Suchergebnisse

Rural communities in the North West Province of South Africa are among the poorest in the world with an average income of less than ZAR 8.75 (EU 0.875) per day. The South African government has committed itself to upliftment of these communities through job creation and joining of the first and second economies of the country. The Thusanang community project concept was initiated to stimulate job creation and skills development in our local communities through biofuels production. Water is scares in the North West Province with less than 200 mm of rain annually. Crops that do not threaten food security and require little water for energy production is thus favored for use as ethanol feedstock in this area. Sugar beet had been used as a source for sugar production for some time, but its development as a large scale agricultural crop in South Africa has been limited by the large production of sugarcane in tropical areas. Recent trials on tropical sugar beet production in the Eastern Cape and North Western regions of South Africa has shown promise for large scale production of tropical sugar beet for ethanol production. Sweetstem sorghum has attracted the attention of the biofuels world because of the potential of producing both food and ethanol in a single crop. The picture is not that simple though, since the plants usually contain large amounts of fermentable sugar during the flowering period, when the grains for food have not yet been formed, and then the sugar content steadily declines towards the time for harvesting of the grain. A trade­off thus needs to be found between food and energy production. The influence of various process parameters such as pH, initial sugar concentration, yeast concentration and nutrient addition on the ethanol yield obtained from sweet stem sorghum juice and tropical sugar beet juice was studied and the results is reported in this paper. The initial Brix index of the tropical sugar beet used was 21.8 wt% and 40.1wt% for the tropical sugar beet juice and the sweetstem sorghum juice respectively. All juice was fermented without prior filtering or sterilization. The highest initial sugar content was observed for the USA1 sweetstem sorghum cultivar harvested at 3 months (only energy production) and for the Hunni green sweetstem sorghum cultivar harvested at 6 months (food and energy production)

Sorgum is currently a commodity that is a government program in food diversification in Indonesia because it includes the most potential as a substitution of rice. In addition to its equivalent nutritional content of rice also has the advantage of being able to grow in a hot environment, less fertile, and limited water and even sandy land (Yanuwar, 2002, Sirrapa, 2003). Sorgum is needed by consumers with special needs other than because glutenous free food, low glycemic index (Sungkono et al., 2009). The development of the sorghum plant is the main alternative that needs to be pursued to meet the increasing demand for food while fertile land is decreasing. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of composite fertilizer dosage on growth and Sorgum yield on Vertisol soil. This study used a Completely Randomized Block Design (RAKL) with 6 fertilizer doses (0, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120kg / ha NPK Ponska). This research was conducted on Vertisol soil in Sukoharjo regency. The results showed that the dose of Composite fertilizer had significant effect on growth and yield and Sorgum sugar level, but did not affect the weight of 1000 seeds. Composite Dosage 60 kg / ha is the highest dose that can be given to Vertisol Sukoharjo soil to increase the highest yield of Sorgum seed.

Sweet sorghum and energy cane (high fiber cane) are potential crops for conversion into fuels and chemicals due to their low agricultural input requirements, potentially high fiber content and processing similarities with established sugarcane crops. A conceptual approach to a biorefinery producing fuels and chemicals from sweet sorghum and energy cane is proposed. The front-end of the plant processes 10,000 t/d of feedstock to extract convertible sugars by milling and concentrate them into storable syrups. The latter can be processed into gasoline, jet fuel and isoprene using proprietary technologies. The fiber remaining after extraction, called bagasse, is used in the boilers of the front-end plant to provide steam and power for entire facility and to produce additional second generation sugars by pretreatment and hydrolysis in a lignocellulosic conversion plant. Material and energy balances for the front-end plant were calculated using SugarsTM software. Results show that for the selected variety of energy cane, up to 46% of bagasse is available for further lignocellulosic conversion resulting in production of additional 33.6% of sugars. In this case, however, surplus electricity production is reduced by 86%. Calculations for sweet sorghum follow the same trend. Results show that a 13% reduction in fiber content by processing sweet sorghum instead of energy cane, reduces power export by 71% and second generation sugars by 40%.

