Biofuel Investments in Africa: Lessons for South Africa. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schultz, Cecilia; van Riet, Gideon
• Is Part Of: South African review of sociology. Volume 49:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: biofuel -- land -- rural livelihoods -- Africa -- South Africa; Sociology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; South Africa -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Sociology -- South Africa -- Periodicals; Social conditions; Sociology; South Africa; Periodicals; 301.096805
• DOI: 10.1080/21528586.2018.1463558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2152-8586

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The South African biofuel sector has developed slowly compared to other African contexts, despite the existence of biofuel production policy frameworks. In this article, the authors review the literature on agricultural reform and rural livelihoods in South Africa and analyse case studies from elsewhere in Africa in an attempt to draw lessons for South Africa. They argue that biofuel production does potentially threaten certain rural livelihood strategies. Interventions aimed at using land more "efficiently" risk uprooting complex livelihood strategies developed over many years to cope with colonialism, apartheid and marginalisation in general.