Sugarcane burning and perspectives for harvesters in Macatuba, São Paulo

Abstract

Law no. 11241/2002 of the State of São Paulo prohibits sugarcane burning before harvest because of its high environmental and health impacts. Initially, burning should be gradually eliminated by 2031. Later, an agreement between the State Government and the Sugarcane Industry Union reduced this deadline to 2017. Sugarcane harvesting without burning requires more effort and reduces labor productivity, favoring the adoption of mechanical harvest. The absence of burning favors health and the environment; however, little is known about what will happen to harvesters as a consequence of the introduction of mechanical harvesters. This article aims to analyze this picture of uncertainties about what will happen to this population based on their point of view. During the sugarcane harvest period in 2006, questionnaires were administered to 40 harvesters, of different ages and genders, at their homes or on the street, in the Jardim America neighborhood, in Macatuba, State of São Paulo. Questions referred to social and economic aspects of their lives, health, knowledge of the Law and work perspectives. Interviewed workers presented a dilemma between clean air and work perspectives. Many of them do not receive incentives to work in other sectors, in spite of the fact that most of them like the city where they live and are interested in continuing to develop agricultural activities.