The environment of a sugar factory is conducive to the propagation of microbes that are introduced with the harvested crop. Further introductions are made from the machinery surfaces and water during processing. Each microbe type has a preferred range of temperature and water activity, so a factory may have different populations in different areas. It is important to detect microbial presence so appropriate control measures can be taken, and to conserve expenses when treatment is not needed. The most ideal detection methods in a factory will yield accurate results quickly and inexpensively. A mannitol detection method has been developed for the sugarcane industry, and subsequently applied to sweet sorghum and sugar beet. Conversion of sugar crop byproducts, such as bagasse, are a potential new value stream. An analysis was conducted to determine whether environmental conditions and the presence of microbes in bagasse affects the chemical composition, and subsequent application for novel uses. Fuel value was found to be negatively affected when bagasse was left uncovered and exposed to sun and rain. The fuel characteristics were maintained. Bagasse was also successfully pelletized and converted to biochar for stable storage and transport.

Bioenergy and biofuels are very important in today's energy policy. These kinds of energy resources have several advantages against fossil fuels. Environmental protection is a cardinal point of widespreading these technologies but the economic considerations are important as well. In order to improve the rate of the renewable energy in the energy consumption, the European Union settled down a program which determines a minimum ratio of renewable energy in the energy consumption for each member country of the EU. To fulfil the requirements bioenergy and biofuels should be produced. This production procedure needs adequate stocks which are commonly agricultural products.One of the promising stocks is sorghum. This plant fits for bioethanol production due to its juice content being rich in sugar. In this study six sweet sorghum hybrids, two sudangrass hybrids and a sudangrass variety have been evaluated to determine their theorical ethanol production capacity.On the score of the results of the year 2009 it can be set that sudangrasses have a lower theorical ethanol capacity than sweet sorghums have. In the case of sweet sorghums 1860.29–2615.47 l ha-1 ethanol yields had been calculated, while the sudangrasses had only 622.96–801.03 l ha-1. After that throughout three years (2011–2013) the sweet sorghum hybrids have been evaluated in order to determine the fluctuations of the ethanol production capacity caused by the impact of the years. As a result 2425.44–4043.6 l ha-1 theorical ethanol capacities have been calculated, which means that sweet sorghums can be an adequate stock to produce bioethanol.

The use of biofuels helps to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and therefore decreases CO2 emission. Ethanol mixed with gasoline in mandatory percentages has been used in many countries. However, production of ethanol mainly depends on food crops, commonly associated with problems such as governmental policies and social controversies. Sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is one of the most potential and appropriate alternative crops for biofuel production because of its high biomass and sugar content, strong tolerance to environmental stress conditions and diseases, and wide adaptability to various soils and climates. The aim of this study was to select prospective varieties of sweet sorghum, optimum sowing times and densities to achieve high yields of ethanol production and to establish stable operational conditions in cultivating this crop. The summer-autumn cropping season combined with the sowing densities of 8.3–10.9 plant m−2 obtained the highest ethanol yield. Among cultivated locations, the soil with pH of 5.5 and contents of Al and Zn of 39.4 and 0.6 g kg−1, respectively, was the best condition to have an ethanol yield > ; 5000 L ha−1. The pH ≥ 6.0 may be responsible for the significant reduction of zinc content in soils, which decreases both biomass of sweet sorghum and ethanol yield, while contents of N, P, K, organic carbon (OC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC), and Fe likely play no role. The cultivar 4A was the preferred candidate for ethanol production and resistant to pests and diseases, especially cut worm (Agrotis spp.).

