Expert Consultation on Biofuels

The debate on biofuels has reached presidential and prime Ministerial offices and the editorial columns of major dailies. Unfortunately, in comparison with other major policy issues, there have been relatively few biofuel studies in developing countries. Thus, NARES leaders and executives have relatively few studies and no long-term experience with the implementation of biofuel policies. Moreover, the pace of technological development is staggering, as public-and private sector investments in first-and second- generation biofuel technologies are increasing rapidly.

What this all means for food security, land and water use, poverty and rural economic growth is virtually unknown. For this reason, the Third GFAR Conference convened in New Delhi in November 2006 to tackle this topic. To bring inputs to the discussions, CIMMYT and IFPRI with ICRISAT convened a GFAR and APAARI International Workshop on Bioethanol Opportunities and Risks immediately preceding the GFAR Conference. Recommendations were 1) to strengthen relevant crop improvement and crop management research; 2) undertake assessment studies and; 3) create mechanisms for knowledge sharing. Because of the prominence of the bioethanol and biodiesel debates in Asia, APAARI constituents played an active role in the discussions and the framing of the recommendations. This Expert Consultation responded to the spirit of the GFAR recommendations.