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Challenging the food vs. fuel dilemma: Genealogical analysis of the biofuel discourse pursued by international organizations

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  • Kuchler, Magdalena
  • Linnér, Björn-Ola

Abstract

This paper looks critically at how food and agriculture-, energy security-, and climate change-oriented international organizations have consolidated and modified the biofuel discourse in relation to the agricultural system. Using Foucault-based genealogical analysis of discursive formations, the paper traces the last 20years of institutions’ biofuel debate in relation to rural production. We find that the prevalent motive is an aspiration to combine the agriculture and energy markets into one, which prompts structural changes and challenges in the rural sector. This has implications for the future role and shape of global agriculture and – contrary to the food vs. fuel perspective – calls for re-conceptualizing the biofuel debate as the food vs. food dilemma.

Suggested Citation

  • Kuchler, Magdalena & Linnér, Björn-Ola, 2012. "Challenging the food vs. fuel dilemma: Genealogical analysis of the biofuel discourse pursued by international organizations," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 581-588.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:37:y:2012:i:5:p:581-588
    DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2012.06.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cohen, Marc J. & Tirado, Cristina & Aberman, Noora-Lisa & Thompson, Brian, 2008. "Impact of climate change and bioenergy on nutrition," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number Climate:2008.
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    3. Erwan Hermawan & Adiarso Adiarso & Sigit Setiadi & Dudi Hidayat, 2023. "Strategy for the implementation of sustainable green fuels in Indonesia," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(1), pages 103-139.
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    7. Tse, H. & Leung, C.W. & Cheung, C.S., 2015. "Investigation on the combustion characteristics and particulate emissions from a diesel engine fueled with diesel-biodiesel-ethanol blends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 343-350.
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    12. Sanjid, A. & Masjuki, H.H. & Kalam, M.A. & Rahman, S.M. Ashrafur & Abedin, M.J. & Palash, S.M., 2013. "Impact of palm, mustard, waste cooking oil and Calophyllum inophyllum biofuels on performance and emission of CI engine," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 664-682.
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    14. Sarah Hitchner & John Schelhas & J. Peter Brosius, 2017. "“Even our Dairy Queen shut down”: Risk and resilience in bioenergy development in forest-dependent communities in the US South," Economic Anthropology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 4(2), pages 186-199, June.
    15. Abubakari Ahmed & Eric Dompreh & Alexandros Gasparatos, 2019. "Human wellbeing outcomes of involvement in industrial crop production: Evidence from sugarcane, oil palm and jatropha sites in Ghana," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-33, April.
    16. Nuppenau, Ernst-August, 2015. "Mitigation of Large-Scale Biofuel Expansion with Smallholder Conflict: Modelling of Land Use Dynamics using Control Theory for Policy Design to Sustain Food Security and Improve Productivity," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 225669, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    17. Ahmed, Abubakari & Campion, Benjamin Betey & Gasparatos, Alexandros, 2017. "Biofuel development in Ghana: policies of expansion and drivers of failure in the jatropha sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 133-149.
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