With the global demand for biofuel production, Africa’s arable land is increasingly being used to grow crops for biofuel.This is according to South African President Kgalema Mmotlanthe, who was speaking to African leaders at the first Eextraordinary Summit of the African Peer Review Forum (APRF) in Benin, West Africa, recently. “High and increasing demand for biofuel, propelled by high crude oil prices, legislation and incentives offered in many of the major grain-producing countries, may result in less land available for food production,” he warned.
“Multinationals have moved into parts of the continent , bought large tracts of land and are establishing plantations and factories for the production of biofuel.” Motlanthe said that he’d raised the issue at the forum not because he opposed the production of biofuel, but rather because he wanted to emphasise that projects for such production should be positioned within a broader land reform strategy.
“Iit is important that African governments give due attention to this matter, as the land question underlines whatever policy thrusts we conceive of for economic growth and sustainable development of our continent,” said Mmotlanthe.He added that unlike the previous scramble for Africa, the scramble for land for crop production to be used as biofuel is taking place in partnership with areas of African interest. Iit is being promoted as foreign direct investment, foreign aid, and as bringing numerous job opportunities.
He said the problem was that the potential for cleaner energy was being put before the vital consideration of widespread hunger and opportunities that could be derived from utilising the land for purposes other than biofuel production.“What is necessary to deal with the issue is a holistic approach that involves scientists, agriculturalists, health workers, social workers, planners, civil society organisations, and international partners,” stressed Mmotlanthe. – BuaNews
