In the DR of Congo, 778,000 sq kms of abandoned lands suitable for biodiesel feedstock cultivation

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, a UN economist said that the widespread abandonment of land following years of civil war provides untouched land highly suitable to biodiesel feedstock cultivation.

The economist noted that more than 778,000 square kilometers are available and suitable for oil palm cultivation without reducing existing food production lands. However, it was noted that the $3.33 per ton of carbon offset proposed for forest conservation, that it may be more profitable under upcoming carbon trading regulations to conserve the existing forest lands.

In the neighboring Republic of the Congo, Brazil has agreed with Congo Republic to provide training, technology and financing for sugar ethanol and palm oil biodiesel production. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that Africa had sufficient land to produce biofuel and that using that land for biofuels would alleviate energy concerns in the continent.

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