OILSEED ACTIVITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE LINKAGES: FAMILY FARMING CASES FROM NORTHERN BRAZIL

Abstract

The biofuel production has been strongly discussed in Brazil, leading the country to develop policies and implement, in 2004, a biodiesel program (PNPB) in order to promote rural and regional development. Based on this, the present study aims to assess the linkages between the oil seed activity and climate change, especially regarding the deforestation of native forests. Thus, a cross sectional study was conducted with small-scale farmers in Tocantins state, located in the Brazilian Legal Amazon Region. The survey was conducted in 2008 and comprises a range of socio-economic and environmental indicators, which were collected among smallholders who cultivate Ricinus Communisand Jatropha curcas oil seeds. Aiming at having more accuracy in the assessment of the linkages, REDD plus project analyses were also performed in the study. Results point toward a positive relationship between oil seed production and deforestation of native forests, which might then,aggravates climate change.