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 …
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
An Indonesian plantation company has filed the first patent applications for a hybrid variety of palm oil seeds and their production that it expects will increase the crop's yield by several hundred per cent. London Sumatra, a British-founded company now part of the Indofood Group, is confident the new hybrid …
The Union Cabinet has cleared the National Biofuel Policy, and set an indicative 2017 target to blend 20 per cent sugarcane-extracted ethanol with petrol, and non-edible oil with diesel. In the absence of a clear road map ahead, the National Biofuel Coordination Committee headed by the Prime Minister faces an …
Borculo (Netherlands): Set amid cornfields and cow pastures in Holland is a shallow pool that is rapidly turning green with algae, harvested for animal feed, skin treatments, biodegradable plastics
The infamous Chambal Valley, the erstwhile paradise for dacoits, is gearing up for a makeover. Its barren landscape with deep gorges and ravines will soon see wind energy plants and its earth will be used for biofuel. The Chambals will get a makeover With most of the major dacoit gangs
