There is widespread interest in biofuel crops as a solution to the world's energy needs, particularly in light of concerns over greenhouse-gas emissions.

Use of food crops such as corn, rapeseed, sugarcane etc for production of biofuels by developed countries might endanger the food security of the world. Therefore attempts have been made to use the no edible oil yielding plants, such as Jatropha for generating substitute of diesel.

Algae are quickly becoming the most attractive successor to traditional biofuels feedstocks like corn and soybeans, and even to next-generation feedstocks such as switchgrass and jatropha, Although algal biofuels are not yet being produced or consumed on a commercial scale, a number of companies are working their way toward doing exactly that, possibly as soon as 2010.

Access to land for biofuel cultivation is often negotiated with rural communities. Ensuring that sufficient consultation and discussion are carried out and that agreements are respected is a big challenge. This case study from Mozambique illustrates some of the difficulties.