A new study concludes that production of bio-fuels does not necessarily constitute a threat to food security

A NEW STUDY HAS CONCLUDED THAT PRODUCTION OF BIO-FUELS DOES NOT NECESSARILY CONSTITUTE A THREAT TO FOOD SECURITY,

THE JOINT REPORT BY THE FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA, IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON, AND CAMCO INTERNATIONAL SAID CROPS CAN BE PRODUCED FOR BIO-ENERGY ON A SIGNIFICANT SCALE IN WEST, EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA WITHOUT AFFECTING FOOD PRODUCTION OR NATURAL HABITATS.

THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE REPORT, "MAPPING FOOD AND BIO-ENERGY IN AFRICA," WERE DRAWN FROM A REVIEW OF EXISTING RESEARCH AND CASE STUDIES OF BIO-FUEL PRODUCTION AND POLICY IN ZAMBIA, SENEGAL, MALI, TANZANIA, KENYA, AND MOZAMBIQUE.

AMONG THE REPORT'S FINDINGS IS THAT THERE IS ENOUGH LAND TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE CULTIVATION OF CROPS SUCH AS SUGARCANE, SORGHUM, AND JATROPHA FOR BIO-FUELS WITHOUT DIMINISHING FOOD PRODUCTION.

THE CASE STUDIES FOUND THAT INTEREST IS GROWING ACROSS AFRICA IN BIO-ENERGY TO ADDRESS BOTH INCOME AND ENERGY NEEDS AND IN ADDITION, USING BIODIESEL TO POWER ELECTRICAL GENERATORS WOULD BE A BIG BOOST TO MANY AREAS IN AFRICA, GIVEN THE CHALLENGES FACING THE POWER GRID.
THE REPORT'S LEAD AUTHOR AND RESEARCH FELLOW AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE, LONDON ROCIO DIAZ-CHAVEZ, EXPLAINED THAT  IF APPROACHED WITH THE PROPER POLICIES AND PROCESSES AND WITH THE INCLUSION OF ALL THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, BIO-ENERGY IS NOT ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH FOOD PRODUCTION BUT CAN GREATLY BENEFIT AGRICULTURE IN AFRICA.
SHE ADDED THAT BIO-ENERGY PRODUCTION CAN BRING INVESTMENTS IN LAND; INFRASTRUCTURE AND HUMAN RESOURCES THAT COULD HELP UNLOCK AFRICA'S IDLE POTENTIAL AND POSITIVELY INCREASE FOOD PRODUCTION.ENDS////