Public policies for low carbon emission agriculture foster beef cattle production in southern Brazil

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the impact of two complementary public policies, one federal, Low Carbon Agriculture program (ABC), and one from Santa Catarina state, the cattle beef development program of Santa Catarina. By the official rural credit of the ABC program, the federal government aims the sustainability of beef cattle by production practices with potential mitigation of greenhouse gases (GHG). The Santa Catarina state program subsidizes federal program interest. In order to evaluate the impact of these public policies, it was evaluated 170 beef cattle farms in Santa Catarina. The evaluation consisted of visits and application of quantitative and qualitative forms. The farms were distributed in the regions of North plateau, Itajaí Valley, Mountain range, Midwest and West Santa Catarina. The evaluation period was from January 2012 to December 2016, covering the origin of the application of the resources, zootechnical indexes and economic analysis. It was found that 45% of ABC resources were used in pasture establishment and recovery, 18% in paddock subdivisions, 32% in adaptations of management centers and the remainder resources in animal genetic improvement and technical assistance. The evolution of the herd showed 21% increase in the number of animals (P = 0.0016), 44% increase in the number of females (P < 0.001), and a slaughter age reduction in 12 months (P = 0.0022). The relationship between the value of the projects and the value applied in pastures was positive linear (P < 0.001). There was improvement in knowledge on pasture management and on zootechnical indexes by the farmers after the five years of the programs implementation (P < 0.001). Farmers who joined the program reported unanimity regarding improvements in technical knowledge and management of the activity. It is concluded that public policies have had a positive impact in beef cattle production. Furthermore, the investment on production practices such pasture implantation and recovery, suitable pasture management, reduction on animals slaughter age presents potential to GHG mitigation.