Avoiding the conflict of food vs. fuel, this project looks at possibilities for growing bioenergy crops on degraded peatlands, thereby aiming to produce renewable energy while restoring landscapes.

This project aims to identify suitable crops for bioenergy production that can be grown on degraded land. This is hoped to contribute to combating climate change, while also producing a variety of socio-economic and environmental benefits to rural communities.

The project employs a combination of participatory research methods, field-based action research and laboratory/chemical analysis. To avoid food-energy conflicts, CIFOR uses degraded and/or abandoned land for this project, thus helping to restore degraded land while reducing demand for fossil fuels.

This project will inform and shape key development policy processes in Kalimantan, such as the Masterplan for Green Growth in Central/East Kalimantan province.

Lead scientist: Himlal Baral 

Donor: National Institute of Forest Science