In the past several years the changing world energy situation has generated intense discussion about biofuels, much of it promising a source of environmentally friendly energy that would also be a boon to the world's farmers. At the same time, skeptics argue that biofuel production will threaten food supplies for the poor while failing to achieve many of its alleged environmental benefits. IFPRI is examining the role of biofuels in global energy and food markets, with a focus on the impact on the poor.

IFPRI on Bioenergy

• Biofuels, Poverty, and Growth: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis of Mozambique
  October 2008. Channing Arndt, Rui Benfica, Finn Tarp, James Thurlow, and Rafael Uaiene. IFPRI Discussion Paper.

• Biofuels, International Food Prices, and the Poor
  June 12, 2008. Joachim von Braun. Testimony before the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

• Biofuels and Grain Prices: Impacts and Policy Responses
  May 7, 2008. Mark W. Rosegrant. Testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  Watch on YouTube

• High Food Prices: The What, Who, and How of Proposed Policy Actions
  May 2008. Joachim von Braun with Akhter Ahmed, Kwadwo Asenso-Okyere, Shenggen Fan, Ashok Gulati, John Hoddinott, Rajul Pandya-Lorch, Mark W. Rosegrant, Marie Ruel, Maximo Torero, Teunis van Rheenen, and Klaus von Grebmer. Policy Brief.

• Food Prices, Biofuels, and Climate Change
  February 2008. Joachim von Braun, Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute

• When Food Makes Fuel: The Promises and Challenges of Biofuels
  2007 Joachim von Braun
  Keynote address at the Crawford Fund Annual Conference, August 15 2007.
  Powerpoint presentation (PDF format)

• Biofuels and the Poor: Finding the Win-Wins
  July 2007. Joachim von Braun. Presentation at International Conference on Biofuels, Brussels, Belgium, July 5-6, 2007