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The hidden face of Jatropha for Biofuels |
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Written by AEFJN
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Tuesday, 24 July 2007 |
 Promoters of new cultures for income proclaim strongly all advantages of the culture of Jatropha: “survives to drought, grows in arid soils, fast growth, many uses possible with every part of the plant, very easy biodiesel production …”The ‘Agro-businessmen’ justify expansion of monoculture for biofuels by, in the North, fighting for climate change and against pollution of transportation fuel, and, in the South, by an opportunity to enlarge the sources of income and to enter on the global market. Their lobby is very active. For example, in 2005-2006, the European Commission called for a committee of experts counseling its policy on biofuels; this committee was made of experts coming from…car and oil industries and biotechnology companies! It is true that selling oil of Jatropha for biofuels returns more then selling it for food. But who gains?
In fact, monoculture, no matter it is cotton, banana or Jatropha, always brings the same problem: monopoly of production and sale line by international companies that do not clutter themselves by any local first needs in the country where they develop the culture (competition for land, water, with food), no more concern for environment or biodiversity (by introducing monoculture at a large scale or GMO and by the deforestation), and even less for the energy costs of transporting around the world the biofuels products!
On its side, the common European ignores that behind the promotion of “Biofuels” there are so many business of industries and many agricultural and social problems hidden. He does even not imagine that one lies on the vocation of ‘bio’(-fuels). Of course, he will welcome less easily biofuels when he realizes the tie between the rise of foods’ prices and the orientation of agriculture toward fuels.
Let's know how to read between the lines. Let's require some complete and correct reports, the priority of the human rights and of the MDGs that our governments have signed, and also a revision of the consumption and the production of energy in its whole. Especially, do not let a new colonization get in place in Africa.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 July 2007 )
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