O desenvolvimento sustentável e a produção sucro-alcooleira na Paraíba.

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to analyze the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the alcohol and sugar sector of Paraíba. The alcohol and sugar production activity in Paraíba, as in the Northeast, has been suffering since the middle 80s with the end of State intervention in the sector and the extinction of IAA and PROALCOOL. Through a revision of the literature about the Brazilian sugar and alcohol industry it was emphasized initially the main differences between the Center-South and the Northeast, as well as contextualized historically the process of economic development of the sugar and alcohol production in Brazil. Secondly, secondary data were collected from research reports written by State agencies and thirdly, it was interviewed businessmen and technician of the industry. It was verifíed that the sector has modern distilleries perfectly adapted to the lack of state financing and incentives, and, on the other side, it was verifíed the existence of technologically backward sugar mills with few perspectives of surviving without State support. It was also observed the economic recuperation and modernization of sugar mills and the expansion of distilleries since the year 2000, and their commitment to environmental preservation and the search for sustainable development. From a environmental standpoint it was observed, among the businessmen interviewed, a concern with preservation of the environment verifíed through the technologies employed. From the economic and social point of view it was verifíed the importance of the sector in the absorption of labor, both industrial as agricultural.