A System of Integrated Indicators for Socio-Environmental Assessment and Eco-Certification in Agriculture – Ambitec-Agro

The Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency (Embrapa) has proposed a “System for Environmental Impact Assessment of Agricultural Technology Innovations” (Ambitec-Agro) for the appraisal of research projects and technology innovations in the institutional context of R&D. A derived system, directed at eco-certification of rural activities (Eco-cert.Rural), has been proposed in order to extend the environmental assessment practice to rural activities. The Ambitec-Agro System comprises a set of weighing matrices organized for the integrated assessment of socio-environmental indicators, including modules focused on the environmental impact assessment of Agricultural, Livestock production, and Agro-industrial activities and a specific module for Social Impact Assessment. The calculated impact indices facilitate socio-environmentally sound decision making and allow the delineation of ad hoc recommendations for performance improvements, as well as selection of best cases for benchmarking purposes. The paper presents the Ambitec-Agro System and its applications as a project appraisal and technology management methodology.La Agencia Brasilera de Investigación Agrícola (Embrapa) ha propuesto un “Sistema para el Manejo del Impacto Ambiental de las Innovaciones Tecnológicas en la Agricultura” (Ambitec-Agro) para la valoración de los proyectos de investigación y las innovaciones tecnológicas en el contexto institucional de I+D. Un sistema derivado directamente de la eco-certificación de las actividades rurales (Eco-cert Rural), el cual ha sido propuesto con el objetivo de extender la práctica de la gestión ambiental en las actividades rurales. El sistema Ambitec-Agro se consiste en una serie de matrices de medición organizadas para el manejo integrado de indicadores socio-ambientales, incluyendo módulos enfocados en el manejo del impacto ambiental de la producción agrícola, ganadera y las actividades agro-industriales, con un módulo específico para el Manejo del Impacto Social. El índice de impacto calculado facilita la toma de decisiones socio económica y permite la delineación de recomendaciones ad hoc para el desempeño de mejoras, como también mejora los propósitos del benchmarking. Este trabajo presenta el sistema Ambitec-Agro y sus aplicaciones de metodología en la gestión a la valoración de un proyecto tecnológico.The Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency (Embrapa) has proposed a “System for Environmental Impact Assessment of Agricultural Technology Innovations” (Ambitec-Agro) for the appraisal of research projects and technology innovations in the institutional context of R&D. A derived system, directed at eco-certification of rural activities (Eco-cert.Rural), has been proposed in order to extend the environmental assessment practice to rural activities. The Ambitec-Agro System comprises a set of weighing matrices organized for the integrated assessment of socio-environmental indicators, including modules focused on the environmental impact assessment of Agricultural, Livestock production, and Agro-industrial activities and a specific module for Social Impact Assessment. The calculated impact indices facilitate socio-environmentally sound decision making and allow the delineation of ad hoc recommendations for performance improvements, as well as selection of best cases for benchmarking purposes. The paper presents the Ambitec-Agro System and its applications as a project appraisal and technology management methodology

A comprehensive system for the environmental impact assessment of emerging activities of the "new rural scenario"

O objetivo deste trabalho foi apresentar o sistema de Avaliação Ponderada de Impacto Ambiental de Atividades do Novo Rural (APOIA-NovoRural), que consiste de um conjunto de planilhas eletrônicas (plataforma MS-Excel) que integram 62 indicadores da performance ambiental de uma atividade econômica em um estabelecimento rural. Cinco dimensões de avaliação foram consideradas: ecologia da paisagem, qualidade ambiental (atmosfera, água e solo), valores socioculturais, valores econômicos e gestão e administração. Os indicadores foram construídos em matrizes de ponderação, nas quais dados quantitativos, obtidos em campo e laboratório, foram automaticamente transformados em índices de impacto, expressos graficamente. O índice de impacto de cada indicador foi traduzido a um valor de utilidade, empregando-se funções e coeficientes especificamente derivados para cada indicador. Os valores de utilidade foram agregados para compor o Índice de Impacto Ambiental da atividade avaliada. Os resultados da avaliação permitem ao produtor/administrador averiguar quais atributos da atividade podem estar desconformes com seus objetivos de sustentabilidade e ao tomador de decisões a indicação de medidas de fomento ou controle das atividades, segundo planos de desenvolvimento local; proporcionam, ainda, uma unidade de medida objetiva de impacto para auxiliar na qualificação e certificação de atividades agropecuárias.The objective of this paper was to present the Environmental Impact Assessment System of New Rural Activities (APOIA-NovoRural), which consists of a set of electronic spreadsheets (MS-Excel platform) that integrate 62 indicators of environmental performance of an economic activity at the farmstead level. Five assessment dimensions were considered: landscape ecology, environmental quality (atmosphere, water and soil), sociocultural values, economic values and management. Each indicator was constructed into a weighing matrix in which field- and laboratory-obtained data with the appropriate measurement units were automatically transformed into impact indices. The impact index for each indicator was translated into a utility value by multi-coefficient functions specifically derived for each indicator. The utility values for all indicators were aggregated to compose the Environmental Impact Index for the activity under consideration. The indicator level output offers a diagnostic tool for farmers, pointing out specific attributes of the activity that may be failing to comply with defined benchmarks. The dimension-wise output shows decision makers the major contributions of the activity towards local sustainable development, facilitating the definition of control actions and promotion measures. Finally, the aggregated Environmental Impact Index is a yardstick of environmental performance, serving as a straightforward certification tool for rural activities

SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT FOR TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS AT PECTENS PRODUCTION IN BRAZIL

This study presents a practical impact assessment method for the adoption of technology innovations at Pectens In vitro Fertilization Laboratory in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. To fulfill the system framework requirements, focused on reproductive and productive enterprises, field visits and interview with the laboratory executive director were carried out. Considering the pectens production activities, 24 socio-environmental indicators were developed and the impact indices were automatically calculated by the system’s spreadsheets. General performance index for the pectens reproduction activities indicated an important contribution of technological innovations for the sustainable production of the In vitro Fertilization Laboratory. The employed method was considered as appropriate for evaluations of sustainability at this agribusiness activity, dealing with indicators as tools in order to identify possible risks for negative impacts. Those indicators include aspects beyond those commonly presented by environmental impact assessments, and were capable to provide adequate management and sustainable development for the studied Organization

Local Productive Arrangements for Biodiesel Production in Brazil – Environmental Assessment of Small-holder’s Integrated Oleaginous Crops Management

Sustainability assessments were carried out in small-holders’ farms in four territories where productive arrangements have been organized for production of minor oleaginous crops under the Brazilian biodiesel program. The study aimed at checking local impacts of the biodiesel productive chains at the rural establishment scale, and promoting the environmental performance of the selected farms, henceforth proposed as sustainable management demonstration units. Assessments were carried out with the APOIA-NovoRural system, which integrates 62 objective and quantitative indicators related to five sustainability dimensions: i) Landscape Ecology, ii) Environmental Quality (Atmosphere, Water and Soil), iii) Socio-cultural Values, iv) Economic Values and v) Management and Administration. The main results point out that, in general, the ecological dimensions of sustainability, that is, the Landscape Ecology and Atmosphere, Water, and Soil quality indicators, show adequate field conditions, seemingly not yet negatively affected by increases in chemical inputs and natural resources use predicted as important potential impacts of the agro-energy sector. The Economic Values indicators have been favorably influenced in the studied farms, due to a steadier demand and improved prices for the oleaginous crops. On the other hand, valuable positive consequences expected for favoring farmers’ market insertion, such as improved Socio-cultural Values and Management Administration indicators, are still opportunities to be materialized. The Environmental Management Reports issued to the farmers, based on the presented sustainability assessment procedures, offer valuable documentation and communication means for consolidating the organizational influence of the local productive arrangements studied. These productive arrangements were shown to be determinant for the selection of crop associations and diversification, as well as for the provision of technical assistance and the stabilization of demand - conditions that promote value aggregation and income improvements, favoring small-holders’ insertion in the market. More importantly, these locally organized productive arrangements have been shown to strongly influence the valorization of natural resources and environmental assets, which are fundamental if sustainable rural development is to take place under the emerging agro-energy scenario

Local Productive Arrangements for Biodiesel Production in Brazil – Environmental Assessment of Small-holder’s Integrated Oleaginous Crops Management

Sustainability assessments were carried out in small-holders’ farms in four territories where productive arrangements have been organized for production of minor oleaginous crops under the Brazilian biodiesel program. The study aimed at checking local impacts of the biodiesel productive chains at the rural establishment scale, and promoting the environmental performance of the selected farms, henceforth proposed as sustainable management demonstration units. Assessments were carried out with the APOIA-NovoRural system, which integrates 62 objective and quantitative indicators related to five sustainability dimensions: i) Landscape Ecology, ii) Environmental Quality (Atmosphere, Water and Soil), iii) Socio-cultural Values, iv) Economic Values and v) Management and Administration. The main results point out that, in general, the ecological dimensions of sustainability, that is, the Landscape Ecology and Atmosphere, Water, and Soil quality indicators, show adequate field conditions, seemingly not yet negatively affected by increases in chemical inputs and natural resources use predicted as important potential impacts of the agro-energy sector. The Economic Values indicators have been favorably influenced in the studied farms, due to a steadier demand and improved prices for the oleaginous crops. On the other hand, valuable positive consequences expected for favoring farmers’ market insertion, such as improved Socio-cultural Values and Management Administration indicators, are still opportunities to be materialized. The Environmental Management Reports issued to the farmers, based on the presented sustainability assessment procedures, offer valuable documentation and communication means for consolidating the organizational influence of the local productive arrangements studied. These productive arrangements were shown to be determinant for the selection of crop associations and diversification, as well as for the provision of technical assistance and the stabilization of demand - conditions that promote value aggregation and income improvements, favoring small-holders’ insertion in the market. More importantly, these locally organized productive arrangements have been shown to strongly influence the valorization of natural resources and environmental assets, which are fundamental if sustainable rural development is to take place under the emerging agro-energy scenario

