Oilseed production and sustainable development in northern Brazil: impact on farm income and food security

Abstract

Biofuel production has been a greatly discussed topic in Brazil. In 2004, these debates lead the country to develop new policies and to implement a national program for biodiesel use and production (PNPB) with the intent to increase the share of renewable energy and foster regional development. In this context, the present study aimed to assess the impact of small-scale oilseed production on income generation, as well as on food production. For this purpose, a cross sectional study was conducted with family farmers in the state of Tocantins, in a transition area between the Savannah and the Amazon rain forest. Ranges of socio-economic indicators were collected among smallholders who cultivate Jatropha curcas and Ricinus communis. The preliminary results point towards a negative relationship between oilseed activity and local food production, harming the local food security. In addition, the farm income generated by the oilseed activity is lower than conventional crops, such as maize and cassava, for instance. This research is unprecedented in the region and the results can be extremely valuable in supporting regional and national policies on clean energy; helping Brazil to achieve the regional sustainable development.