Competence Platform on Energy Crops & Agroforestry Systems for Arid & Semi-

arid Ecosystems (COMPETE)

By Charles B.L. Jumbe, PhD (Econ)

University of Malawi Centre for Agricultural Research & Development

Bunda College P.O. Box 219, Lilongwee Malawi

Email: charlesjumbe@yahoo.com

Presented at the FANRPAN Stakeholders Regional Policy Dialogue- 4-7 September 2007, Holiday Inn,

Lusaka Zambia

Outline

Motivation-Why energy crops?The Pearls of biofuelsThe Perils of biofuelsObjectives of COMPETEProject set-upMain activitiesObjectives of WP6-Policy DevelopmentWhat next beyond COMPETE?

High dependence on fossil fuels for cooking & heating - associated with deforestation & health concerns

Between 2.3 & 3 bn people rely on traditional fuels, animal dung & crop residues for cooking and heatingEvery year, 1.5 m people die from inhaling smoke from burning these fuels & 50% are children

Dependence on imported liquid fuels from fragile states politically –ensure energy securityIncreased environmental concerns (GHG emission) associated with burning of fossil fuels.Increased interest in diversifying energy sources

Motivation-Why energy crops?

Biofuels offer a great opportunity for developing countries due to availability abundant land, cheap labour force, water, sunlight & favourable climate. Possibilities for saving foreign exchange by substituting imported fossil fuels with biofuels Possibilities of improving rural livelihood through use of biofuels for domestic lighting, cooking and powering small engines (e.g. hammer mills)Possibilities of enhancing rural incomes through small-scale production of feed-stock in marginal areas &biofuel production for domestic & export market

The Pearls of biofuels

Possibilities of providing electricity in remote locations (Examples, Mali and Tanzania)

Energy crop harvesting & processing can create more job opportunities for the poor Higher agricultural product demand can increase incomes of the rural farmersAs technology advances, crop residues may be sold as feedstock for producing 2nd generation biofuels

The Pearls of biofuels

The Perils of biofuels

Food vs. fuel trade-off may lead to:diversion of scarce natural resources (land, water) from food to bioenergy production

Potential to damage livelihood/increase rural poverty: Food price increase - Depending on feedstock used

in biofuels production, rate of growth of biofuel production may surpass that of food production creating food supply shortage

Land tenure- Large-scale production of biofuels could push subsistence farmers & rural forest dwellers off land.

The Perils of biofuels

Effect on environmentGHG emission- 1 ha of land put into sugarcane for ethanol production saves 13 tons of CO2 every year. If, however, natural forests were allowed to regenerate on the same hectare of land, 20 tons of CO2 would be absorbed every year!Deforestation: The clearing of virgin land for large-scale biofuel production (often mono-culture systems) can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, nutrient loss thru leaching, etc Biodiversity: There are increased concern that biofuel expansion could lead to irreversible changes in the ecosystem leading to loss of biodiversity

Increased potential for the exploitation of non-food feedstock for biofuel production

The future of biofuels

Jatropha Carcus Sunflower

Sweet sorghum

The future of biofuels

Advances in biotechnology, genetic improvement & hydrolysis of crop residues, straw, grass, etc. will be the main driver of growth in the production of 2nd generation biofuels

Biotechnology Hydrolysis Biomass gasification

Biofuels (bio-electricity, biodiesel & ethanol) will become a globally traded commodity

Biofuels development should be considered as an opportunity to be exploited.

The future of biofuels

Objectives of COMPETE

to establish a platform for policy dialogue & capacity building to identify pathways for the sustainable provision of bioenergy to improve the quality of life & create alternative means of income for rural dwellers in Africa to aid in the preservation of intact eco-systems to enhance the exchange of knowledge between EU & developing countries

Project Set-up

Overall Management - WIP Renewable Energies-Germany

WP1 – Current Land Use Patterns and Impacts- (University of Kwa Zulu Natal, Republic of South Africa)WP2 – Energy Crops and Agroforestry Systems – Improved Land Use- (Copernicus Institute, Utrecht University, The Netherlands)

WP3 – Sustainability Analysis of Alternative Land Use- (Imperial College, United Kingdom)

WP4 – South-South and North-South Cooperation – Africa, Latin America, Asia and Europe- (Winrock International India)

WP5 – Financing of Alternative Land Use and International Trade- (Energy for Sustainable Development, United Kingdom)

WP6– Policy Development(FARNPAN, Republic of South Africa)

WP7 – Dissemination : Concept and Set-up of a Competence Platform- (WIP- Renewable Energies- Germany)

Main activities

Evaluating current & future potential for sustainable provision of bioenergy in AfricaFacilitating South-South technology & information exchange in R&D in bioenergyDeveloping innovative tools for the provision of financing mechanisms for national bioenergy programmes & projectsDeveloping practical, targeted and efficient policy mechanisms for the development of bioenergy systemsEstablishing a Competence Platform for effective dissemination & knowledge exchange

To coordinate policy research activitiesfacilitate efficient implementation of energy crops & agroforestry systemsavoid adverse environmental & social degradation from faulty policies

To develop & evaluate policy initiatives together with relevant partners

inform EU development policy about Africa’s policy objectives in the bioenergy sector

To develop a roadmap for policy research in conjunction with FAO & other institutions

Objectives of WP6-Policy Development

What next beyond COMPETE?

The era of biofuels is here to stay to ensure energy security & address environmental concerns associated with burning of fossil fuels, at the same time, enhancing rural livelihoods.FANRPAN should be in the fore front

provide guidance for development of legislation to monitor, safeguard & mitigate environmental perils of biofuels (e.g., land tenure policies)support rigorous research & analysis to provide evidence-based responses against biofuel development (impact on food prices, water & land)Development of a stakeholder directory for researchers & stakeholders involved in the biofuels sector

End of Presentation