Sweet sorghum processing and production in the Philippines still at its infancy stage in the country. It was introduced in Ilocos Norte by Dr. Heraldo H. Layoen, Vice President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in 2005. The crop has been found to be highly efficient in producing fuel in other countries like Indonesia, Tanzania, and USA. Other products that can be produced from the sweet sorghum crop are molasses, animal feeds, fertilizer, flour, syrup, vinegar, juice, liquor, and sugar. BAPAMIN Enterprise, (BAPAMIN) is the sole enterprise which has engaged in sweet sorghum production and marketing of products made from the crop in the country. BAPAMIN was established in 2009 as the marketing arm of the BAPAMIN Farmer?s Cooperative (BFC), a group of farmers into planting and growing of sweet sorghum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Both the enterprise and cooperative ids headed by Engr. Antonio Arcangel. BAPAMIN and his wife, Doris who are co-managing the company. It was observed that the enterprise was encountering difficulty in taking off even it has existing for seven years already. Thus, this research was conducted to draw up a strategic plan that would help make BIPAMIN Enterprise a viable social enterprise. The specific objectives of the research are to: 1) Present and discuss a noteworthy business issue faced by BAPAMIN Enterprise, which has company wide implications. 2) Evaluate the BAPAMIN sweet sorghum business model in terms of its various business functions. 3) Analyze the opportunities, threats and the critical strategic and operational issue(s) facing the venture 4) recommend a strategic plan and operational options for BAPAMIN Enterprise to become viable. Primary and secondary data were used to gather information. Interviews were conducted with Engr. And Ms. Arcangel as well as key informants from BAPAMIN Enterprise. Technical and socio-economic experts from MMSU and government agencies like the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)-DOST DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research were also interviewed. Secondary data on sweet sorghum were gathered from various publications as well as internet sources. The collected data were analyzed using Business Model Canvas, Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies Self-Rating Analysis, Internal Factor Evaluation, Porters Five Forces Model, Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis, and the Qualitative Strategic Planning (QSPM) Matrix. It was learned through the Business Model Canvas that there were eight (8) participants in BAPAMIN?s business model: the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for funding the research and some equipment the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for research and development Bapamin Farmers? Cooperative (BFC) for the production of raw materials and university, outlets, and institutions as the distribution channels. These participants were connected to one another and the efficiency of BAPAMIN depended on its linkages with the other components of the business model. Based on the interview with the entrepreneur, the vision for BAPAMIN is to be ?the pioneer in the propagation and processing of sweet sorghum in the country and the main advocate for developing high value products from sweet sorghum?. On the other hand, the mission of BAPAMIN is ?to campaign for mass planting of sweet sorghum as an alternative crop, address the goal of food sufficiency in the country and promote and educate the farmers on the best agricultural and cultural management practices for the adoption and propagation of sweet sorghum to consequently improve the financial condition of the farmers?. An examination of BAPAMIN?s vision and mission revealed that the mission statement only consisted of 4 out of 9 elements. Thus, improvements in both the mission and vision statements were suggested. BAPAMINS business functions were also presented in the study. The production and operations activities to the enterprise were not programmed and intermittent as they produced different products which were being introduced to the market and also displayed in trade exhibits. It was analyzed that then current equipment was still not enough to achieve the target production volume. In terms of raw materials supply, the enterprise bought grains from the BFC at Php 13/kg and the juice at Php 3/liter. Generally, the harvest were much higher during the dry season that the wet season. The enterprise as of the time of the study employed 4 full time and 210 seasonal workers because processing operations in the company took place only during harvest season. The marketing aspects of the enterprise were assessed to be relatively weak as the firm does not employ any marketing strategy. A closer look at the financial aspects of BAPAMIN revealed that the enterprise yielded an acceptable amount of profit but a part of it was plowed back for research and development of the sweet sorghum crop. Through the problem flowchart, it was seen that there were factors hindering BAPAMIN to becoming a true social enterprise. The owner was more focused on his advocacy of promoting sweet sorghum production and processing in the country to uplift the situation of farmers rather than focus on the profitability of the business itself. He overlooked the fact that BAPAMIN must first a profitable enterprise which is a must for any social enterprise. The EFE score derived for BAPAMIN was 2.53 which means the enterprise was only a little above the average in its effort to pursue strategies that capitalized on external opportunities and avoid threats on the other hand, the IFE score was 2.45 which implies that the enterprise is below average in terms of its overall internal strength. There was only one alternative formulated from the SWOT and this is the owner should exert more aggressive efforts in showcasing BAPAMIN as a model social enterprise. To achieve this, it must align its strategies to consumer preferences expose its customers to the various aspects of its business model through field and plant tours, and come up with a compelling product labeling and appealing packaging which would reflect the social enterprise dimension of the business.

