Agrotechnology

Equity and ecological outcomes in brazilian agroforestry

International Conference on Agriculture, Food and Aqua

November 22-23, 2018 Cape Town, South Africa

Mickhale Green

Yale University School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, USA

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

Brazil is one of the world???s largest producers of Eucalyptus pulp, which primarily is harvested in large monoculture plantations and used to make paper and tissue. These Eucalyptus plantations border indigenous reserves and small landholder properties. Since much of the arable land is held by private companies, individuals and communities in the area often have to steal or illegally harvest timber or eucalyptus pulp for survival. These thefts have led to violent interactions between community members and forestry companies or frequent arrests. In response, some companies have launched social programs to improve relationships with the communities. The project sought to answer the following questions: Which stakeholders have played a key role in shifting relations between various land users and what were their motives.Even if new land-use strategies increase revenues for private companies and communities involved, are there commensurate ecological benefits. Is this model applicable to other plantation landscapes? Stakeholder mapping was used to represent the dynamics between local conservation and science organizations, community groups, agroforestry firms, and land reform organizations. IUCN, Apremavi, the Landless Worker???s Movement, and Fibria are examples stakeholders who will be included. Following stakeholder mapping, key informant interviews and focus group discussions focused on environmental impacts of agroforestry and visions of how more equitably sharing the land could lead to more sustainable outcomes. Though social projects slightly reduce theft, presently it is unclear that communities experience lasting benefits.

Biography :

Mickhale holds a joint bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Amherst College. Currently he is a final year Masters of Environmental Management Student at Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies where he focuses on sustainable food entrepreneurship. He was born in Jamaica and has years of research experience in Latin America and the Caribbean.

E-mail: mickhalegreen@yahoo.com