Sustainable production of sugarcane for ethanol in Southern Africa: an integrated analysis of production models

Abstract

The objective of this work is to explore and suggest feasible production models for sugarcane ethanol in Southern Africa countries taking Mozambique and South Africa as case studies. The local agricultural production model (current farming systems) will be evaluated in terms of land tenure, production activities such as sugarcane and other major crops (e.g. maize, cassava, etc), agricultural practices, soil, climate and the socioeconomic environment. Altogether, these characteristics shape the livelihood conditions of local communities, which reverberate in the policy agenda of developing countries as to the production and use of biofuels (food security, energy self-sufficiency, GHG emissions) at different levels. Therefore, a sustainable sugarcane production model should be able to integrate local demands (socioeconomic) while, at the same time, meeting international environmental standards for biofuels. (AU)