POTENTIAL UTILIZATION OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT (LCA) METHODOLOGY TO FOSTER ORGANIC PRODUCTION CONCEPTS WITHIN BRAZILIAN TRADITIONAL SMALL FARMS

Abstract

This paper discusses potential environmental assessment and market access tools necessary to foster the utilization of organic agriculture techniques within Brazilian traditional small farms. The basic idea of this approach is to improve regional development by promoting local market systems that not only accommodate differences in land resources, scale and agro-ecological conditions, but also addresses important issues like decreasing number of farms, employment, rural poverty and food insecurity. The main objective of this study is based on the potential that organic products market represents for small holding agriculture viability, introducing the belief that social well being and food security needs to be considered in the organic market economy. On this regard, a two-step approach will be carried out. First, Life Cycle Assessment methodology will be customized for assessing all relevant impacts on a typical traditional small farm complex. The second step will analyze the framework for implementation of a certification program to characterize the organic agriculture production method.