This briefing paper reviews evidence of the impacts of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) on food prices, with a focus on corn and soy, and presents new analysis on the impact of the RFS on U.S. livestock farmers. Studies examining the relationship between food prices and biofuel demand conclude …
Governments worldwide, including that of India, have the dual challenge to implement a biofuel policy and manage food security. A policy on biofuels should help farmers extract moolah from biofuels and ensure availability of food to the poor. It is a delicate balance, says Food and Agriculture Organizations
The world is still trying hard to over come the double crisis of sky rocketing energy prices, as well as the increasing costs and fears of food shortages. Some of the options being proposed and tried out in some countries, by converting food grains into bio fuels is being blamed …
A penny saved is a penny earned. That is a maxim that telecom operators worldwide appear to have adopted as a motto. While that is not unusual, what is heartening is that they are looking at saving on energy costs through renewable energy sources and better equipment. Safaricom, Kenya
Biofuel will provide jobs to farmers The newest buzz across the globe is to popularise bio-fuel to replace greenhouse gas emitting fossil fuel. Amidst arguments that biofuel
The potential of biofuels as a foreign currency earning sector featured rather strongly at a conference of the non-resident Bangladeshis earlier this year too. According to insiders, the military-controlled interim government has also approved applications and permits for biofuel production. Industry insiders also state that several thousand tonnes of maize …
An influential global network of governments, scientists and conservationists called on Tuesday for deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and said financial turmoil must not sideline work to safeguard animals and plants. "The clear message coming out of this meeting is that biodiversity underpins the well-being of human …
nuclear energy Private players? Private players may soon be allowed entry into nuclear energy production. Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said as much minutes before he went in to deliberate on the draft Integrated Energy Policy with the plan panel. The law will, however, have to be amended …
Over the last two years there has been a rapid rise in the world prices of almost all basic foods like rice, wheat, maize, soyabeans, edible oils etc. leading to high incidence of hunger and malnutrition around the world. This is a serious threat to the global economy, where millions …
In 2008, agricultural commodity prices on world markets reached their highest levels in 30 years. In some cases, the nominal prices set new records. Some of the policy mistakes are seemingly not directly related to agriculture, but have had a profound impact on production choices, and on what kind of …
Corn-based ethanol is yesterday's news for venture capitalists who, these days, are betting on everything from wood chips and algae to turkey guts and trash as potential sources of next-generation biofuels. Corn ethanol caught the imagination of US policymakers as a way to fix multiple problems: rising oil prices, dependence …
Gargi Parsai NEW DELHI: The State of Food and Agriculture Report, 2008 of the Food and Agriculture Organisation has called for an urgent review of the biofuel policies and subsidies to preserve the goal of world food security, protect poor farmers, promote broad-based rural development and ensure environmental sustainability. The …
The first chapter depicts the status of and the global trends in the biofuels industry and markets. It traces the history of the production programme of biofuels and the efforts to promote them in Japan, Canada, the European Union, the United States, Brazil, Latin America, South-East Asia, India, China and …
At first glance, clean technology, which either improves the efficiency or reduces the environmental impact of energy-related products, appears to be a booming industry. It is estimated to be worth $150bn now but will reach $600bn by 2020, a United Nations report says. Investments are being made in a huge …
Biofuels are doing more harm than good, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation said yesterday, in its strongest call yet to review "current policies supporting, subsidising and mandating biofuel production and use". The FAO said the production of biofuels from agricultural commodities such as corn and soyabean was leading …
ROME: A UN agency called on Tuesday for an urgent review of agriculture and biofuel subsidies and trade barriers, saying their removal would increase opportunities for developing countries to take advantage of rising biofuel demand. Imposing price controls and export bans prevents markets from adjusting and may prolong and deepen …
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India is hoping to attract investments of more than $4 billion in renewable energy over the next 5-7 years, as it prepares to unveil a new biofuels policy within a month, renewable energy minister Vilas Muttemwar said. Domestic and foreign companies such as India's Tata group …
Ajay Modi While biodiesel blending in India is yet to take off, certain biodiesel units have commenced production and are exporting the commodity to US and the EU nations. These units are using used non-edible oils and fatty acids from vegetable oils to produce biodiesel. Hyderabad-based Naturol Bioenergy Ltd is …
Large private investments in biofuels are presently underway in Mozambique. This paper uses an economywide model to assess the implications of these investments for growth and income distribution. The results indicate that biofuels provide an opportunity to enhance growth and poverty reduction. Overall, the proposed biofuel investments increase Mozambique
