September 2008. On the East coast of Kenya, the Tana wetlands form a last haven for African wildlife in this heavily developed part of the country. Furthermore, Tana wetlands form a crucial link for many migratory waterbirds on the route to their winter destinations in the South. The area is now heavily threatened by plans to convert 20,000 hectares of it into sugarcane plantations for biofuel production.

Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) Ltd. and Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA), in a planned private joint venture, are proposing to turn 20,000 hectares of the mostly pristine Tana River Delta over to sugarcane. The main features of the Tana Integrated Sugar Project (TISP) are: 16,000 ha of irrigated sugarcane production through estate; 4,000 ha of out grower systems; water supply to the project; a sugar factory and co-generation facility of up to 34 megawatts power capacity; an ethanol production plant; and livestock supporting activities, including fisheries.

 Crucial link for migratory birds

This area is in need of protection, because it is crucial to many animal species like lions, hippos and waterbirds, as well as the livelihoods of local communities. Furthermore, Tana wetlands form a crucial link for many migratory waterbirds on the route to their winter destinations in the South. These birds are coming from Europe, such as the Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris Ferruginea) and the little stint (Calidris Minuta).

Local livelihoods

Moreover, thousands of people depend on the Tana wetlands as fishermen or farmers. Herdsmen also require the area for cattle grazing during the dry season. These functions – critical to their livelihoods - will largely disappear if the wetland is converted into a large-scale sugarcane production area.

Trend biofuel production in Africa

With an outlook for 2020, the report ‘Biofuels in Africa’ reveals how especially pristine wetland areas will become victim of large scale biofuel plantations, such as sugarcane and palm oil. Sugarcane production demands millions of litres of water for every hectare; ethanol production is only feasible and profitable when thousands of hectares can be established around a mill. Both conditions are met hardly anywhere, except in wetlands, especially floodplains.

The report also indicates that biofuel production offers few opportunities to local African smallholders. As a result, rural people are easily marginalised when large scale biofuel plantations are established. Similar cases also occur in South Benin and in the Mawi Basin, Tanzania.