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The local social and environmental impacts of smallholder-based biofuel investments in Zambia

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Title The local social and environmental impacts of smallholder-based biofuel investments in Zambia
 
Creator German, L.
Schoneveld, George C.
Gumbo, D.J.
 
Subject biofuels
jatropha
 
Description High oil prices, recent commitments by industrialized countries to enhance the use of renewable energy, and efforts by developing countries to stimulate foreign investment as a pathway to development have fueled high levels of interest in the biofuel sector throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia is no exception. A large, land-locked country with high pump prices and vast tracts of land considered by many to be “degraded” or “underutilized,” investor interest in the sector has remained high despite uncertainties associated with unproven feedstocks and market fluctuations. While investment in multiple feedstock and production models may be observed, one of the primary investments has been in jatropha outgrower schemes in which small-scale farmers grow feedstock on contract with domestic and foreign investors. We assess the history and evolution of the largest such scheme in Zambia, as well as the social and environmental impacts in two districts with large numbers of outgrowers. Findings suggest that, although such a production model may hold promise for enhancing rural livelihood benefits from the emerging biofuel sector, to date, small-scale farmers have borne the brunt of the risk and uncertainty that are the trademarks of this emerging industry. We conclude with a discussion of options to minimize forest conversion and protect farmers against high-risk investments, while harnessing the potential of this business model for enhancing rural livelihoods in Zambia and elsewhere.
 
Date 2011
2012-06-04T09:15:19Z
2012-06-04T09:15:19Z
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier German, L., Schoneveld, G., Gumbo, D. 2011. The local social and environmental impacts of smallholder-based biofuel investments in Zambia . Ecology and Society 4 (16) :12. ISSN: 1708-3087.
1708-3087
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/20916
https://www.cifor.org/knowledge/publication/3589
 
Language en
 
Source Ecology and Society