The BioPower strategy focuses on biomass sources and approaches that do not compete with, and in fact could well enhance food production by attracting greater investments that boost both food and biofuel productivity. BioPower seeks approaches that forge a path out of poverty for dryland residents, raising incomes by connecting the poor to commercial supply chains on fair terms.

BioPower will take a broader bio-energy systems perspective than just biofuels. This includes village bio-energy generation for heat, electricity, light, engine power and other needs; the recycling of bio-wastes for energy; social, institutional and economic dimensions of bio-energy, risk management, environmental impacts, sustainability and other important issues.

ICRISAT will not address all aspects of these issues itself, but though BioPower will engage partnerships that make the most of complementarities, comparative advantages and synergies. BioPower will pay particular attention to helping poor women gain empowering, income-earning roles within bio-energy systems.

BioPower has the advantage of ICRISAT’s international, non-profit character which positions it ideally to build bridges across dryland regions, agencies and topics. These will not be passive relationships; they will be built to generate synergies with ICRISAT’s applied research capacities and international network of dryland research locations and partnerships.

ICRISAT’s BioPower Strategy, in short is to make the bio-energy opportunity work for the dryland poor instead of against them. The three main thrusts of BioPower and priority activities for each are summarized below.