A gestão da produção de mamona como matéria-prima para produção de biodiesel em Pesqueira-PE

Abstract

This dissertation aims to examine manifold aspects in the management of castor oil plant in Pesqueira, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. It investigates whether the isolated managements on the production of castor brought about difficulties in biofuel production and the formation of a Local Productive Arrangement on biofuel production in wild lands of Pernambuco. The role of Brazilian institutions that support the operations for the production of castor oil plant is elucidated, with a focus on two organizations, namely: Petrobras Biofuel and Governor Miguel Arraes Biofuel Plant, which act separately on the availability of raw materials for agribusiness biodiesel. This study provides essentially "a case study" as a procedure to conduct the research. It is described the main aspects of organizational and institutional environment in the production of castor oil. This study favors the understanding of the role of government institutions in the production of castor oil plant, both from the perspective of generating income and employment for farmers, as well as on the availability of raw material for oil extraction and biofuel production. The planting castor bean is an activity of wide social repercussions in the semiarid region, where the feasibility conditions are essential for strengthening and continuity of its production. The Local Productive Arrangement of biofuel in the municipality of Pesqueira is not yet consolidated, even with the granting incentives for family farming through the National Program for Production and Use of Biofuel (PNPB). This research made use of primary data collected from family farmers through questionnaires applied to: experts and specialists in the production of castor oil plant, managers, engineers and employees of agribusiness biodiesel. Sixty farmers attached to these institutions were interviewed so as to compile data on the profile of the farmer (family income, education), financial support, property area, amount of Castor bean harvested per crop, yield kg/ha, planting intercropped system, among others. There was a methodological research between two organizations, describing events in which they are simultaneously involved, with results from previous research or for further research, and secondary data were obtained through a literature review. Based on the results obtained, it was found, so far, no success in the establishment, consolidation and continuity of the production process of castor beans, or the functioning of the Governor Miguel Arraes Biofuel Plant to ensure both income generation of farmers and the sustainability of the sector.