Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource - UNEP

GHG Emission Reduction Potential 184
Kenaf uses carbon dioxide as the raw material in its development, a
concurrent cause of the greenhouse effect, and during its development it
releases into the environment a considerable quantity of oxygen, a vital
element for our existence and our eco-system.
Economic instruments for overcoming barriers
From 1982 to 2002 in the EU, more than DM 100 million in subsidies was
directed towards the development of harvesting and processing technologies
of fiber production.
Advantages to Developing Countries 185
Kenaf reaps a wide range of other rewards for farmers, their families, and
their communities. It's a hardy crop, resistant to most pests and diseases, and
able to stand up under widely varying degrees of weather. It crowds out
weeds, which limits the need for herbicide applications. Its leaves are plowed
back into the earth to recycle nitrogen and other nutrients, reducing the need
for heavy chemical fertilization. It's ideal for rotation with legumes, corn,
sorghum, and other food crops, a practice that maintains soil quality,
maximizes harvest yields, and prevents the spread of root-knot nematodes,
one of the principal threats to kenaf's health.
Especially in uncertain economic times, when cash-strapped farmers often
must let parcels of land lie fallow because of food surpluses dumped on the
world market, kenaf's inclusion in a crop-rotation scheme can diversify income
sources, increasing financial security.
Disadvantages for Developing Countries
As with all enterprises, however, the emerging kenaf industry faces
environmental challenges. Because kenaf requires about as much irrigation
water as cotton, its cultivation in drier regions of the U.S., including southern
California and the Southwest, could impact wildlife and vegetation. Care will
be needed to ensure that kenaf fields are sited in areas with ample rainfall,
such as the Southeast, and that they leave a plentiful supply of water for
native species and habitats.
Example of Real Life Applications
Level of Use
Name of Project Kenaf Eco Fibers Italy S.p.A.
Location
Italy
Commercial
184 http://www.newuses.org/pdf/nova-study-full.pdf
185 http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/eikena2.htm
333