Keynote Introduction: Socio-Economic Impacts of Different Scales of Biofuel Production in Africa

Abstract

Two thirds of the population in the developing world, where poverty is at its peak, derive their incomes from agriculture. Thus, the cultivation of energy crops as feedstock for biofuels and bioproducts is considered as large opportunity to improve their economic situation. At the community level farmers who produce dedicated energy crops can increase their incomes and grow their own supply of affordable and reliable energy for their internal needs. At the national level, cultivating biofuel crops may generate new industries, technologies, jobs and markets. At the same time, producing more biofuels will reduce energy expenditures and allow developing countries to put more of their resources into health, education and other services for their neediest citizens. On the other hand, the cultivation of large energy crop monocultures for industrial use will most likely be dominated by international large-scale companies and investors. This may cause negative socio-economic impacts, especially on land tenure issues. Many large-scale economic models discourage pro-development practices. In order to prevent negative social, economic, and environmental impacts, suitable policies, enforcement of legislation and sustainability schemes are needed. The present chapter shows risks and opportunities of biofuel production in Africa related to different production scales and related to the type of end use of the biofuel.