Assessing the Implication of Liquid Bioenergy Production from Food Crops on Food Security in Tanzania: The Case of Dodoma Region

Abstract

Tanzania is in the process of promoting the production of liquid bioenergy from non-staple food crops. According to the government, this would give the country a unique opportunity to address both food and energy security. However, there is a concern that using food crops to produce bioenergy could jeopardize food security in the country. This study puts forward these opposing arguments based on the literature review and field research. A total of 100 respondents were selected randomly for interviews in Dodoma Region, Tanzania. The key question to address was whether producing liquid bioenergy from food crops will enhance or jeopardise food security in the country. Findings from the literature review are inconclusive while the field results show that 80% of the respondents indicated dissatisfaction with the policy proposal with reasons that it could lead to allocating all productive land to bioenergy production, the lack of money to purchase food, poor market infrastructure and the temptation to sell all food for bioenergy. To achieve a win-win situation, the government should undertake zoning for bioenergy and food production areas and enhance agricultural productivity. The policy also should emphasize local processing of liquid bioenergy for value addition, employment and rural development.

Keywords: liquid bioenergy, transport, food security, Tanzania, Sub-Saharan Africa