-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Governments are looking for alternatives to currently used food crops. The cashew apple holds promise as an attractive substrate to produce bio-ethanol.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G.K. Nair The aggressive move to replace fossil fuels with bio-fuels has driven agriculture to a turning point globally. Economic growth, energy needs and climate change will redefine supply-demand equations and contribute to accelerating food prices, says a latest report of the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Bio-fuels, in particular, have been high on the global agenda largely due to rising concerns about energy security, high energy prices and climate change, as well as the income expectations of farmers and other investors. Meanwhile, the International Grain Council (IGC) has reported an overall growth in the consumption of cereals by 32 per cent in 2007-08 and an estimated 31 per cent in the coming year (41 per cent and 32 per cent respectively in the US). The total quantity used globally this year (95 million tonnes) is large, relative to total world trade in corn (100 million tonnes) and total world corn production (777 million tonnes). The rapid expansion of ethanol and bio-diesel has increased dependency on natural vegetation and crops grown specifically for energy. Bio-fuel production has also introduced new food-security risks and newer challenges for the poor, particularly when resource constraints have led to tradeoffs between food and bio-fuel production and rising food prices. The FAO has already sounded its concern over this alarming situation. Alternatives to food crops Given this scenario, governments are looking for alternatives to currently used food crops. In India, sweet sorghum shows promise for ethanol, as it is, like sugarcane, sugar-based and simpler to process, has 2-3 cropping periods a year, and can be grown in fallow sugarcane land, says a report. The quantities of bio-fuels required to meet energy needs vary between countries and depend on the choice of feedstock. For example, if 20 per cent of the maize crop in the US were used for ethanol production, it would meet only one-third of the country's 10 per cent ethanol blending target. In India, the Government has approved 10-20 per cent blending of ethanol with petrol for automobiles. Efforts are on for large-scale production of bio-fuels from various organic sources such as sorghum, wheat, maize and sugarcane. However, in a country that struggles to achieve self-sufficiencyin food, diversion of foodgrains for bio-fuel production will lead to shortage and a consequent price rise, making it inaccessible to the poor. If 20 per cent of the sorghum crop in India were to be replaced with sweet sorghum, it would be sufficient to meet the country's target of 10 per cent ethanol blending, says a report. The increased bio-fuel demand during 2000-2007, compared with previous historical rates of growth, is estimated to have accounted for 30 per cent of the increase in weighted average grain prices. The biggest impact was on maize prices; bio-fuel demand is estimated to account for 39 per cent of the increase in real prices of maize; 21 per cent for rice; and 22 per cent for wheat, says the report. Cashew apple's potential The cashew apple, an important organic resource generated in cashew plantations and wasted in large quantities, holds promise as an attractive substrate to produce bio-ethanol, says Dr M. Abdul Salam, Professor and Chairman, Department of Agronomy, Kerala Agricultural University, who has done extensive research in cashew. In India, cashew is grown in 8.37 lakh ha mainly in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Karnataka and Kerala. Only the nuts are used to produce cashew kernels, while almost all the cashew apple is wasted except in some places like Goa. Additional income prospect would motivate growers to cultivate cashew in the large tracts of wasteland lying unused in the country. The cashew apple contains a large amount of starch which can be used in ethanol production. In Goa, feni containing 40-50 per cent ethanol is made from cashew apple. Products such as juice, jam, candy and pickle are also made from it. Technology requirement Global production of cashew apple is estimated at about 21.7 million tonnes. Therefore, the potential for bio-ethanol production from cashew apple is high, Dr Salam said. One kg of raw nut is estimated equivalent to apple capable of producing 500-600 ml of ethanol of about 70 per cent purity. So, globally cashew apple can generate about 17.3 lakh tonnes of ethanol. The current technology used in ethanol production from cashew apple is not sophisticated or economically viable, Dr Salam said. UNIDO has initiated steps to evolve a suitable technology. Wasteland development A pragmatic effort by the Government to utilise wasteland for cashew cultivation would not only help produce ethanol but also lower the country's decades-old dependence on imported raw nuts. It would also help enhance the income of cashew farmers, generate employment opportunities and offer a fuel source for the rural poor. Additionally, it would promote conservation of environment and ecology, especially in coastal areas. The IFPRI has called for a comprehensive policy framework for sustainable bio-fuel development. Ethanol fuel market Brazil remains the world leader in production and consumption of ethanol, which accounts for 20 per cent of that country's transport fuel market and is 55 per cent cheaper than regular gasoline. More than 60 per cent of its cars are flex-fuel vehicles that can run as readily on ethanol as regular gasoline. India and Thailand lead Asia in ethanol production and use. A sugar glut and burgeoning supplies of molasses in 2002 hastened the establishment of an ethanol programme in India. In mid-March that year, the Government decided to allow the sale of E-5 countrywide and mandated that nine States and four federally ruled areas will have to sell gasoline blended with 5 per cent ethanol from January 1, 2003. This has translated into a captive market for at least 0.5 billion litres of fuel ethanol. The IFPRI says the poor are impacted by bio-fuels as consumers in the food and energy markets, producers of agricultural commodities in small businesses, and workers in labour markets. The increase in agricultural demand and the resulting increase in agricultural prices will affect poor people in different ways. Some poor farmers could gain. However, the majority of poor people would respond to high food prices with reduced consumption, leading to calorie and nutrition deficiencies. http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110450070900.htm "All you need is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Kences1" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/kences1?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
