Bioenergy and food security: Indian context

Bioenergy is the subject of increasing attention around the world and represents a controversial issue. The rise of commodity prices, the negative impact on food security and climate change represent different challenges to be overcome before the full potentials of bioenergy can be realized. In the context of the development of bioenergy, issues relating to agriculture need special attention. Bioenergy development is always linked with food security. Farmers, having the choice to convert their food crops to fuel crops, naturally expect a high return from their farmland, thereby generating a scenario where food production falls. Present work by doing a case study of a typical district from India namely Tumkur shows that optimal production of bioenergy can be achieved by using the wasteland present in the area. This way, food security for future generations can be maintained along with optimal growth of bioenergy. (C) 2009 International Energy Initiative. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.