Sustainability of the Food Production Chain in Brazil: Interconnections Between Soil, Water, Agricultural Inputs, Biofuels, and Food Nutrients

• Grant number: 25/00722-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Barbara Janet Teruel Mederos
• Grantee: Maria Julia de Oliveira Miele
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola (FEAGRI). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11380-5 - CPTEn - São Paulo Center for the Study of Energy Transition, AP.CCD

Abstract

The intersection between agriculture, food consumption, human and planetary health is a vital and expanding field of study, aiming to understand how these elements mutually influence each other (1). Agricultural production directly effects food availability and quality, while also significantly influencing ecosystems and global climate patterns (2). One critical factor contributing to the environmental impact of agricultural production is the intensive use of mechanization, which relies on diesel-powered tractors and other equipment, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. To mitigate the use of fossil fuels, biodiesel emerges as an alternative, utilizing raw materials from firstgeneration (food crops) and second-generation (agricultural residues) sources (3). However, although biofuels are less carbon-intensive, first-generation production can result in significant greenhouse gas emissions due to fertilizer use and land-use changes, such as deforestation for cultivation. Moreover, the widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides in first-generation crops also increases the environmental footprint (4).In this context, the existence of robust and integrated databases is essential to provide a comprehensive view of these interactions (5). The PHFood Brazil database - Planetary Health: A Comprehensive View of Food in Brazil, consolidating 48 years of information on agricultural production in Brazil, land and water use, pesticides, nutrients, and calories - will serve as the foundation for the development of this study (6). The project will investigate the relationship between food production and natural resource consumption, focusing on estimating water and carbon footprints. This innovative proposal aims to analyze consistent national data, enabling models to assess the environmental impact of agricultural production and explore the sustainability of agricultural practices, with an emphasis on energy transition. The analyses will contribute to the development of strategies to reduce environmental impact, optimize sustainability, and ensure food security. For the analysis of the interconnections, we propose to apply Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), with water and carbon footprints as indicators for measuring environmental impact, using a multicriteria approach that considers greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants harmful to human health, the impact on human health, the depletion of natural resources, and ecosystem degradation.This project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger); SDG 4 (Quality Education); SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).