Brazil Turning Pastures To Fuel

By Scott C. Lucas|15 November 2006

Brazil could flip up to 30 million hectares (Ha) of pastureland to biofuel farming, according to ex-Agriculture Minister Roberto Rodrigues.

Rodrigues, one of the biggest proponents of expanding Brazil’s biodiesel program, said the program would be in full effect in 2008. The plan requires a 2% mix of refined biofuels made from oilseeds or animal fats to be mixed with traditional diesel fuel.

Brazil, the world’s top beef exporter, currently has about 200 million heads of cattle on 200 million Ha of pastureland. "Of those 200 million hectares, 90 million of them can be used for row crops to meet the agroenergy demands of the future," Rodrigues said. "The agroenergy segment does not need to deforest to expand cropland."

Brazil currently derives the bulk of its biofuels from its sugarcane crop, and is the most experienced nation in the world in dealing with biofuels. The country also sees many opportunities to export ethanol and bio-diesel to the US, EU, and other markets that have set goals pertaining to their expanding use of biofuels.