Prognosis of organic sugar cane spirit production in the Araras region

Abstract

In spite of social and economic value of the Brazilian sugar cane spirit or cachaça, there are few studies about the parameters of agroindustrial of sugar cane and the profile of the producers, along with concern for quality. This agro-industry has significant number of small producers with it’s activity one way to obtain an income, bringing employments and foreign exchange to the country. However, these producers manufacture empirical and rudimental way, based on common sense or information by father or son. The aim of the study was to characterize the profile of the producers of sugar cane spirit or cachaça of the region of Araras, linked them to the viability of obtaining a products of high quality using organic methods. As result of this study was evidenced that the region of Araras shows the same characteristic profile of this sector, where a large majority work in informal conditions, without certificate on Agriculture Ministry and sell its production in local markets. The conditions of manufacturing juice of sugar cane are very rudimentary, where a large majority of producers with simple distillations apparatus. Relatively to the possibility of production of organic sugar cane spirit or cachaça, the main difficulty is located on the rural area, caused by the strong dependence on soluble chemical fertilizers. The production of organic sugar cane spirit or organic cachaça would be one alternative sufficient practicable and attractive.