POTENTIAL OUTCOMES OF CASSAVA AND JATROPHA FARMERS GROWING ENERGY CROPS FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY

1.1 Introduction

Biotechnology is the integrated use of biochemistry, microbiology, and engineering sciences in order to achieve technological (industrial) application of the capabilities of micro-organisms, cultured tissue cells. Bio-technology is the use of living things especially cells and bacteria for production of various products for benefiting human beings. It is a combination of various technologies, applied together to living cells, including not only biology, but also subjects like mathematics, physics, chemistry and engineering. Its application ranges from agriculture to industry, medicine, nutrition, environmental conservation, Cell Biology, making it one of the fastest growing fields. Biotechnology is to modify genetic structure in animals and plants to improve them in desired way for getting beneficial products.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

People were using biotechnology techniques thousands years before but they did not named their working field as biotechnology. The name biotechnology was given by Hungarian engineer Karoly Ereky in 1919 to describe a technology based on converting raw materials into a more useful product. The Second World War became a major impediment in scientific discoveries. After the end of the second world war some, very crucial discoveries were reported, which paved the path for modern biotechnology and to its current status. Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, utilization of less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

Isoun (2005) in an international conference said that it is estimated that by 2020, fifty percent of the global economy would be bio-based. Hence, any economy that does not align itself economically with biotechnology may miss out of the rewards of yet another revolution. Considering the often very high costs of conventional energy supply such as kerosene, charcoal and fuel wood worldwide, scientific interests and efforts in researching in to renewable technologies therefore becomes very essential (Adelekan, 2009). Another reason for its relevance is said that the rampant use of fire wood for domestic and industrial heating in low income countries invariably necessitates the destruction of forests which is harmful to the environment (Adelekan, 2009).

Biotechnology has its applications in four major areas which includes; health care (medical), crop production and agriculture, environment and non-food (industrial) uses of crops and other products, examples are; biodegraded plastics and bio-fuels. One of the clear examples of biotechnology in the health sector is the home pregnancy test used by most women. Certain types of cancer such as the ovarian and prostate cancer can now rely on biotechnology-based tests for quick diagnosis thus, eliminating the need for expensive surgeries. These tests are not only cheaper, but are more accurate and quicker than other tests prior to the use of biotechnology.

Environmental hazards such as oil spills from oil tankers on land surfaces as well as in seas which not only kill aquatic flora and fauna by destroying the habitat, but also create health problems to those living around can now be effectively removed with biotechnology. Traditionally, chemical dispersants was used to remedy the situation but they proved to be toxic in nature and persisted in the environment for longer periods.

The pseudomonas produces a glycolipid emulsifier which reduces the surface tension of the oil-water interface and helps remove the oil. In the industrial or non-food use of crops for biotechnology, the rising demand for biofuels is expected to be good news especially in the United States farming industry to rapidly increase its corn and soybeans supply – the main inputs into biofuels by developing genetically modified seeds which are resistant to pests and drought, boosting farm productivity. Biotechnology therefore plays a crucial role in ensuring that biofuels production targets are met (The Procession List, 2010). Biofuels are gradually gaining increased public and scientific attention and its driven by factors such as oil price spikes, the need for increased energy security, concern over green house gas emissions from fossil fuels and government subsidies. The production of these biofuels entail the fermentation of sugars derived from crops such as wheat, corn, sugarcane, cassava or from feed stock such as animal fats, vegetable oils, jatropha, cotton seed, millet sunflower, palm oil, soybeans. Collectively, such crops are called energy crops.

Energy crops are plants which are cultivated for the purpose of producing (non-food) energy. They are grown as a low cost and low maintenance harvest used to make biofuels or combusted for its energy content to generate heat or electricity. They are used for firing power plants either alone or co-fired with other fuels. As at 2006, the fastest growing sector of the German bio-farming was in the area of “renewable energy crops”, on nearly 500,000 hectare land (Jatropha Wikipedia, 2011).

