Even as world hunger increases and government policy responses have limited effect on high food prices, there is an opportunity for agricultural (including small holders) in developing countries. In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines food security based on four dimensions:

1. Availability (production)

2. Access (income and prices)

3. Utilization (nutrition)

4. Stability (price volatility)

But in the context of the bioenergy and food security program (BEFS), the focus consists on availability and access (FAO, 2008). The BEFS project is designed in the framework of FAO and the German Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) collaboration to mainstream food security concerns into national and subnational assessments of bioenergy potential. As reported by the FAO, the key questions the project will address are:

• What are the best types of bioenergy systems to help diversify agricul­tural output (energy feedstock), contribute to rural development, and increase rural employment and incomes?

• How could bioenergy production benefit the environment and increase energy and food security for producers farming biomass as a source of energy for themselves, on-farm use, local communities, or commercial markets?

• How could diversification of domestic energy supply provide increased energy access to rural enterprises and reduce the household energy bur­dens of rural women?

• Is there anything different about bioenergy that could mitigate or over­come factors of exclusion that contribute to food insecurity and rural poverty?

• How can low-income, food deficit countries ensure that food security concerns are addressed, given the complex linkages between agricul­ture, energy, environment, and trade?

• What are the implications on available food supplies and food prices in terms of competition for natural or human resources?

• How will bioenergy affect agricultural systems, particularly for poorer households dependent on their own food production?

• Who (public, private, or civil society) is best placed to deal with potential conflicts arising from competition for food, feed, or fuel use of biomass?

FAO considers that increased competition for land and water resources may result, and higher and less stable food prices may be one of many possible con­sequences. Bioenergy may also provide ways to support rural development and raise farm incomes.

Resuming, the BEFS project will analyze the risks and opportunities of bioen­ergy and how it could affect food security in partner countries.