Advantages of cellulosic biofuel

Biofuels can be an effective environment-friendly and low-cost source of energy capable of replacing conventional fossil fuels mainly gasoline up to some extent. In advanced countries, plants have been set up to produce biofuels. In the United States, about 14% of oil requirements are supplemented by biofuels. But currently biofuels are being produced from food sources like corn, sugar canes, etc., posing a threat to food security.
Cellulosic biofuels are produced from non-food sources like grasses, agricultural wastes, non-edible plant parts etc. This biomass can be used to produce ethanol, the main element of biofuel through fermentation. Cellulosic biofuel is capable of reducing 85% greenhouse gasses (GHG) compared to refined gasoline.
Our country is an agricultural one and we have great scope for producing cellulosic biofuels using agricultural wastes, grasses and other non-edible plant parts. Both public and private sectors should undertake initiative to set up plants for producing cellulosic biofuels with a view to reducing oil use and global warming.
Professor M Zahidul Haque
Department of Agricultural Extension & Information System
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
Dhaka