South Africa saves maize for animal feed
As part of a new strategy on biofuel, South Africa has decided not to use maize for this purpose but save it for feed and food purposes, according to Buyelwa Sonjica, minerals and energy minister.
The strategy proposed that just 2% of fuel production
would be through biofuels by 2013 – down from an original target of 4.5% as
proposed in a draft strategy. The minister acknowledged that the revision of the
target, which she also admitted was set low, was in consideration of
agricultural concerns about food security, particularly about the effect of the
use of maize.
would be through biofuels by 2013 – down from an original target of 4.5% as
proposed in a draft strategy. The minister acknowledged that the revision of the
target, which she also admitted was set low, was in consideration of
agricultural concerns about food security, particularly about the effect of the
use of maize.
Fears about price
“This is
largely due to fears around price increases and the fact that maize is a staple
food source for the majority of the poor in the country.” Thus, she said, the
strategy also proposed that the use of maize should be excluded in the
development of the biofuels in the initial stages of this industry development.
Sonjica said the focus would be on soya beans, sunflower seeds and canola, as
well as sugar cane, for biofuels production.
Related
website:
Department
of Minerals and Energy
Related folder:
Dossier All About Bio Energy
Join 26,000+ subscribers
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the need-to-know content in the feed sector, three times a week.
