Effects of Use of Biofuels for Increasing Production and Productivity in Rural Communities in Northeast Brazil

The paper contains results of a research undertaken for the ANEEL (National Agency for Electric Energy) on the sources of sustainable energy for production in small agriculture in Northeast Brazil. The aim was to identify forms of uses of electric energy in family farming agriculture for stimulating local development in rural communities. Methods of research included field work and application of questionnaires in rural communities and settlements of landless workers. Research covered seven of the nine Northeastern states in a sample of small landholdings. Results shown a very good potential for increasing production and productivity through the use of electric energy, in special, by means of irrigated agriculture when communities dispose of biofuel energy. Attention was also posed in the use of alternative sources of energy, those made available by sun and wind energy. Additional results also indicated that the use of energy in agro-industrial activities such as fruit processing and livestock production increase productivity, income and employment in rural communities mainly those outside main roads and means of transportation. But one further and less effective result was that the successful means for increasing production, productivity and income of small landholdings depend strongly on programs of education, promotion of rural non-agricultural activities and policies aiming reduction of urban-rural inbalances.