Development of non-food agricultural industries for biofuel applications

Quite recently, agriculture not only acts as a traditional source for food, feed and fibre, but is generating feedstock for vegetable oil-based renewable fuels. In particular, edible oils are increasingly finding industrial applications for energy purposes beyond their traditional oleochemical use. Higher pressure on globally limited vegetable oil commodities poses commercial and ethical threats which require an urgent solution. As biomass has a limited edible oil potential, development of a non-food agricultural industry for fuel applications has clear advantages. Biotechnology is vital in addressing the growing global demands for crops for food, fodder, fibre and fuel.