This is a very important article and doesn't even highlight the most important point about Brazils ethanol industry, ZERO subsidies. This is an alternative energy, already competitive with fossil fuels, basically suited to existing infrastructure, but no one on hotcopper is much interested in biofuels other than to say its stupid based on the US version.
While everyone is screaming about the impact of rising food prices on the poor, the poorest countries like Nigeria and Senegal are about to launch major biofuels initiatives. They believe it will not threaten food security if well planned, and will ALLEVIATE poverty. Only thing I can think of that will stop this juggernaut is collapsing oil prices or not enough fertilizer, the former being highly unlikely and the later can be alleviated with sufficient investment.
