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The Local Social and Environmental Impacts of Smallholder-Based Biofuel Investments in Zambia

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dc.contributor.author German, Laura
dc.contributor.author Schoneveld, George C.
dc.contributor.author Gumbo, Davison
dc.date.accessioned 2012-02-23T20:02:21Z
dc.date.available 2012-02-23T20:02:21Z
dc.date.issued 2011 en_US
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/10535/7844
dc.description.abstract "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." en_US
dc.language English en_US
dc.subject biofuels en_US
dc.title The Local Social and Environmental Impacts of Smallholder-Based Biofuel Investments in Zambia en_US
dc.type Journal Article en_US
dc.type.published published en_US
dc.type.methodology Case Study en_US
dc.coverage.region Africa en_US
dc.coverage.country Zambia en_US
dc.subject.sector General & Multiple Resources en_US
dc.identifier.citationjournal Ecology and Society en_US
dc.identifier.citationvolume 16 en_US
dc.identifier.citationnumber 4 en_US
dc.identifier.citationmonth December en_US


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