The broad aim of this project is to raise awareness and understanding of the true opportunities and threats emerging from the current biofuel boom in the drylands of Africa. Very little is known of the impacts that this embryonic yet rapidly expanding industry will have on the rural poor. For instance, biofuel production could be positive for pastoralists, providing additional jobs, animal feed and resources or it could be negative, leading to further land alienation on a large-scale.
Through this project, we will provide pastoralist communities affected by biofuel development with the analysis, skills, knowledge and access to policy processes necessary for them to defend their rights and articulate their experiences to those in power. We will work to influence policy and practice at the regional level by sharing experiences of current impacts, key lessons and strategic development options through pan-Sahelian links.
Activities
In this first year of the programme, our activities will include:
- Developing a clear understanding of the true agronomic and economic potential of Jatropha curcas and likely environmental impacts in drylands;
- Understanding the potential problems and opportunities biofuel production causes to pastoralists and agro-pastoralists;
- Generating a sound set of policy considerations illustrating the costs, benefits and issues relating to biofuel development as it affects pastoralists in order to promote clear policy discussions at national and international levels;
- Developing a clear communication strategy that raises awareness of the threats and opportunities of biofuel production at local, national and international levels.
Update
On 22 October 2008, SOS Sahel UK hosted a high-level workshop on biofuel development in response to concerns from our African partners. The workshop drew together leading experts in dryland agriculture, pastoralism and bioenergy from academic, international development and NGO sectors to agree on some fundamental issues. Of immediate concern was the lack of consideration for pastoral livelihoods within the biofuel debate. Several gaps in knowledge were also uncovered regarding the risks and opportunities of biofuel development in dryland Africa. One of the most worrying, given the rapid expansion of Jatropha cultivation, was the lack of data in the public domain concerning the agronomy and economics of the crop under African conditions. We are now undertaking comprehensive research to fill that gap.
- SOS Sahel Ethiopia - local NGO
- RECONCILE – local NGO operating in Kenya and Uganda