A study is outlined that will satisfy the requirement in the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1977 for the President to carry out ''studies to identify the energy needs, uses, and resources that exist in developing countries.'' The study also considers those policies and programs in the energy area that can most effectively carry out the intent of the Act and the overall mandate of the Agency for International Development (AID).

The energy situation in developing countries is desperate.Because these countries are primarily dependent on fossil fuels--chiefly oil--for industrial growth, they have been hard hit by oil price increases. Further, in the rural areas, where most of the population lives, there are limited supplies of increasingly expensive diesel fuel or kerosene. Noncormzercial energy sources such as firewood, dung, and agriouZtural residues are generally used in rural areas, but under the pressure of growing populations the forests are disappearing. This is resulting in a critical shortage of firewood for cooking and heating, as well as in the destruction of the environment. In addition, when dung and agricultural residues are burned, valuable fertilizers are destroyed. Thus, the rural areas--the sources of food and fiber--face a particularly alarming situation.

Biomass for Energy in the Developing Countries: Current Role, Potential, Problems, Prospects focuses on biomass energy and its importance to developing countries. This book outlines the reality that supply can no longer meet the demand of this form of energy. This fact is particularly observed in the rising price of oil, which is a prime source of energy for developing countries. Relative to this, a need to look for indigenous energy sources is urgent to sustain development in these countries. This book emphasizes that biomass energy utilization differs among developing countries, which shows the variance in energy needs. This text also notes that the pattern of biomass energy use in such countries is related to agriculture and also has cultural, economic, and social linkages. Biomass energy is also considered an important aspect in rural development and as a replacement for petroleum products. With the impending shortage of biomass energy, schemes are now being developed to sustain the use of this energy in household and industry settings, which is emphasized in the development of equipment considered energy efficient. People who are concerned with the development and implementation of programs aimed at conserving biomass energy and in the search of alternative energy can use this book as a reference.