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Assessing the food vs. fuel issue: An agent-based simulation

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  • Brown, Bijon
  • Schoney, Richard
  • Nolan, James

Abstract

Energy security and environmental concerns are critical issues for North America. The development of the bio-fuel industry has given grain farmers another crop option. Trends towards renewable fuels could also put fuel production at odds with traditional food agriculture, a situation referred to as the “food vs. fuel” debate. This research models profit maximizing farm crop choices as energy crops become a crop option. We develop a simulation to estimate the oil price level where farmers would switch from the production of grain for food over to bio-energy crops. We also investigate consequences associated with this process on the elevator industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, Bijon & Schoney, Richard & Nolan, James, 2021. "Assessing the food vs. fuel issue: An agent-based simulation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:159:y:2021:i:c:s0301421521004237
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112553
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    Keywords

    Agriculture; Biofuel; Simulation;
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