http://www.newsday.co.zw/2013/05/09/biodiesel-production-triggers-food-shortages/
‘Biodiesel production triggers food shortages’
May 9, 2013 in Business, Energy
A LOCAL environmentalist has warned that the production of biodiesel at
a commercial scale could lead to food shortages, depriving communities
of their livelihood.
Business Reporter
Environment Africa director Barnabas Mawire said production of Jatropha
at local level has far much better results as compared to producing the
crop for bio-diesel fuel.
He said government should shift its focus to the production of
by-products of the jatropha crop rather than biodiesel production,
adding that production of the biofuel is at nascent stages in most
economies.
“Jatropha promotion should start at community level otherwise if people
don’t see the benefits at local level then it’s not a good project,” he
said.
The non-governmental organisation has 25 groups that it is working on
Jatropha with each group having at least 200 people.
Mawire said Environment Africa, together with Worldwide Wild Fund
Zimbabwe, carried studies that revealed that it’s economically viable to
produce Jatropha seed at local level.
He said the gross margin was found to be positive from a yield as little
as 0,5 tonnes per hectare through to two tonnes per hectare for a
soap-making enterprise.
“If the benefits from Jatropha cake, household illumination and other
products are factored into the equation, the benefits will double if not
treble. When compared to selling the seed to outside buyers, local level
processing brings better benefits to the community than otherwise,” he said.
Mawire said communities in Mudzi produce oil, bar soap and petroleum
jelly from Jatropha.
He, however, added that there was need for government to demystify some
of the myths that have been created about the Jatropha plant.
Mawire said when the jatropha project was launched, there were myths
that the plant requires little water and also that people can make a lot
of money out of producing Jatropha seed for bio-diesel when, instead,
the plant has to be produced in large quantities for better yields.
“Informed and sound research and scientific information is required so
that we do not end up with problems in food security. When I say food
security I mean that there is need for people to understand that if they
use land for Jatropha they will not be able to use the land for other
plants,” he said.
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