Tailoring Climate-Smart Biofuel Crop Production Options for Ghana: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

As countries increasingly adopt low-carbon energy strategies, bioenergy, especially biofuels, presents significant opportunities for sustainable growth. Biofuel production offers a range of benefits, including atmospheric carbon sequestration, job creation, foreign revenue, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, ecosystem stability, and land degradation mitigation. This study aims to enhance Ghana’s biofuel policies and climate-smart agricultural strategies by identifying suitable biofuel species for integration into current frameworks. Through a review of seven critical criteria, carbon balance with perennial crops, suitability for marginal lands, minimal impact on food prices, water footprint, fertilizer and/or pesticide needs, sustainable nitrogen management, and prioritization of native species, this study highlights promising indigenous biofuel perennials for agroforestry models in Ghana. Native species such as shea (Vitellaria paradoxa), baobab (Adansonia digitata), Allanblackia parviflora, Khaya senegalensis, oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) show strong resilience and adaptability for sustainable local cultivation. Furthermore, several non-native species with favourable agronomic traits and adaptability to marginal lands were identified as potential biofuel crops, contingent on prior ecological assessments to ensure environmental compatibility. These species include Calotropis procera, castor bean (Ricinus communis), Jatropha curcas, neem (Azadirachta indica), moringa (Moringa oleifera) and cassava (Manihot esculenta). Additionally, Ghana’s established export crops such as cocoa (Theobroma cacao), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) offer further biofuel potential by converting underutilized by-products, such as non-edible seeds and husks, into biofuels. The study underscores a critical need for additional research on bioenergy yields, biofuel properties, and alignment with local energy systems to inform policy and investment decisions. A shortage of empirical data, particularly life-cycle and cost-benefit analyses, was identified. Consequently, emphasizing the need for rigorous research to equip farmers, policymakers, and investors with the knowledge needed for sustainable biofuel development in Ghana.