Biofuel production may worsen water, food problems in Asia: study

An international research group has warned in a recent study that continued rapid growth in biofuel production may worsen already serious water resource and food problems in Asia.

The International Water Management Institute said in its report that “Ambitious plans in China and India to greatly increase domestic production of biofuels derived from crops will put greater stress on these countries’ water supplies, seriously undermining their ability to meet future food and feed demands.”
The Colombo, Sri Lanka-based group calculated the amount of land and irrigation water required for the production of biofuel crops such as corn, wheat and sugarcane in the countries in 2020, in line with their biofuel production plans and demographic forecast.

According to the research compiled by the group affiliated with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, China aims to increase biofuel production fourfold from the current level by 2020 while India pursues a similar strategy.

To meet the targets, the group pointed out that China would need an additional 75 liters of irrigation water per person every day and India an additional 70 liters per day.

AOL