The raging controversy regarding diversion of farm lands which produce valuable staple food crops for biofuel yielding plants like Jatropa does not seem to be fading away as many multinational and large players in this field are eying fertile lands in African continent for cultivation of such plants. This raises the pertinent question as to what will happen to the food security in these countries since food production is bound to suffer in the long run. No doubt fuel supply for running the modern industrial society is crucial but it cannot get precedence over food that is critical for very survival. If the recent reports are to be believed, many countries in Africa and other regions of the world are increasingly diverting their food farm lands for biofuel production.
"Over 20 companies from around the world, including from Brazil, China, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands and Norway, are acquiring land in Ghana to produce biofuels, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Between 15 million and 20 million hectares of farmland around the world have been subject to biofuels negotiations since 2006, according to the Washington-based International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)".
Past experience of Palm oil diversion for biofuel use clearly showed how such changes can affect the global prices of a commodity, which cannot be considered as absolutely essential though nutritionally it is required at certain levels. Already most of the African countries are net importers of food commodities and biofuel 'invasion' will reduce food production significantly making the matter worse for the poor citizens of the countries involved in such activities.
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