Sweet sorghum processing and production in the Philippines still at its infancy stage in the country. It was introduced in Ilocos Norte by Dr. Heraldo H. Layoen, Vice President of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in 2005. The crop has been found to be highly efficient in producing fuel in other countries like Indonesia, Tanzania, and USA. Other products that can be produced from the sweet sorghum crop are molasses, animal feeds, fertilizer, flour, syrup, vinegar, juice, liquor, and sugar. BAPAMIN Enterprise, (BAPAMIN) is the sole enterprise which has engaged in sweet sorghum production and marketing of products made from the crop in the country. BAPAMIN was established in 2009 as the marketing arm of the BAPAMIN Farmer?s Cooperative (BFC), a group of farmers into planting and growing of sweet sorghum in Batac, Ilocos Norte. Both the enterprise and cooperative ids headed by Engr. Antonio Arcangel. BAPAMIN and his wife, Doris who are co-managing the company. It was observed that the enterprise was encountering difficulty in taking off even it has existing for seven years already. Thus, this research was conducted to draw up a strategic plan that would help make BIPAMIN Enterprise a viable social enterprise. The specific objectives of the research are to: 1) Present and discuss a noteworthy business issue faced by BAPAMIN Enterprise, which has company wide implications. 2) Evaluate the BAPAMIN sweet sorghum business model in terms of its various business functions. 3) Analyze the opportunities, threats and the critical strategic and operational issue(s) facing the venture 4) recommend a strategic plan and operational options for BAPAMIN Enterprise to become viable. Primary and secondary data were used to gather information. Interviews were conducted with Engr. And Ms. Arcangel as well as key informants from BAPAMIN Enterprise. Technical and socio-economic experts from MMSU and government agencies like the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)-DOST DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research were also interviewed. Secondary data on sweet sorghum were gathered from various publications as well as internet sources. The collected data were analyzed using Business Model Canvas, Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies Self-Rating Analysis, Internal Factor Evaluation, Porters Five Forces Model, Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Analysis, and the Qualitative Strategic Planning (QSPM) Matrix. It was learned through the Business Model Canvas that there were eight (8) participants in BAPAMIN?s business model: the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) for funding the research and some equipment the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for research and development Bapamin Farmers? Cooperative (BFC) for the production of raw materials and university, outlets, and institutions as the distribution channels. These participants were connected to one another and the efficiency of BAPAMIN depended on its linkages with the other components of the business model. Based on the interview with the entrepreneur, the vision for BAPAMIN is to be ?the pioneer in the propagation and processing of sweet sorghum in the country and the main advocate for developing high value products from sweet sorghum?. On the other hand, the mission of BAPAMIN is ?to campaign for mass planting of sweet sorghum as an alternative crop, address the goal of food sufficiency in the country and promote and educate the farmers on the best agricultural and cultural management practices for the adoption and propagation of sweet sorghum to consequently improve the financial condition of the farmers?. An examination of BAPAMIN?s vision and mission revealed that the mission statement only consisted of 4 out of 9 elements. Thus, improvements in both the mission and vision statements were suggested. BAPAMINS business functions were also presented in the study. The production and operations activities to the enterprise were not programmed and intermittent as they produced different products which were being introduced to the market and also displayed in trade exhibits. It was analyzed that then current equipment was still not enough to achieve the target production volume. In terms of raw materials supply, the enterprise bought grains from the BFC at Php 13/kg and the juice at Php 3/liter. Generally, the harvest were much higher during the dry season that the wet season. The enterprise as of the time of the study employed 4 full time and 210 seasonal workers because processing operations in the company took place only during harvest season. The marketing aspects of the enterprise were assessed to be relatively weak as the firm does not employ any marketing strategy. A closer look at the financial aspects of BAPAMIN revealed that the enterprise yielded an acceptable amount of profit but a part of it was plowed back for research and development of the sweet sorghum crop. Through the problem flowchart, it was seen that there were factors hindering BAPAMIN to becoming a true social enterprise. The owner was more focused on his advocacy of promoting sweet sorghum production and processing in the country to uplift the situation of farmers rather than focus on the profitability of the business itself. He overlooked the fact that BAPAMIN must first a profitable enterprise which is a must for any social enterprise. The EFE score derived for BAPAMIN was 2.53 which means the enterprise was only a little above the average in its effort to pursue strategies that capitalized on external opportunities and avoid threats on the other hand, the IFE score was 2.45 which implies that the enterprise is below average in terms of its overall internal strength. There was only one alternative formulated from the SWOT and this is the owner should exert more aggressive efforts in showcasing BAPAMIN as a model social enterprise. To achieve this, it must align its strategies to consumer preferences expose its customers to the various aspects of its business model through field and plant tours, and come up with a compelling product labeling and appealing packaging which would reflect the social enterprise dimension of the business.

Brazil has edaphoclimatic conditions to produce a diversity of crops with energetic potential. Thus, the study aims to correlate the technological parameters of biomasses suitable for fermentation, quantify metabolites produced by yeast FT-858, as well as assess the yield and fermentative efficiency for bioethanol production. It was performed studies of technological qualities of the biomasses and fermentative capacity test. For metabolites production, the yeast FT-858 was pre-grown in liquid medium (YPD 2%), recovered and inoculated in the substrates, and aliquots were collected for analysis of ethanol concentration by gas chromatography and glycerol accumulation by enzymatic kit of triglycerides. The yield and fermentative efficiency were assessed by consumption of sugar using DNS method, and ethanol density using digital densimeter. According to the results, the yeast presented better performance in saccharine sorghum, which also presented more expressive values of fermentative efficiency and yield. Saccharine sorghum has great bioenergetic potential and can be used as complement to sugarcane to increase ethanol production.

