Bioenergy and Food Security: Indian Context

Abstract

Bioenergy is the subject of increasing attention around the world and represents a controversial issue. The rise of commodities prices, the negative impact on food security, and climate change represent different challenges to be overcome before the full potential 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 fuels crops, naturally expect a high return from their farmland, thereby generating a scenario where food production gets depleted. The case study reported in this article is of a typical district from India (Tumkur) and shows that optimal production of bioenergy can be generated by using the wasteland present in the area. This way, food security for the future generation can be maintained along with optimal growth of bioenergy.