Water implications of biofuel development in semi-arid Sub-saharan Africa: case studies of four countries

Abstract

Biofuel production may have considerable impacts on water resources. To analyze the implications of biofuel development on water resources in the semi-arid parts of Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania and Mali, case studies were elaborated. In all four countries plans are under way to develop comprehensive biofuel policies. Botswana and Mali have similarities since they are water scarce countries with high dependency on imported food and energy. Whilst large areas of Mali and Botswana are semi-arid, the semi-arid parts in Zambia and Tanzania are of smaller size and have relatively suitable conditions for biofuel production. In Zambia and Tanzania, there are sugarcane and jatropha-based biofuel projects, whereas in Botswana and Mali biofuel production is mainly based on jatropha. It is shown that the expansion of biofuel projects in all four countries may adversely affect water resources. It is therefore recommended that water scarce countries such as Botswana and Mali should engage in biofuel projects which do not require much irrigation. The production model of integrating biofuel production with food crop production as practised in Mali provides useful lessons for Botswana and other countries. Whilst in Zambia and Tanzania large-scale projects based on contract farming could be expanded to reach the full potential of these countries, it is crucial to carefully monitor their impacts on water resources.