19 28 13 1 ; S ; [EN] The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of wheat flour substitution with toasted corn, quinoa, and sorghum flours on the overall perception and texture of typical Spanish small cakes named madeleine. In order to evaluate these characteristics, a texture profile analysis (TPA) and a sensory analysis were carried out. TPA showed that the replacement of wheat flour by sorghum flour did not affect significantly texture parameters of cakes. Hedonic sensory tests were also conducted revealing that the cake prepared with sorghum flour was highly appreciated by the consumers as it got scores similar to traditional cakes made with wheat flour. Casas Moreno, MDM.; Barreto Palacios, VJ.; González Carrascosa, R.; Iborra Bernad, MDC.; Andrés Bello, MD.; Martínez Monzó, J.; García-Segovia, P. (2015). Evaluation of Textural and Sensory Properties on Typical Spanish Small Cakes Designed Using Alternative Flours. Journal of Culinary Science and Technology. 13(1):19-28. doi:10.1080/15428052.2014.952475 Baldwin, R. R., Baldry, R. P., & Johansen, R. G. (1972). Fat systems for bakery products. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 49(8), 473-477. doi:10.1007/bf02582482 Beleia, A., Miller, R. A., & Hoseney, R. C. (1996). Starch Gelatinization in Sugar Solutions. Starch - Starke, 48(7-8), 259-262. doi:10.1002/star.19960480705 Brannan, G. L., Setser, C. S., Kemp, K. E., Seib, P. A., & Roozeboom, K. (2001). Sensory Characteristics of Grain Sorghum Hybrids with Potential for Use in Human Food. Cereal Chemistry Journal, 78(6), 693-700. doi:10.1094/cchem.2001.78.6.693 Cauvain, S. P., & Young, L. S. (Eds.). (2006). Baked Products. doi:10.1002/9780470995907 Chieh, C. (s. f.). Water. Bakery Products, 211-232. doi:10.1002/9780470277553.ch11 Conforti, F. D. (s. f.). Cake Manufacture. Bakery Products, 393-410. doi:10.1002/9780470277553.ch22 Ghotra, B. S., Dyal, S. D., & Narine, S. S. (2002). Lipid shortenings: a review. Food Research International, 35(10), 1015-1048. ...

Chapter 1: Domestication and Localization of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa -- Chapter 2:Effect of Shea Fruit Sugar Content on Shea Butter Quality -- Chapter 3: Some Theoretical and Policy Issues and Green Economy -- Chapter 4: Climate Change and Rapidly Evolving Pests and Diseases in South Africa -- Chapter 5: Ensuring Food and Nutrition Security: Challenges of Land Degradation and Climate Change in Southern Nigeria -- Chapter 6: Global Warming and Carbon Sequestration in Africa's Forests -- Chapter 7: The Potential of Acacia Seyal Agro Forestry Species with Emphasis on its Allelopathic Effecton Sorghum -- Chapter 8: Assessment of Wood and Fuel Utilization and Efficiency of Cooking Stoves in Likia, Njoro Subcounty, Kenya -- Chapter 9: Potential of Mine Waste Rock to Generate Acid Mine Drainage -- Chapter 10: Analysis of Agricultural Production Options for Sustaining Uluguru Mountain's Natural Resource Base -- Chapter 11: Promoting Jatropha Agriculture for Sustainable Soil Capital Improvement -- Chapter 12: Medicinal Plants Trade in Africa: Policy Directions -- Chapter 13: The Potential of Natural Resources in Influencing the Change Towards new Governance and Policy Strategies

The following reports delineate the most recent experiences and insights gleaned by Samuel Totten, a scholar of genocide studies based in the United States, as he traveled up into the war-torn Nuba Mountains in Sudan during December 2014 and April–May 2015. During the course of both trips, accompanied by an interpreter and a driver, both from the Nuba Mountains, he served as a witness to the ongoing aerial attacks by the government of Sudan against Nuba civilians (in their villages, on their farms, in open marketplaces, in their schools, and in places of worship) and delivered food (sorghum, lentils, dried beans, salt, sugar, and cooking oil) to those Nuba in the most dire need. An untold number of Nuba have been forced out of their villages and off their farms due to the aerial bombings, and without access to their farms and stores of food, many, particularly those residing in the remotest regions, are experiencing everything from malnutrition to severe malnutrition to starvation.

