Family forest production as a source of clean energy: a case study in family farming in southern Brazil

Abstract

Firewood is one of the main sources of renewable energy used worldwide. In Brazil, the use of firewood for energy purposes is important for several family farming value chains. Thus, it is important to know the energy potential of forest production, with a view to emphasizing energy security and sustainability. Therefore, the objective was to analyze the dynamics and capacity of firewood production through family forestry production aimed at drying agricultural products in southern Brazil. The work consisted of analyzing the forestry production of family farmers integrated in the Virginia tobacco value chain in southern Brazil. The research was carried out in an exploratory manner to seek, through criteria and methods, a proximity to the reality of the universe of farmers that make up the tobacco value chain in seven regions of southern Brazil. Forest production and firewood consumption scenarios were built for each region. The constructed scenarios indicate that the family forestry base can supply all the demand for firewood for the curing process of tobacco leaves. Thus, family forestry production is favorable to the supply of thermal energy for the drying process of Virginia tobacco leaves in the southern region of Brazil.