UN Cautions Zambia on Producing Biofuels Instead of Food

The UN Resident Representative in Zambia, Aenias Chuma, has cautioned Zambian farmers against abandoning food crops in favor of biofuel crops, that would leave the population hungry.

Chuma said Sunday there was need for caution in growing plants for use in the production of biofuels in view of the world currently experiencing high food prices because farmers have not been growing enough to sustain consumption partly due some of them opting for biofuel plants.

Scientists have in the recent past identified the jatropha plant as one that can grow in abundance and from which biofuels can be produced in large quantities.

Chuma, however, advised Zambian farmers not to abandon food production because of the looming world wide food crisis.

He instead asked the Zambian government to open up more land that is currently under-utilized for food production.

The government has said although there are widespread food shortages, especially cereals in many parts of Africa, Zambia currently has adequate food stocks because of a surplus from last season’s harvest.

Source African Press Agency

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