International audience ; This study assesses crop residues in the EU from major crops using empirical models to predict crop residues from yield statistics; furthermore it analyses the inter‐annual variability of those estimates over the period 1998‐2015, identifying its main drivers across Europe. The models were constructed based on an exhaustive collection of experimental data from scientific papers for the crops: wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, rice, maize, sorghum, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, potato and sugarbeet. We discuss the assumptions on the relationship between yield and the harvest index, adopted by previous studies, to interpret the experimental data, quantify the uncertainties of these models, and establish the premises to implement them at regional scale –i.e NUTS level 3– within the EU. To cope this, we created a consolidated sub‐national statistical data along with an algorithm able to aggregate (figures are provided at country level) and disaggregate (production at 25 km grid is provided as supplementary material) estimates. The total lignocellulosic biomass production in the EU28 over the review period, according to our models, is 419 Mt, from which wheat is the major contributor (155 Mt). Our results show that maize and rapeseed are the two crops with the highest residue yield, respectively 8.9 and 8.6 t ha‐1. The spatial analysis revealed that these three crops, which, according to our results, are feedstocks highly suitable a priori for second generation biofuels in the EU and are unevenly distributed across Europe. Weather fluctuation was identified as the major driver in residue production from cereals, while, in the case of starch crops and oilseeds – which are predominant in northern Europe – corresponded to the marked production trend likely influenced by the agricultural policies and agro‐management over the review period. Additionally, our study highlights the limitation of such empirical models in quantifying lignocellulosic biomass in the EU.

International audience ; This study assesses crop residues in the EU from major crops using empirical models to predict crop residues from yield statistics; furthermore it analyses the inter‐annual variability of those estimates over the period 1998‐2015, identifying its main drivers across Europe. The models were constructed based on an exhaustive collection of experimental data from scientific papers for the crops: wheat, barley, rye, oats, triticale, rice, maize, sorghum, rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, potato and sugarbeet. We discuss the assumptions on the relationship between yield and the harvest index, adopted by previous studies, to interpret the experimental data, quantify the uncertainties of these models, and establish the premises to implement them at regional scale –i.e NUTS level 3– within the EU. To cope this, we created a consolidated sub‐national statistical data along with an algorithm able to aggregate (figures are provided at country level) and disaggregate (production at 25 km grid is provided as supplementary material) estimates. The total lignocellulosic biomass production in the EU28 over the review period, according to our models, is 419 Mt, from which wheat is the major contributor (155 Mt). Our results show that maize and rapeseed are the two crops with the highest residue yield, respectively 8.9 and 8.6 t ha‐1. The spatial analysis revealed that these three crops, which, according to our results, are feedstocks highly suitable a priori for second generation biofuels in the EU and are unevenly distributed across Europe. Weather fluctuation was identified as the major driver in residue production from cereals, while, in the case of starch crops and oilseeds – which are predominant in northern Europe – corresponded to the marked production trend likely influenced by the agricultural policies and agro‐management over the review period. Additionally, our study highlights the limitation of such empirical models in quantifying lignocellulosic biomass in the EU.

A position paper on agricultural technology for rural farming in Zimbabwe. ; The south east lowveld of Zimbabwe falls under Natural Region V. It is characterized by low and erratic rainfall which averages 400-500 mm per annum. Differences in crop production in the region are striking. Individual, parastatal estate and company estate commercial farms achieve medium to good yields of cotton, wheat, sugar cane and horticultural crops. On the other hand, are communal areas where poor yields of maize, cotton and sorghum are common. The differences between the two sectors is due to water availability, which is critical to crop production in this semi-arid part of Zimbabwe. Communal farmers mostly grow their crops rainfed as they did not benefit from the massive (mostly government) investments in irrigation infrastructure as happened in the commercial farming sector (see Mlambo and Pangeti, 1996). Good agricultural seasons occur about twice in every five years. Such is the fate of Ndowoyo Communal lands in the Save Valley where the naturally rich vertisol cannot guarantee good agricultural production. ; Special thanks are due to the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC), The Hague, for providing financial support towards the hosting of the workshop upon which this book is based.