A boom in ethanol fuels in the United States and elsewhere could have devastating effects on food prices and worsen world hunger.

The study by the University of Minnesota suggests the rush for ethanol threatens to divert massive amounts of corn and other food crops into biofuels which could leave shortages in developing worlds for food use.

"Resorting to biofuels is likely to exacerbate world hunger," the paper suggests.

Researchers believe the surge in energy prices along with subsidies and incentives given by governments has pushed farmers into diverting massive amounts of corn, oilseeds and other crops into ethanol.

The drive for ethanol impacts on different countries crops, in the U.S. corn harvests is used whereas Brazilians use sugar cane and in Africa cassava.

AH/NDJ/IS