South Africa, May 15 -- Delivering the Department of Agriculture's 2026/27 Budget Vote speech, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen said biofuels remain one of the few policy tools capable of linking agriculture, energy and industrial development.

"Biofuels are not simply an energy intervention. They represent one of the few policy levers that simultaneously drive rural employment, agro-processing, and industrial development," he said.

25,000 jobs linked to blending target According to Steenhuisen, a 2% biofuels blending target could create around 25,000 jobs, particularly in rural areas.

"A 2% blending target has the potential to create approximately 25,000 jobs, largely in rural areas, while a single commercial ethanol facility ...