Mozambique backs cassava-based ethanol, says focus will be on converting surplus

In Mozambique, the executive director of the Kenya-based African Agricultural Technological Foundation (AATF), Mpoko Bokanga, told All Africa that using cassava for ethanol production will not threaten African food security. “On the contrary, people should be more optimistic, because opportunities will be opened to solve the problem of poverty”, he said. Mozambique produces 6 million metric tons of cassava per year. Local experts suggest that local farmers will sell surplus cassava for biofuels, rather than converting their entire harvest to a cash crop.

Cassava projects have recently been announced in Ghana, China and Thailand.

Caltech Ventures Ghana has invested $10 million in a 400 acre cassava plantation that will expand to 1,200 acres next year and will produce 1.5 million gallons of ethanol. In Thailand, a survey of the country’s cassava production capabilities has been published highlighting improving cassava yields. In the Guanxi province of China, Beihai Gofar Marine Biological Industry announced plans for a 100,000 ton-per-year (33 Mgy) cassava-based ethanol plant. Beihai Gofar will raise $74.5 million in new equity to finance the new project. The plant, in Beihai, will be near to a 200,000 ton-per-year ethanol plant under development by China Agri-Industries Holdings. Guanxi provine is the southernmost province of China.