PSXVI-7 - Sustainability Index Approach of the Brazilian Pampa Biome

Abstract: The need to increase food production resulting from agricultural activities is a major challenge for farmers. Thus, evaluating production systems from a sustainability perspective has become a priority in the Brazilian Pampa biome. in the last decade there has been an increase of croplands, soybean areas, and a decrease in rangelands from beef cattle production systems. This study connected to land use change, such as soil and water conservation; to an economic context, where the revenues and incomes are earned from different source. The aim of the study was to elaborate an index able to measure sustainability at farm-level. This index was developed to be adhered to the Brazilian Pampa biome context by the consultancy to perceptions of experts. The Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems guidelines, developed by the FAO, was used as reference for the indicators that formed the sustainability index (iSus). After the selection of indicators, experts were consulted to judge their priorities according to the analytic hierarchy process methodology. An electronic form was developed through Google Forms and sent to experts from each region to judge the priorities for the dimensions, themes, and indicators. The selected dimensions did not present differences, demonstrating that in the perception of the experts, no dimension has priority. The investment (economic dimension), human health and safety (social dimension), and land and water (environmental dimension), had priority within the dimensions. In the indicator analysis, there were no differences between the perceptions of the experts. It was possible to define groups of indicators as high, medium, and low priority. Water management, safety and health, and net revenue had the highest priority in perception of the experts. The rating of priorities brought adherence from a regional context to the index. The incorporation of an iSus can contribute to broad actions to increase sustainability in beef cattle production systems. The utilization of the index will allow that basic premises of sustainability could be measured and identified.