foodversusfuel
Food-versus-fuel refers to the competition between using agricultural crops and feedstocks for food and feed versus converting them into energy, notably biofuels. The concept is central to debates about whether policies that promote biofuels divert crops from consumption, influence agricultural markets, and affect food security.
Historically, biofuel programs have relied on staple crops such as maize and sugarcane. In the United States,
Evidence on price effects is mixed and context-dependent. Some studies find modest linkages between biofuel mandates
Environmental analyses of biofuels vary by feedstock and technology, with concerns about land-use change, water use,
Policy responses include supporting second-generation biofuels from non-food feedstocks, cellulosic and algae-based fuels, as well as
See also: biofuels, food security, land use, sustainable energy.