WRENmedia

Africa's green revolution?

As the biofuel debate continues, Eric Kadenge went to speak to Isaac Kalua, the Founder and Chairman of the Green Africa Foundation. He asked him for his thoughts on the debate, which is reaching new heights - especially concerning the use of good agricultural land for fuelling industry and vehicles - instead of providing food. Listen to what he has to say about the debate in 'Africa's green Revolution?' And, find out more about one crop which is fast becoming one of the most important sources of biofuel - jatropha curcas. Is it suitable for cultivation in Africa?

published: March 2008

FAO/Jon Spaull

Managing sustainable woodlots

One of the most popular biofuels in Africa is wood. In Managing sustainable woodlots, our correspondent Winnie Onyimbo speaks to Dr Evans Kituyi from the Renewable Energy Technology Assistance Programme (RETAP) in Kenya, and finds out what communities can do to sustain and make the most of their own woodlots.

published: February 2008

Julius Mwelu/IRIN

Jatropha in Africa

So how is Jatropha being received as a biofuel crop in Africa? Our correspondent Christopher Kakunta in Zambia discovered that there are some strong supporters of the oil rich crop. He spoke to Tyson Bruno Chisambo from the Biofuels Association of Zambia to ask him whether jatropha is really likely to be a viable option - especially for smallscale farmers - in Africa as a whole. We hear that the crop has plenty of advantages and potential - both commercially and on the farm. Mr Chisambo believes that with the correct investment, farmers could reap good rewards from jatropha. But he adds, funding for inputs and credit will be needed.

published: February 2008

WRENmedia

Jatropha success in India?

It is amazing to think of the amount of energy many people consume in our daily lives. The future of our economic growth depends on it: industry needs fuel. India is one country under pressure to keep up with industrial activity and productivity, but at the same time, to reduce emissions of harmful gasses during energy production. Is it possible? To find out, Neil Palmer went to ICRISAT, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics in India. He spoke to some leading scientists there, to ask them what kind of success farmers growing jatropha have had. In 'Jatropha success in India?', we hear about the crop's success - and importantly, what they might mean for Africa.

published: February 2008

WRENmedia

The biofuel debate

Concern about climate change is on the rise. Governments across the world are setting new and more competitive targets to cut carbon emissions and reduce their pollution levels. But to maintain the high standards of living that we aspire to, we need industry, we need vehicles to transport goods - in short we need fuel. Many people believe that biofuels are the answer. Extracted from organic plant and animal matter instead of diminishing natural fossil fuels, biofuel is dubbed by many as the fuel for the next generation. Critics have their reservations about the potential of biofuel to provide an environmental and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel. In Ghana, Adu Domfeh spoke to researchers, students and people on the street, to ask what they think about the 'biofuel debate'.

published: February 2008

WRENmedia

Monoculture versus biodiversity

One of the criticisms aimed at biofuels is that they are often responsible for the displacement of biodiversity. For example in Brazil, there is concern that the production of sugarcane, which can be used to create ethanol for fuel, has resulted in the clearing of large expanses of rainforest. This has a negative impact on local biodiversity and the preservation of indigenous plant varieties. In Cameroon, Martha Chindong spoke to Mary Mbantenkhu to ask her what problems might arise from the large-scale cultivation of monocultures for biofuel production.

published: February 2008

FAO/Guiseppe Bizzarri

Do biofuels mean big business?

One of the arguments for biofuels is that they can offer smallscale farmers a route out of poverty. Their production in the rural areas, especially on degraded land which is unsuitable for food crops, can re-invigorate the rural economy and revive business for smallscale farmers. Chris Kakunta spoke to Munshimbwe Chitalu to ask him whether biofuels can really offer smallscale farmers a viable route out of poverty, or whether big business is likely to cream the profits.

published: February 2008

FAO/Guiseppe Bizzarri

Do you get out what you put in?

Some critics argue that the process of making biofuels actually emits more carbon and harmful gasses than the process of exploiting natural oil and gas reserves. Speaking to Steven Minja, the chairman of Jatropha Products Tanzania, Lazarus Laiser asks the question - are any biofuels efficient? He discovered that different biofuels are cultivated and processed in different ways - and this can make a difference.

published: February 2008

FAO

Sustainable woodlotting

Fuel wood is the oldest biofuel available. In Africa it is still widely used as a cheap and readily available source of fuel. But, trees cut for firewood often produce large amounts of carbon dioxide and reduce natural forests. One solution is to encourage communities to set up sustainable wood lots. The woodlots are areas of land dedicated to tree cultivation and managed in a sustainable way. In Malawi Excello Zidana spoke to Zwide Dexter Jere at Total Land Care to find out kind of trees are grown, and how they are managed to ensure sustainable harvest of trees.

published: February 2008

WRENmedia

Do more biofuels mean less food?

One of the main concerns regarding the production of biofuels is related to natural resource management. Critics argue that valuable resources needed to feed the world's growing population, could be diverted to the cultivation and processing of biofuels for industry. In other words, land will be used for growing biofuel crops, instead of food crops. In this interview, Adu Domfeh in Ghana investigates. He asks Charles Ampong, from the Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment, whether this concern is well founded. Will the cultivation of biofuel replace the cultivation of food?

published: February 2008