Abstract

ANDERSON, Teresa; PAUL, Helena  and  RODRIGUEZ, Guadalupe. The agrocombustibles and the myth of marginal lands. Polis [online]. 2008, vol.7, n.21, pp. 19-35. ISSN 0718-6568.  doi: 10.4067/S0718-65682008000200002.

The authors debate that agrocombustibles production policies are actually destined to «marginal», lands, since in reality they constitute vital lands for peasants or belong to local natives. He points out that marginal land for some is vital for others, the ones that, as usual, will see restricted their lands and sources of life, that will pass to agrocombustibles entrepreneurs. He then notifies that this will also bring negative environment consequences. Finally he questions some myths on its effects on production and employment. Four case studies are also enclosed.

Keywords : agrocombustibles; marginal lands; environment; rural.