farmland in question is reportedly located in the town of Ami, east of Tokyo.