Survey of sugarcane industry in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Focus on sustainability

• Published in: Biomass & bioenergy Vol. 58; pp. 149 - 157
• Main Authors: Viana, Karina R.O., Perez, Ronaldo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: agribusiness; Agricultural economics; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Alcohols: methanol, ethanol, etc; Alternative fuels. Production and utilization; Applied sciences; bioenergy; Biological and medical sciences; biomass; Brazil; business enterprises; developed countries; Energy; ethanol; Ethanol plants; Exact sciences and technology; farmers; Fuels; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Biometrics, experimentation. Remote sensing; International requirements; issues and policy; Minas Gerais; questionnaires; society; sugar industry; sugarcane; Sugarcane producers; sugars; surveys; Sustainability; South America; Brazil; America; Brazil, Minas Gerais; Minas Gerais; Ethanol plants; International requirements; Sustainability; Sugarcane producers; Saccharum; Monocotyledones; Ethanol; Alcohol; System sustainability; Sugar industry; Sustainable development; Sugar plant; Survey; Gramineae; Angiospermae; Manufacturer; Spermatophyta; Agriculture; Sugar cane; Economic aspect; Social aspect
• ISSN: 0961-9534; 1873-2909
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2013.08.006

Sugarcane industry is one of the most important agribusiness sectors in Brazil, which receives foreign investments for expansion, due to great international interest. However, its expansion has been subject to control and restrictions related to sustainability imposed by foreign institutions and governments in developed countries. The present work aimed to assess the progress of ethanol plants from the region of Triângulo Mineiro, located in the state of Minas Gerais, and their sustainability. It also provides information that can support local development and industry structure, based on the discussion of important issues to business, government and society. To obtain all the necessary information, a survey questionnaire was prepared and applied in the sugar ethanol plants and associations of sugarcane producers. This survey instrument included questions pertaining to current sustainability requirements, and questions to characterize producers and industries in this meso-region. The results revealed that companies and farmers are aware of the international and national agreements regarding sustainability and they are trying to meet all the requirements stated by those policies. The study not only demonstrates the evolution of the sector, but also the high level of the sustainable practices being adopted. •The sugar ethanol plants are in a unique moment of market expansion.•The ethanol plants are adjusting to attend the sustainability criteria.•Sugarcane harvesting will be 100% mechanized until 2014, in Minas Gerais.•Three types of transaction are adopted in sugarcane purchasing.•Vertical integration is chosen using as main criteria the economic feasibility.