Research themes

(1) Small scale versus large scale processing for added value

This theme assesses options for biomass processing for energy. It considers advantages and disadvantages of different processing scales, with particular reference to Cassava and Jatropha production in Mozambique.

Researchers:

Johan Sanders, Agrotechology & Food Sciences (AFSG), WUR, www.afsg.wur.nl

(4) The role of charcoal production from common land in the bio-energy economy of Mozambique and the implications of expansion of bio-fuels on natural resource (land) use and livelihoods

This study first seeks to model the factors influencing charcoal production and use. Thereafter, energy production in terms of wood and charcoal from savanna and forest area will be compared with the energy production of cultivated perennial bio-energy crops such as Jatropha. The conceptual model will be used to explore and predict the impact of current investments in bio-energy on wood and charcoal production and use. Researcher: Almeida Sitoe, Forestry Department, Eduardo Mondlane University, www.direito.uem.mz

(5) The role of knowledge and science in enhancing societal negotiation about bio-fuel production in the context of competing interests

Focused on Mozambique, discourses around bio-energy will be explored to study the roles played by knowledge and knowledge gaps in negotiations and public debate.

Researchers: Cees Leeuwis and Marc Schut, Communication & Innovation Studies (CIS), WUR, www.cis.wur.nl

(6) Bio-fuel networks and international trade regulations and their power to shape local realities

Researchers: Arthur Mol and Peter Oosterveer,

Environmental Policy Group (ENP), WUR, www.enp.wur.nl

(7) Competing claims: the impact of biomass for bio-energy production on food security at household level in the four case study areas, and at national level

This theme will focus on the possible and potential synergies between bio-energy and food security, with an emphasis on the Mozambican case.

Researcher: Maja Slingerland,

See also (on this website): 

> Seminar on Competing Claims, biofuels and smallholder farmers in the tropics (november 2008)

Bio-fuels: development through new resource uses?

(2) Connecting smallholders to bio-energy markets

Governance structures in the upstream part of the supply chain

This research theme seeks to review the ‘contract farming’ model. Contract farming could be one way to link farmers to bio-energy production and marketing chains. A literature review and feedback from a multi-stakeholder meeting – organized by agroprofocuss in the Netherlands – serve as the basis of an exploration of the applicability of the contract farming model in a variety of bio-energy initiatives in Mozambique. Researcher:

Jos Bijman, Management Studies Group (MST), WUR, www.mst.wur.nl

(3) The economics of biomass for energy

This research theme investigates returns to labour in agriculture for food production as compared to returns to labour in bio-energy production. The resulting model will be presented in a policy paper.

Researchers: Erwin Bulte and Kees Burger

Development Economics Group (DEC), WUR, www.dec.wur.nl