A study conducted by Action Aid Ghana (AAG) and FoodSPAN in four regions in Ghana has revealed that the production of biofuel is fast affecting food crop farmers in the regions.
The study indicated that due to unavailability of comprehensive policy on biofuel production in the country, its production was having adverse effect on food security, environment, human rights and in general, livelihoods of the affected communities.
The study, which was conducted in the last quarter of last year (2009) covered 12 communities namely; Bredi Camp, Myomoase, Fawoman (all in the Brong Ahafo Region), Dukusen and Afrisre (in the Ashanti Region) and Agomeda in Greater Accra.
The rest include; Adidome, Tordzino, Lolito, Dedukorpe (in the Volta region) and Gomoa Adenten and Baifikrom in the Central region.
According to the report, what was worse was that in most cases the companies involved in the production of the biofuel import labour from outside the communities where production sites were located, and "there were drastic lay-offs as the project progressed from land preparation and planting stages."
It observed that the companies were undertaking large scale plantation farms of maily jatropha production with the smallest farm covering about 75 acres.
The companies engaged in jatropha production were Kimminic Estates Ltd. in the Brong Ahafo Region, Scanfuel Limited in Ashanti Region and Afram Basin and Gold Star Bio-Diesel Farm Limited in the Volta and Central Regions.
"Generally, fertile arable lands suitable for crop production were being used for jatropha production except in the Volta region. Biofuel production projects were characterized by extensive use of weedicides, example Sunphosate with possible pollution of water bodies," it stressed.
It observed that the large scale production also involved the use of heavy machinery resulting in wanton destruction of forest, vegetative cover, biodiversity and economic trees including dawadawa and shea-tress, citing Dukusen in the Afram Basin as a clear example.
In Bredi Camp, a farmer named Mageed bemoaned that his life and that of other community members have been adversely affected as they no longer have land to produce maize, cassava and yam, adding that they were neither consulted by the Omanhene of the area nor the biofuel company before they took over the land, and that they have not been compensated for the displacement.
However, the report recommended for an urgent need for the government and all other stakeholders to discuss the issue of land grabbing for biofuel production objectively and come up with policies that would spell out modalities for biofuel production in the country since food insecurity, destruction of biodiversity and violation of human rights were imminent if not properly handled.
The Project Officer of General Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Joseph Owusu Osei told The Chronicle in an interview that due to the energy crisis the world over, there is a shift to bioproduction, hence countries like Russia, the US and China have moved to Ghana to acquire large tracts of lands in the country.
He said the activities of the multinational companies have left a lot to be desired.
He noted that they would present a policy paper to the Parliamentary select committee on Food and Agriculture on March 25th 2010 on what steps to take to combat the situation.
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Good article because it is an African problem. Am a Ghanaian and couldn't agree much!
These two NGOs do have fun deceiving themselves thinking Ghanaians no do know what our agriculture problems are. Why are we still talking about land size rather than productivity? Why are we still asking our youth to go into agriculture when we know the future is mechanization? Biofuel has no threat to food production. These mentioned companies have a combine planted area of less than 5000acees out of 30 million acres of arable land. Guys our forest land is depleted by to only 15% of pre 1976 levels. What happened to all that land?
DONT TOUCH Me, your comment is somewhat confusing. I am confused as to why you mention mechanization since the article is not about mechanization, nor do you explain what mechanization. Furthermore without agriculture there is no future unless you reckon you can live on pills developed in a laboratory à la "Soylent Green." Your comment seems to be based on generalised talking points rather than facts. Land Grabbing is indeed a problem which African countries NEED to address, monocropping is a problem all countries NEED to address, the social and political consequences of blindly following the advise of international companies, which often exist outside the law, is a problem African countries NEED to address, the "right to food" is a problem all African countries NEED to address. The companies mentioned in the article are foreign and the bulk of their production will be leaving Ghana, so the real affect on the local economy NEEDS to be addressed unless you reckon these foreign companies are altruisticly inclined and their only purpose is to help Ghana as opposed to themselves. In fact he article does not suggest the suspension of these companies activities, but rather the study and implementation of policies that would protect the environment and local communities, unless of course you reckon large companies, against all evidence, have the best interests of people in their development proposals. Monsanto comes to mind. And whether or not biofuels are completely 'safe' As to biofuels ipact on food production where is your proof that there is none. I provide a quote below from a study, plus there are numerous other studies. The impact on food prices and water usage (the worlds next great crisis) are real issues that NEED to be addressed. Policy and the implementation of such is indeed important. Progress need not be blind. "ScanFuels investment is typical of the trend referred to by the UN special rapporteur; the long time span of the lease, the considerable size of the leased land, and the intention to produce for exportare all characteristic traits. Over 20 companies from countries like Brazil, Italy, China, Germany and India are currently pursuing this venture on Ghanaian land - the welcomes (http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=86044). Land grabbing, in particular to produce agrofuel, is controversial in several ways. ... These issues include how the expropriation of lands to produce agrofuels affects local and national food sovereignty and economic, social and cultural rights. Complexities surrounding traditional ownership and land use versus the privatisation of land, and whether agrofuel actually increases greenhouse gas emissions rather than represent an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels." quote from - http://www.utviklingsfondet.no/Utviklingsfondet_-_forsiden/Ungdomsorganisas jonen_Spire/Vare_temaer/Landgrab/?module=Articles;action=Article.publicShow ;ID=2546;_t=2535 Also this report by Wetlands Intnat'l : http://www.wetlands.org/WatchRead/tabid/56/mod/1570/articleType/ArticleView /articleId/1958/Biofuels-in-Africa.aspx
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It is fair to say that the energy crisis hitting the world has brought over-anxiety to nations, hence the large acquisitions of farm lands to aid production of oil. Though the idea is laudable, it should not be at the detriment to human rights ; right to live in good health, right to work in your own environment, right to develop as a person and as a community. I believe the government (Mr. Joseph Owusu Osei) is fully aware that giving such large proportions of farmlands away is a major threat to the health of the nation especially, children. My concern is leaders of today should not only think and provide for the NOW, but also give greater consideration about the up-coming generations. That is one way of maintaining our dignity as a nation.
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