摘要：High oil prices, recent commitments by industrialized countries to enhance the use of renewable energy, andefforts by developing countries to stimulate foreign investment as a pathway to development have fueled high levels of interestin the biofuel sector throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. Zambia is no exception. A large, land-locked country with highpump prices and vast tracts of land considered by many to be "degraded" or "underutilized," investor interest in the sector hasremained high despite uncertainties associated with unproven feedstocks and market fluctuations. While investment in multiplefeedstock and production models may be observed, one of the primary investments has been in jatropha outgrower schemes inwhich small-scale farmers grow feedstock on contract with domestic and foreign investors. We assess the history and evolutionof the largest such scheme in Zambia, as well as the social and environmental impacts in two districts with large numbers ofoutgrowers. Findings suggest that, although such a production model may hold promise for enhancing rural livelihood benefitsfrom the emerging biofuel sector, to date, small-scale farmers have borne the brunt of the risk and uncertainty that are thetrademarks of this emerging industry. We conclude with a discussion of options to minimize forest conversion and protectfarmers against high-risk investments, while harnessing the potential of this business model for enhancing rural livelihoods inZambia and elsewhere
