The position of the federal government as regards the future supply of energy from renewable sources has gone beyond a merely public administration issue and has become a State matter because of its comprehensiveness and consequences for the development of the country. The supply of energy at high prices compromises economic development, job and income generation and the welfare of the Brazilian people.
Agriculture is a viable alternative for the generation of renewable energy from the economic, social and environmental points of view. Alcohol production from sugarcane is a successful example worldwide, because it has enabled the replacement of a substantial part of the gasoline used in transportation with alcohol. It is possible to repeat the process with other types of biomass.
There are various challenges to be met, including the development of agronomic technologies, which involves the selection of the best plants species and the most efficient production systems for this purpose, as well as the regions with the highest production potential. It is also necessary to develop new industrial technologies to transform the agricultural products into bioenergy.
The large-scale production of agroenergy not only would diminish energy costs when compared with petroleum, but also has environmental advantages, in addition to creating income and jobs in the rural sector. In other words, it would promote the sustainable development of the Brazilian hinterlands, particularly of the remote regions.
For the purpose of this plan, agroenergy is made up of four main groups: ethanol and energy cogeneration from sugarcane; biodiesel from animal and plant sources of fats; forest biomass and residues; and agricultural and agroindustrial residues and wastes.
The Plan directs the course of the strategic actions of the federal government as regards its overall policy, as set forth in the document Agroenergy Policy Guidelines. Its primary purpose is to provide the bearings for the efforts of Brazilian science, technology and innovation organizations, namely, projects that could be enhanced to provide, maintain, or increase the competitiveness and sustainability of the production chains linked to agroenergy. The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply shall directly coordinate all efforts.

By: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply / Embrapa Agroenergy

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