The Indian biofuels sector is driven by ethanol and in case of biodiesel, the phase one consisting of pilot projects has been. Ethanol production of India is ranked 4th largest in the world. However, the production capacity of India is much more. The biodiesel production is in its initial phase and the commercial production is still to take off in a big way.
According to industry watchers, the densities of raw materials for biodiesel production in India are high but it is lacking in production and plantation of raw material (Jatropha) for biodiesel production.
States like Andhra Pradesh have offered 100 percent subsidy to farmers for growing oilseeds for biodiesel. While there is said to be 50 million hectares of wasteland which could be taken up for biofuel crops, it would be interesting to know how much is actually being grown on wastelands. Or how much is displacing food crops?
We have heard enough about Indonesia slashing and burning its forest to grow lucrative palm oil. Not only forests, but even cultivatable land is being used to grow biofuel crops. This means lesser acreage under food crops, with population growth showing no fatigue!
But with crop productivity improving, we are getting improved yields on half the land holding area as three decades ago. The other solution would be to do what Brazilian farmers do – rotate food and energy crop!
In the US where there is heated debate about the eco-friendly nature of biofuels, the question being asked is on indirect land use change.
U.S. farmers are selling one-fifth of their corn to ethanol production, so U.S. soybean farmers are switching to corn, so Brazilian soybean farmers are expanding into cattle pastures, so Brazilian cattlemen are displaced to the Amazon!!
Is it too early for such life cycle analysis of biofuel crops?
Regarding food security issues, experts feel there is no need to be worried. We conclude that energy crop production does not need to lead to increased food insecurity, for a couple of reasons.
What do you think? What has your experience been? Do you believe there is cause for worry?
Is it good to have legislation on what kind of land the crop is grown? Or to fix a quota on land under biofuel?
According to industry watchers, the densities of raw materials for biodiesel production in India are high but it is lacking in production and plantation of raw material (Jatropha) for biodiesel production.
States like Andhra Pradesh have offered 100 percent subsidy to farmers for growing oilseeds for biodiesel. While there is said to be 50 million hectares of wasteland which could be taken up for biofuel crops, it would be interesting to know how much is actually being grown on wastelands. Or how much is displacing food crops?
We have heard enough about Indonesia slashing and burning its forest to grow lucrative palm oil. Not only forests, but even cultivatable land is being used to grow biofuel crops. This means lesser acreage under food crops, with population growth showing no fatigue!
But with crop productivity improving, we are getting improved yields on half the land holding area as three decades ago. The other solution would be to do what Brazilian farmers do – rotate food and energy crop!
In the US where there is heated debate about the eco-friendly nature of biofuels, the question being asked is on indirect land use change.
U.S. farmers are selling one-fifth of their corn to ethanol production, so U.S. soybean farmers are switching to corn, so Brazilian soybean farmers are expanding into cattle pastures, so Brazilian cattlemen are displaced to the Amazon!!
Is it too early for such life cycle analysis of biofuel crops?
Regarding food security issues, experts feel there is no need to be worried. We conclude that energy crop production does not need to lead to increased food insecurity, for a couple of reasons.
What do you think? What has your experience been? Do you believe there is cause for worry?
Is it good to have legislation on what kind of land the crop is grown? Or to fix a quota on land under biofuel?
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