Documentary on Jatropha Investment In Ghana
This is an output of a an international, trans-disciplinary study on the bio-fuel feedstock, Jatropha curcas, initiated by teams from Ghana and Ethiopia.
Globally, interest in liquid bio-fuels has been increasing: The growing interest in bio-fuel stems from several factors, including: climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels; rapid increases in fossil fuel prices; and the unpredictable supplies in the Middle East and other production centres.
To meet global demand, Africa has become an important target producer of the feedstock for bio-fuel production. In particular, land has been acquired for production of Jatropha curcas as a feedstock in Ghana and Ethiopia.
However, the effects of Jatropha curcas cultivation and production on the lives and livelihoods of local and rural farmers in Africa have generally not been considered and are not well understood.
Yet, a progressive influx of both multinational and local investors is acquiring land across Africa to establish plantations for bio-fuel production.
In Ghana and Ethiopia in particular, this has resulted in several important and overlapping conflicts and land use changes.
As there are no evidence based studies on the situation, the research aims at providing this, develop capacity and influence policy in the sector to positively impact livelihoods particularly in the rural areas.
Richmond Antwi-BediakoRural
Rural Environmental Care Association
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P. O. Box KIA 9142,
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Ghana
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