South Africa To Explore Maize For Biofuels

South Africa To Explore Maize For Biofuels

South Africa's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson has emphasised the need for a review of the nation's biofuels policy to include maize, to allow farmers to use their surplus maize for energy production.

The government unveiled blending ratios for biofuels three years ago but said maize, South Africa's staple food, could not be used in the production of biofuels in order to ensure food security and keep a lid on high prices.

Joemat-Pettersson told a conference on Friday that agriculture was not only about food production but also concerns energy.

She said that there was need for the government to look at the biofuels policy to ensure that surplus maize was channeled to provision of energy.

The Minister also said the government was still looking for additional export markets for farmers who are expecting their largest crop of the grain since the record 14.42 million tonnes, reaped in the 1981/82 season.

REUTERS/Williams/Yinka