Water-energy-land-food nexus for bioethanol development in Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing global population leading to increased consumption of finite resources is a major challenge facing the ecosystem. This constraint creates the need for a well-coordinated system for producing a sustainable source of food, water, and clean energy (biofuels) which can be achieved by employing nexus principles. As the Nigerian government has been promoting sugar and bioethanol production from sugarcane in a bid to achieve food and energy security, this study aims to evaluate the water-energy-land-food nexus for the development of bioethanol in Nigeria. To assist this evaluation, indicators—constituting the nexus index—were applied to measure the consumption, mass, and economic productivity of resources. Land productivity was added to the nexus assessment as part of this research. Producing biofuels from crops impacts nexus resources, importantly land and food but also water and fossil energy resources used in the cultivation and processing phase. The nexus assessment helped to show areas of resource use inefficiencies needing possible improvements to move production towards sustainable use of resources. Two sites were studied and both had an average nexus performance; however, the site having modern irrigation used lesser energy leading to a better performance in the water consumption, energy, mass, and economic productivity indicators. This research provides literature as well as quantitative values that can help stakeholders analyse and make judicious decisions (policy) using the nexus system to improve resource management. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]