Zambian government wants cassava ethanol production in every province

In Zambia, the Lusaka Times newspaper reports the government plans to start building cassava-based ethanol plants in provincial centers from next year to facilitate local ethanol blending. Corn had been discussed as a potential feedstock but was later discarded due to food security concerns. The first $40 million, 7-million-liter fuel depot in Kasenengwa District was commissioned last week. Sunbird Bioenergy is preparing to start commercial ethanol production in the country using cassava grown by small-scale farmers.