Crop Land Shortage Halts Biofuel Plans In China

An official government rule published this week citing a shortage in farmland and food crops may force China's oil companies to cancel plans to explore large-scale production of biofuel. Losses in farmable land continue to cause problems for China.

1 minute read

December 26, 2006, 10:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Rules that China published this week are aimed at preventing "a mad rush of companies jumping on the bandwagon" of making fuels from plants and animals."

"China National Petroleum Corp. is among companies planting Barbados nuts, yams and other crops that can be turned into fuels for cars. Such projects will be supported only as long as there is an adequate supply of grain, the Finance Ministry said last month, to avoid having to import food for the 1.3 billion people in China. Corn prices on the Dalian Commodity Exchange rose to a record Friday."

"Construction, pollution and natural disasters are decreasing the land area China has available for food crops."

"The amount of land that had been set aside for the wheat crop but was not fit to be farmed this year jumped 24 percent, the Shanghai Securities News reported last week."

Friday, December 22, 2006 in International Herald Tribune

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

2 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

3 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

4 hours ago - Cities Today