Food or Fuel, the Ethanol debate
A common objection to biomass energy production is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops in a hungry world — even leading to mass starvation in the poor countries.
True or not?
Not true: at best it’s an oversimplification of a complex issue. It just doesn’t work that way, and neither does hunger.
“A major criticism often levelled against biomass, particularly against large-scale fuel production, is that it could divert agricultural production away from food crops, especially in developing countries.
The basic argument is that energy-crop programmes compete with food crops in a number of ways (agricultural, rural investment, infrastructure, water, fertilizers, skilled labour etc.) and thus cause food shortages and price increases.”
