Sustainability of Biofuel Production in Western Kenya: A Case Study of Biofuel Production Mumias Sugar Company

Biofuel is a renewable fuel made from biomass, either in liquid or gaseous form. It can be produced from edible or non-edible sources. Common types include bioethanol, derived from sugar crops like corn and sugarcane, and biodiesel, made from fat and vegetable oil crops such as jatropha and rapeseed. Biofuels are environmentally friendly, promote rural development, and enhance energy security. They are used as a substitute for fossil fuels in transportation, such as blending ethanol with gasoline. Additionally, biofuels can be used for cooking, reducing the reliance on firewood and charcoal in developing countries. Concerns about climate change and the availability of biofuel policies have driven their adoption. However, the increased cost of food in 2008 raised questions about the sustainability of the food-biofuel relationship. This study examines biofuel production in Mumias, western Kenya, to assess its current and future sustainability. The research used a case study approach, with both primary and secondary data used. Interviews were conducted to evaluate the production factors, as well as the environmental, social, and economic impacts of bioethanol production. The findings revealed a connection between food security and biofuel production. Other impacts included changes in land use, biodiversity loss, soil fertility decline, job creation, poverty alleviation, economic viability, and energy security. The study identified drivers for biofuel adoption, such as ethanol blend mandates, as well as challenges, including insufficient funding, inadequate policy implementation, limited feedstock, technology gaps, lack of expertise, and inadequate research. Further studies are needed on sustainable farming methods that combine cane farming and food crop cultivation to ensure food security, improve farming practices to increase cane yield, and study consumer attitudes towards biofuels to encourage technology adoption.