**Chapter 9 157**

Biotechnology in Agricultural Policies of Sub-Saharan Africa *by Joel W. Ochieng and Anthony Ananga*

Preface

Bioeconomy, as a new branch of industrial processes, was created as a result of the analysis of methods of using raw materials, technological processes in the use of these raw materials, and receipt of various types of material goods. Without questioning the legitimacy of the need to produce many products, technologies that use natural resources pose a serious burden to the environment. For these reasons, the concept of bioeconomy as a new industrial branch was introduced in 2012. Bioeconomy is based mainly on raw materials of biological origin, including so-called waste biomass. By definition, bioeconomy should include a wide range of raw materials and the development of technology for their processing, with a minimum environmental burden. Initially, it was assumed that bioeconomy technologies would completely eliminate the production of waste. According to recent research and views, it is theoretically possible to significantly reduce post-production waste in bioeconomic processes. However, known technological processes using biomass as a raw material require an energy supply. This, in turn, causes emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, regardless of whether this energy comes from coal and oil, or from the use of biofuels and bioliquids. It is also possible to use other renewable energy sources, such as wind, water, or solar energy, but the LCA analysis of these sources also shows emissions in this cycle. Therefore, complete elimination of all waste, including waste heat as one of the forms of mass and energy exchange, from technological processes or the possibility of their full use is not possible. Therefore, bioeconomic processes require in-depth analysis taking into account such criteria as: rational use of available resources of raw materials, the necessary environmental needs for these raw materials, progressive climate change, preservation of biodiversity, soil condition, water, and air. These criteria fall into the category of environmental criteria. In the category of social criteria, we can distinguish: access to clean air, access to food, preservation of soil ownership, process transparency and access to information, employment, and health protection. In the economic criteria category, there is one important criterion regarding the cost and efficiency of bioeconomic processes. The rational use of available raw materials requires the development and implementation of appropriate technologies that should take into account environmental, social, and economic criteria. For this reason, the need to develop a book with the working title "Bioeconomy" that covers the basics and legitimacy of conducting activities in this field was recognized. This book organizes definitions and presents the updated research in the scope of possibilities of implementing bioeconomic processes. Unfortunately, the degree of research development in the scope of these processes is still at the level of discussion in the area of bioeconomy development strategy, and even concepts and their interpretations. Out of many proposed chapters, nine studies were selected. These nine chapters fall within the scope of criteria covering bioeconomic processes. The accepted chapters cover various but partial aspects of these processes. This resulted in the title of the book presented being "Elements of Bioeconomy". Due to various aspects of bioeconomic processes covered in the accepted chapters, it was impossible to divide the content of the monograph into

relevant thematic sections.
