To ensure a sustainable supply chain for ethanol derived from cassava, it is crucial to prevent price increases in cassava used for food. This risk exists if the demand for animal feed decreases, though this scenario is unlikely.
One way to increase cassava availability for ethanol production is by addressing storage issues that currently lead to volume loss. This involves drying the lost volumes.
Boosting yields in existing plantations or cultivating cassava on unused land can provide additional volumes for ethanol production. For a truly sustainable supply chain, ecological factors like carbon storage, biodiversity, soil quality, water use, water pollution, and air quality must be considered. Social criteria, including labor conditions and respect for land rights, are equally important.
Considering cassava’s role as a staple food for 500 million people, rising demand for ethanol production could impact the food access of those who do not grow cassava. However, existing cassava markets may not see price increases if:
- The demand for cassava in other sectors diminishes by the same volume needed for ethanol production, though no evidence suggests this is currently happening.
- Cassava losses are reduced through improved conservation methods, utilizing heat from cassava residues.
- The increased demand for ethanol is met by additional cassava production without severe ecological consequences.
Creating a new market for cassava from additional production ensures that the existing market remains unaffected by ethanol industry demand. If future cassava demand for the food sector increases, the new ethanol market may need to supply additional cassava.
To enhance food access in regions cultivating cassava for ethanol, intercropping with other food crops or selling excess cassava to the food market are viable options.
Sustainability assessments for biofuel feedstock, regardless of the crop used, must consider ecological criteria like carbon storage, biodiversity, soil quality, water use, and air quality. Social criteria such as labor conditions and land rights are equally important. European countries are developing certification systems for biofuels, but there is currently none for cassava.
Establishing a sustainability certification system for cassava, incorporating additional production as a criterion, could prevent price increases in the existing market and the displacement of current agricultural production with potential ecological consequences.
While certification for the cassava food market is ecologically desirable, it is not recommended due to potential financial burdens on low-income users of cassava.