Biofuel Development in India: Prospects and Problems

Abstract

Since the beginning of civilisation, humans have depended on organic materials – or “biomass” – for cooking and heat. Many developing countries in Asia and Africa still do. Biofuels may be one of the dumber of the grand and a well-intentioned idea of 21st century. Using waste biomass to produce energy can reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce pollution and waste management problems. One of the main justifications for the development of biofuels is the environmental benefits that result from the displacement of fossil fuels. At present, the most efficient production of ethanol is based on dedicated food crops, but nowadays, biofuels are produced from non-food-crops and non-edible oil plants like biomass waste materials, Jatropha, etc. At the same time, these dedicated ethanol crops likely have the greatest impact on food supply and demand systems. The research and technological developments are day-to-day improving and becoming applicable for biofuel production from such biomass that is not for human consumption. But there are many negative environmental consequences from the production of biofuels. Governmental and non-governmental policies of biofuel development are totally business oriented. From technology developers to energy crop producers all are more economical and less environmental. Moreover, biofules have also links with social aspects as food security, food prices, resources, etc.