Abstract

Multicriteria analysis applied to spatial allocation of sugarcane in Brazil
Track: Agriculture
Authors: Akenya Alkimim

Brazil has a great potential for agricultural expansion considering the significant amount of suitable lands for agriculture, favorable climate, and topography. Our study aimed to identify optimal pasturelands for sugarcane expansion as an alternative model for the advance of the agricultural frontier in Brazil, opposing to those currently practiced, which has resulted in environmental losses. Algebra map operations was used to combine layers, and a multi-criteria analysis to obtain information with regard to decision-making. ModelBuilder assisted in managing, organizing and visualizing the relationship among edaphoclimatic, infrastructure and socioeconomic variables included in the modeling. The overall model was simplified into a set of sub-models, allowing us to review all the stages, orientate, locate and so indicate potential agricultural environments. The results show areas where the expansion of sugarcane would generate less environmental impacts and greater socioeconomic benefits. Such information contributes to public decision-making to allocate public investments and private strategies.