Start Date
3-10-2013 2:10 PM
End Date
3-10-2013 2:35 PM
Description
Abstract: Two factors underlie the quest for biofuel energy production in Nigeria. First is the availability of vast arable agricultural land that is lying waste and largely uncultivated. The oil boom of the mid 70s upturned the country’s economy from being predominantly agrarian economy to crude oil based diseconomy. The result is the shift to oil as a major source of foreign revenue. Consequently, the share of agricultural production in total exports plummeted from over 70 per cent in 1960 to less than 2 per cent today. The abandonment of agriculture has disorientated the economy, which is far from being developed. Second is the energy crisis that hit the economy due to the mismanagement of the crude oil revenue earnings and lack of appropriate energy policy framework. The collapse of the electricity sub-sector and the prohibitive price of petrol and other domestic cooking gas and kerosene forced the authorities to seek alternative sources of cheap fuel. The result was the decision by government to give impetus to biofuel production as one alternative energy source. The development of biofuel would inevitably boost agricultural production of the main cash crops needed as raw materials in industrial biofuel production. How to rekindle interest in agriculture has for decades remained a daunting problem to government.The objective of this paper is to review the policy framework and actions already put forward for biofuel production and asses the implications of such developments on agricultural production. This is with a view to ascertaining to what extent the introduction of biofuel into the energy mix would help to revamp the dwindled agricultural economy. In making this assessment, we sought and obtained relevant information from published materials relating to the issue of concern. These were analyzed in the light of the prevailing circumstances in the country’s agricultural sector. Based on the information gathered and analyzed, we found out that embarking on biofuel as a source of energy would not only rekindle interest in farming but would boost commercial agricultural production of a variety of crops. Essentially, biofuel energy has the capacity to catalyze renewed interest in sustainable agriculture in the country. The study is significant as a source of information for policy makers in planning future line of action pertaining to sustainable agriculture. It is also useful to prospective local and foreign investors in commercial agriculture and biofuel production to counter balance the opportunities and choices available to them.
Citation:
Onyekakeyah, L. (2014). Biofuel Energy Production as Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.
Biofuel Energy Production as Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria
Abstract: Two factors underlie the quest for biofuel energy production in Nigeria. First is the availability of vast arable agricultural land that is lying waste and largely uncultivated. The oil boom of the mid 70s upturned the country’s economy from being predominantly agrarian economy to crude oil based diseconomy. The result is the shift to oil as a major source of foreign revenue. Consequently, the share of agricultural production in total exports plummeted from over 70 per cent in 1960 to less than 2 per cent today. The abandonment of agriculture has disorientated the economy, which is far from being developed. Second is the energy crisis that hit the economy due to the mismanagement of the crude oil revenue earnings and lack of appropriate energy policy framework. The collapse of the electricity sub-sector and the prohibitive price of petrol and other domestic cooking gas and kerosene forced the authorities to seek alternative sources of cheap fuel. The result was the decision by government to give impetus to biofuel production as one alternative energy source. The development of biofuel would inevitably boost agricultural production of the main cash crops needed as raw materials in industrial biofuel production. How to rekindle interest in agriculture has for decades remained a daunting problem to government.The objective of this paper is to review the policy framework and actions already put forward for biofuel production and asses the implications of such developments on agricultural production. This is with a view to ascertaining to what extent the introduction of biofuel into the energy mix would help to revamp the dwindled agricultural economy. In making this assessment, we sought and obtained relevant information from published materials relating to the issue of concern. These were analyzed in the light of the prevailing circumstances in the country’s agricultural sector. Based on the information gathered and analyzed, we found out that embarking on biofuel as a source of energy would not only rekindle interest in farming but would boost commercial agricultural production of a variety of crops. Essentially, biofuel energy has the capacity to catalyze renewed interest in sustainable agriculture in the country. The study is significant as a source of information for policy makers in planning future line of action pertaining to sustainable agriculture. It is also useful to prospective local and foreign investors in commercial agriculture and biofuel production to counter balance the opportunities and choices available to them.
Citation:
Onyekakeyah, L. (2014). Biofuel Energy Production as Catalyst for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.