There are opportunities for developing countries to get foreign currency by exporting bioenergy. In the case of cassava production in Thailand, for instance, the cassava production for food and that for ethanol are balanced now. However, the future use of cassava should be carefully determined. In the future, the amount of cassava production for ethanol may increase, while it is often said that bioenergy utilization may be in conflict with food production, i. e., the international growing demand for ethanol may threaten the stability of domestic supply of food.

Further information

Asifa, M.; Muneer, T. Energy supply, its demand and security issues for developed and emerging economies, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11, 1388-1413(2007)

Carpentieri, M.; Corti, A.; Lombardi, L. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of an integrated biomass gasification combined cycle (IBGCC) with CO2 removal, Energy Conservation and Management, 46, 1790-1808 (2005)

Saxena, R. C.; Adhikaria, D. K.; Goyal, H. B. Biomass-based energy fuel through biochemical routes: A review, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (in press)

The Japan Institute of Energy. “Report on the Investigation and Technological Exchange Projects Concerning Sustainable Agriculture and Related Environmental Issues,” Entrusted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (Fiscal year of 2006) (2007)