Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Summary:
According to “Implications for Agriculture and Rural Development” in “Biofuels” by Antony Rowe (2007), nowadays, because of rising biofuels production, the need of agricultural feedstock makes crop prices higher and higher. The author noted that many different kinds of feedstock and technologies can be used to produce biofuels, and because of these farmers can produce “underutilized forms of biomass” (Rowe, 2007, pg.122) and make more land to produce agriculture. The writer stated that “biofuel programmes” (Rowe, 2007, pg.123) maybe an important reason of rising employment in rural areas nowadays and in future. The author mentioned that biofuels seem to be a “possible solution” (Rowe, 2007, pg.127) which can help agricultural surplus in some developing countries. Rowe explained that there are some benefits to “rural communities” (Rowe, 2007, pg.129). The author reported that even though there are many “small-scale biofuel production” (Rowe, 2007, pg.133) now, in future, “large-scale” biofuel production will become the main stream (Rowe, 2007, pg.133). The author described that producing biofuels can make rich farmers more wealthy, while it also can lead poor farmers into more poverty. Furthermore, the writer showed that because the requirement of biofuels has been increased, the certain food prices has became higher and higher, and these will lead to some social problems.
appropriate—suitable or proper
e: She chose clothes appropriate for a job interview

absorb—include or incorporate as part of itself or oneself
e: The country successfully absorbed its immigrants.

subsidy—money granted by the state or a public body etc. to keep down the price of commodities etc.
e: This company has a good housing subsidy.

maintain—cause to continue; keep up
e: We should maintain friendly relations.

aid—help
e: The biofuels development can aid rural areas.

rural—in, of, or suggesting the country
e: The biofuels development can aid rural areas.

aim—intend or try
e: He aimed to win this game.

advocate—a person who support or speaks in favor
e: We all passionately advocate economic reforms.

region--an area of land, or division of the earth’s surface, having definable boundaries or characteristics
e: The coffee shop is located in the region between Elbe and Rhine.

diversify—vary; modify
e: Some of theses problem could be avoided as a wider diversify of feedstock are used.

arrangement— plans and preparations that you must make so that something can happen
e: I've agreed to help with arrangements for the party.

massive— very large, solid, and heavy
e: The bell is massive, weighing over 40 tons.

achieve— to successfully complete something or get a good result, especially by working hard
e: She eventually achieved her goal of becoming a professor.

plantation— a large area of land in a hot country, where crops such as tea, cotton, and sugar are grown
e: A hothouse or plantation where pineapples are grown.

mechanization— mechanized system or process now uses machines instead of people or animals [= automated]
e: Car production is now highly mechanized.