Cadeia produtiva do arroz no baixo São Francisco sergipano: modelo metodológico integrado dos aspectos sociais e ambientais

Abstract

Population growth puts pressure on production chains, increasing demand for products and generating challenges such as supply, waste, and regional development, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG 2 focuses on eradicating hunger and sustainable agriculture, while SDG 12 promotes responsible consumption and production with targets set for 2030. In Sergipe, rice cultivation (Oryza sativa L.) is predominant in the lower São Francisco region, with an annual production of approximately 57,200 tons, highlighting the importance of sustainable agricultural practices and grain processing. Methodologies such as Water Footprint (WF), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and the SAFA system are essential for the sustainable management of natural resources. The WF identifies practices and measures to mitigate water consumption, crucial in regions facing scarcity. The LCA provides a comprehensive view of environmental impacts throughout the production chain, enabling decisions that minimize these impacts. The SAFA system offers an integrated approach, helping to identify unsustainable practices and areas for improvement. When used together, these methodologies support the promotion of sustainability in agricultural properties, enhancing the socio-environmental debate. Therefore, the objective of this thesis was to analyze the sustainability of irrigated rice cultivation and its processing in the lower São Francisco region of Sergipe. The research encompasses rice-producing municipalities and the processing plant, all located in the lower São Francisco region. A qualitative-quantitative approach was employed, with the quantification of industrial WF according to the WF Assessment Manual. The LCA was conducted following ABNT ISO 14040/2009 and ABNT ISO 14044:2014 standards, and the SAFA system was applied according to FAO (2013), evaluating dimensions of governance, environmental integrity, economic resilience, and social well-being, involving farmers and organizations related to the development of rice cultivation in the region. The analysis of the results indicated that the studied agribusiness operates in accordance with existing state and federal regulations, demonstrating efficiency in processing and low water demand due to the absence of parboiling in the region. In assessing life cycle impacts, the most significant categories were global warming potential, human toxicity, and freshwater ecotoxicity, related to the high consumption of diesel, fertilizers, herbicides, and agrochemicals used in the cultivation and processing stages. Together with the SAFA indicators, this demonstrates unsustainable rice production practices in the agricultural and agribusiness sectors. The development of this work is significant, highlighting the social and environmental aspects of production, being the first to integrate the three methodologies, and recommending.