Biocombustíveis como proposta de desenvolvimento sustentável

Abstract

The persistency in the unsustainable usage of natural resources by the present society is causing irreparable damages to the environment. Suggesting new ways for the society to develop without the need to jeopardize all natural resources is the aim of the Sustainable Development, which incites the adoption of various practices whose aim is to lessen the impact of human actions in nature. One of this practices is the substitution of fossil fuels for renewable energy such as biofuels. This essay seeks to respond whether the production of biofuel presents itself as a productive alternative for family farmers in regard to the sustainability budgets. The main aim of this essay is to analyse the alternative layed out by biofuels as a strategy for the sustainable development. The methodological procedure used was the qualitative-descriptive analysis, in which case the data was collected through semi-structured interviews to the AFUBRA manager and two other farmers, one from the town of Sinimbu and one other from Rio Pardo. With the results obtained was possible to infer, eventhough in a limited way, that biofuels are considered feasible and sustainable in regard to the substitution of tobacco and the diversification of rural property, but all this only depends on the reality of farming families. The AFUBRA promotes the diversification of the rural property, as long as it is identified, through researches, as a complementary culture to the farmer income, and not as a substitute. The Association adopted a position in which they are in favor with the production of tobacco as the income source for the farming families. It is a fact that the production of biofuels show that new paths are being opened to allow new sustainable practices, and as a result of that biofuels have been showing good results, so much for the society as for the Association.