GESTIÓN AMBIENTAL DE LOS SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES EN EL VALLE DE PARAÍBA DEL SUR, ESTADO DE SAO PAULO, BRASIL

En el año de 2011 se analizó el desempeño ambiental de la finca Coruputuba, en Pindamonhangaba, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. La metodología utilizada fué el sistema APOIA-NovoRural, con 62 indicadores de sustentabilidad en el contexto para el análisis de la implementación de los sistemas agroforestales con Calophyllum braziliense y Acacia mangium. Antes de la implementación de los sistemas agroforestales, la finca estuvo plantada con arroz en lo valle y eucalipto en las terrazas. Con el proyecto se logró sustituir 10 ha en el valle y 4 ha de terraza con Calophyllum, especie que ofrece una madera fina. Otra especie que se introdujo en la terraza fue la acacia (50 ha), sustituta del eucalipto. La finca aporta un valor agregado a la gestión dirigida a procesos de recuperación de la viabilidad económica y ambiental mediante el rescate de la vocación agrícola. Se fue reintroducido la Manihot esculenta, Maranta arundinaceae, Colocasia esculenta, Euterpe edulis, Musa sp., Cajanus cajan, y especies forestales en asociación con Calophyllum: Inga sp., Schinnus terebinthifolius, Alchornea triplinervia, Sesbania sp., repartidas entre 159 ha productivas y 50 ha para hábitats naturales de conservación. Las variables como efecto de los sistemas agroforestales estuvieron repartidas en suelos, caracteristicas productivas, apropiación y mejoramiento de las condicones de los trabajadores, aspectos ambientales y socioeconónicos que en conjunto arrojaron indices de desempeño para el sistema APOIA-NovoRural. Se encontraron contribuciones de los sistemas agroforestales para la sustentabilidad, destacándose la calidad del agua con índice (0,94) comparado con (0,85) obtenido en los sedimentos que drenan del cultivo de arroz; valores económicos (0,85) y de ecología del paisaje (0,77). El índice integrado medio, llegó a 0,79 en una escala de 0 a 10, con referencia de 0,70. La Finca Coruputuba estuvo entre los cinco valores más altos de desempeño ambiental de un universo de 178 casos

Impact Assessment of Information and Communication Technologies in Agriculture: : Application of The Ambitec-TICs Method

An extraordinary moment of agricultural modernization is currently underway due to innovations in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In this process, management precepts are renewed, fostering significant gains in efficiency, productivity, and sustainable use of natural resources and the environment. The growing supply of ICTs and the extension of connectivity in rural areas, with their transforming roles in productive practices and economic relations, bring about questions regarding their impacts. These technologies include precision positioning systems and large volume databases, electronic sensors of site-specific production and environmental conditions, repositories of relational data, statistical and crop forecasting software, methodologies and processes; web-based information services, among others. The assessment of impacts focused on ICTs for agriculture needs innovative approaches, due to the peculiarities of their applications, the different scales of their socioenvironmental scopes and, at the same time, the verification of effectiveness of institutional investments on research, development, and innovation (RD&I). Based on these premises, the objectives of this work are to present a ‘module of impact indicators for Information and Communication Technologies (Ambitec-TICs)’, and assess its application to six typical technology adoption cases resulting from agricultural RD&I projects. The results detail critical analyses of the contributions of the proposed module for the registration, interpretation, and communication of impacts, with recommendations for technology transfer and accountability in institutional Social Balance documentation

Sistema de Evaluación Ponderada de Impacto Ambiental (SEPIA) : Una herramienta de trabajo para la gestión sostenible de los territorios

La búsqueda de prácticas de producción sostenibles se presenta como un compromiso de los productores hacia la eficiencia productiva y el uso racional de los recursos naturales. Los métodos de evaluación de impacto ambiental implementados desde la acción participativa e interdisciplinaria, son herramientas apropiadas para canalizar un abordaje integral del desarrollo de las actividades agrícolas. El SEPIA (Sistema de Evaluación Ponderada de Impacto Ambiental) desarrollado por el INTA junto a EMBRAPA Meio Ambiente (Brasil), permite evaluar la sostenibilidad de los predios mediante la utilización de variables e indicadores establecidos. Su aplicación identifica puntos críticos para la corrección del manejo y ventajas comparativas del establecimiento rural. La elaboración de informes de gestión socio ambiental permite la implementación de mejoras detectadas en los diagnósticos prediales. Se destaca la necesidad del acompañamiento continuo al producto de los técnicos participantes en todo el proceso de mejora acordada.EEA San PedroFil: D´Angelcola, María Elena. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Gerencia Monitoreo y Evaluación; ArgentinaFil: Delprino, María Rosa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Rodrigues, Geraldo Stachetti. Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria. Embrapa Meio Ambiente; BrasilFil: Iolster, Pía. Consultora independiente; ArgentinaFil: Bernárdez, Alejandra Soledad. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Cuellas, Marisol Virginia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Área Metropolitana de Buenos Aires. Agencia de Extensión Rural La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Di Filippo, Maria Sol. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Dirección Nacional Asistente de Transferencia y Extensión; ArgentinaFil: Pagliaricci, Leandro Osvaldo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Pergamino; Argentin