PRODUCTION, TECHNOLOGY AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGES: THE CHALLENGES TO THE SUGARCANE SECTOR IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Due to the economic, environmental and energy importance of the sugarcane to the Brazil, is justified the analysis of its conditions to resist to the climatic variability and to expand the supply of raw material to the production of the products derivatives from the sugarcane. In this way, this paper analyzes the conditions of sugarcane production in Brazil, identifies some vulnerabilities to the global climate changes and the possibilities of adaptation. In this view, the sustainability of sugarcane production has relation to the cultivation of suitable varieties, thus the methodology involved interviews and visits to sugarcane breeding institutions, as well as secondary data from publications, technical events and literature review. The results indicate low yield of the sugarcane production and technological lag of planted and cultivated varieties, a lack of knowledge about climatic scenarios and scarce actions that internalize the sector adaptation. In the last decade, the sector faced difficulties that pointed out the need to change the technological pattern in the sugarcane production and the global climate change reinforced this need. The overcoming of the sectoral challenges will depend on the direct articulation between science and development and changes in management practices, innovation in the regulatory framework, public policies to increase investments and diffusion of technologies. Capacity for adaptation will be directly influenced by farmers, who will implement the main guidelines, and by political and institutional mechanisms that encourage adoption, finance investments, provide training and disseminate new technologies. Increasing sector productivity and adapting to climate effects and risks will only be possible through changes in the production pattern, linking the intensive use of technology and innovation to the natural advantages for the sugarcane cultivation that the country has.