WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s time for America to end the food versus fuel debate, says U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack.
Instead, the country needs to determine if double cropping can produce enough corn and other agricultural commodities to satisfy the demand for both ethanol and breakfast cereal?
During an address to reporters attending the North American Agricultural Journalists annual meeting in Washington, D.C., Vilsack said the never-ending discussion around growing crops for food or biofuel is a false debate. A more appropriate question would ask: is it possible for farmers to increase crop production on the existing land base?
“Shouldn’t we be asking whether or not the agricultural production system can be re-designed in such a way to meet the needs of the country in terms of its food supply, meet the needs of its livestock industry… domestically produce fuel, which helps create jobs … and provides more energy security for the country,” Vilsack said.
“A Michigan State study has suggested that perhaps as much as 80 to 200 million dry tons of material could be produced, with a double cropping system in this country.”
Vilsack didn’t mention the specific study, but he was likely referring to work done by Bruce Dale, a chemical engineering professor and biofuel expert at Michigan State.
During a U.S. Senate hearing in early April, Dale said double cropping could further reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.
If U.S. farmers planted double crops on one-third of the nation’s corn and soy acres, Dale said, America could produce 100 billion gallons of ethanol, approximately the amount of gasoline that the U.S. now imports.
However, Dale did not specify what kind of crops would be planted in the winter, and Vilsack admitted he didn’t know exactly how this would work.
“I can’t tell you that I have all the answers today … but I think it’s important for us to start asking the right questions.”
He said moving toward such a goal makes more sense than perpetuating the food versus fuel debate.
“If we are to see a resurgence and revival of rural America … it’s going to be necessary for us to look at how we stimulate investment and stimulate innovation.”
