SUSTAINABILITY IN THE FIELD: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERFORMANCE OF RURAL PRODUCERS AND INCENTIVE POLICIES

Abstract

Sustainability in agriculture has become essential for the future of agricultural production and environmental preservation, considering the strategic role of rural producers in maintaining ecological balance, the regional economy, and food security. The adoption of sustainable practices—such as the rational use of water, integrated pest management, crop rotation, and the recovery of degraded areas—is indispensable to guarantee productivity without compromising natural resources. Article 225 of the 1988 Federal Constitution ensures the right to a balanced environment, imposing duties of preservation on the public authorities and the community, serving as the basis for Brazilian environmental policies. The Forest Code (Law No. 12.651/2012) reinforces these principles by providing economic incentives for conservation practices, while Law No. 12.187/2009, which establishes the National Policy on Climate Change, promotes sustainable agriculture through the ABC+ Plan (Low Carbon Agriculture), regulated by Decree No. 10.828/2021. Law No. 14,119/2021, which creates the National Policy for Payment for Environmental Services, values ​​rural producers as agents of ecosystem preservation, guaranteeing financial compensation for the conservation of natural resources. Despite regulatory advances and incentive programs, challenges persist, such as the high cost of sustainable technologies and unequal access to financing. Thus, the consolidation of agricultural sustainability depends on the integration between the State, producers, and research institutions, configuring itself as a model of lasting economic, environmental, and social development.