Abstract
There has been a growing interest in biofuel in recent years. It is a sustainable
alternative to traditional fuel that may be produced from various feedstocks, including
vegetable oils, animal fats, and animal fat by-products. The use of biofuel has gained
popularity in developed countries to combat concerns about climate change, provide
energy security, and advance agricultural development. Governments have thus
established laws and strategies to encourage the production of biofuel, and they are
aware of the potential benefits that biofuel may hold for rural development and job
creation. However, despite a greater demand for biofuel, the Limpopo province has
not completely capitalised on the possibility of using biofuel production as an
employment creation tool.
With South Africa’s growing unemployment rate, 12 farmers started producing biofuel
in the Limpopo province. Cross-sectional, semi-structured virtual interviews were
conducted with these 12 participants, and the research question posed to them was
how biofuel production can be used as an instrument for local employment creation in
Limpopo province.
The study explored what empowerment factors could determine the commercial
viability of biofuel production in Limpopo province. It also determined the human
resource development requirements in preparation for employment in the biofuel
industry in Limpopo. The findings reflected that biofuel production can be used as an
effective tool for local employment creation in Limpopo if certain requirements are
fulfilled.