Home⇛Annals of Tropical Research⇛vol. 31 no. 1 (2009)

Food security implications of biofuel production

Teodoro C Mendoza

 

Abstract:

same resources or inputs (land, water, initial energy or oil, fertilizer and machineries) as in producing food for humans. As early as the 1980s, all the prime lands in the world are already used for agri- and - aquaculture (1970s for the Philippines. Biofuel production consumed water (up to 10,000 L of water/L ethanol). At present, 74% of water is used to irrigate food crops. Only 1% water is now used for biofuel but this water consumption will increase to 80% if the biofuel production plan materializes. One out of three individuals in the world is now suffering from water scarcity. Global warming/ global climate change, droughts, more forest fires and high evaporation triggered by high temperature will further magnify the diminishing supply of fresh water both for agriculture and domestic use (household and industries).



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