Therefore, in Delta State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Potential Outcomes of Cassava and Jatropha Farmers Growing Energy Crops for Biotechnology.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas releases poisonous gases into the atmosphere. Energy gotten from these gases, power almost two-thirds of present electricity and virtually all of our transport (United States Department of Energy, 2006). But, there are a number of problems associated with fossil fuels most of which stem from by-products created when they are burnt to create energy. Chief among these by-products are carbon dioxide and nitrous oxides – green house gases that are major contributors to global warming. Regarding the coal and petroleum combustion, the amount of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide in our environment today are 35% and 18% higher respectively than they were before the industrial era (United States Department of Energy, 2006).

The reduction in energy use would cut annual greenhouse gases by 1.1 gigatonnes which is equivalent to taking the entire United States fleet of passenger vehicles and light trucks off the road (Mckinsey, 2009). Other by-products of fossil fuel combustion include sulphur and nitrogen oxides both of which contributes to acid rain and hydrocarbons which can react with nitrogen oxides to form smog. In addition to their environmental harm, the by-products of burning fossil fuels can cause health problems to humans. Nitrogen oxides for example cause irritation to the lungs (Union of Concerned Scientists, 2005) and particulate matter such as soot and dust contributes to respiratory illness and cardiac problems including heart attacks (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2002).

Fossil fuels are becoming increasingly expensive and according to the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2010), a complete elimination of fossil fuel subsidies would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 5.58% by 2020 and also, fossil fuels by their very nature are non renewable meaning that the amounts are limited for us to exploit (Owen et al, 2010). Therefore, an alternative source of energy has to be developed which leads us to biofuels and its usefulness in reducing, eliminating the fossil fuel problems. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says that biofuels could provide 27% of total transport fuel and contribute in particular to the replacement of diesel, kerosene and jet fuel avoiding about 2.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions when produced substantially (IEA, 2011). The International Energy Agency also projects that most biofuels could be competitive with fossil fuels by 2020 (IEA, 2011). As for security consideration, renewable such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro – tend to be more widely distributed than fossil fuels, making them potentially less vulnerable to regional instability (PEW charitable trusts, 2010). Thirty (30) million rural households in China that have biogas digesters have been reported to enjoy 12 benefits which include; saves time collecting fuel wood, saves fossil fuels, protects forest, use of crop residue for animal fodder instead of fuel, saves money, saves cooking time, improves hygienic conditions, produces high quality fertilizer, enables local mechanization and electricity production, improves the rural standard of living and reduces air and water pollution (China Biogas, 2010).

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to assess the Potential Outcomes of Cassava and Jatropha Farmers Growing Energy Crops for Biotechnology. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To access the relevance of cassava and Jatropha as energy crops for biotechnology.
2. To identify the socio economic characteristics of the farmers in the study area.
3. To identify the information sources of farmers in the study area.
4. To identify the present major energy sources in the study area.
5. To estimate the farmers perception on the efficiency/cost effectiveness of the energy sources.
6. To assess the problems/challenges associated with growing cassava and Jatropha.
7. To estimate the present production level of both the cassava and Jatropha farmers in the study area.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Is agricultural crop growth for biotechnology profitable?
• What are the possible uses and benefit of growing these crops?
• What are the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers?
• What are their information sources and present major energy sources?
• How efficient/cost effective are these energy sources?
• What is the present production level of cassava and Jatropha crops?

1.6 Justification of Study

This study was expected to expose the use of energy crops in general and cassava and Jatropha in particular as an alternative in generating electricity for the purposes of cooking and lightning, and explain the advantages of using such crops as against the conventional energy sources. It was also expected to identify the immense benefits in the use of such technology in a country like Nigeria for individuals, research institutes and private organizations to pick up and carry out experiments based on gathered facts, compare the advantages and disadvantages and see how it can be used with little or no negative effects on individuals and the country at large.

The rural farmers and dwellers were expected to become enlightened and encouraged by the federal government through the provision of inputs, extension education, credit facilities and other materials required by these farmers in order to cultivate more of these energy crops especially cassava and Jatropha for their vast benefits which is not only in the production of oil for energy production.

1.7 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on Potential Outcomes of Cassava and Jatropha Farmers Growing Energy Crops for Biotechnology.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
3. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
4. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).