Cactus bioenergy potential for the drylands

Cactus plants, in particular, Opuntia spp. (commonly referred to as cactus pear) is climate resilient and a multipurpose crop. Apart from cactus pear being used as food and fodder, there are growing interests in new market opportunities, including bioenergy. The popularity of using cactus biomass to convert into biogas has grown due to cactus pear’s adaptive nature in the drylands and demand for alternative energy sources. On 9 December 2021, FAO-ICARDA CactusNet hosted a new webinar on “Cactus bioenergy potential for the drylands” to raise awareness about the future of cactus pear as an alternative bioenergy source. The webinar was part of a series held under the Technical Network on Sustainable Crop Production and Agroecology, managed by the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP). The ongoing series contributes to the new FAO Strategic Framework in supporting the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life, leaving no one behind.