For the last five centuries, Brazilian sugar cane has been harvested by hand via the traditional method of field hands setting fire to the brush and then descending upon the harvest with their machetes. This, however, is quickly changing, as more than half of Sao Paulo, Brazil's' largest sugar-producing state, harvested with machines during the 09/10 season. This transition was driven both by increased competition and tougher environmental laws. Brazil is tremendously successful in its sugar cane production, and hopes to further expand its international market, but to do this, it has to keep up with regards to efficiency. In addition, the Brazilian government has instituted new environmental laws that discourage the practice of first burning the fields before harvest. Setting fire to the fields clears out the underbrush and runs out the mice and snakes before workers go in to harvest, but these fires also contribute exorbitant greenhouse emissions and unnecessary air pollution. Moreover, the country wants to be above reproach by other countries for its environmental practices, if it aims to expand its international market.
But there's a downside to all of this. First, one harvesting machine can replace 300 workers, increasing efficiency dramatically, but at the same time putting hundreds of people out of work. And second, the pressures by small farmers to purchase the expensive farming equipment often prove to be too much. The initial investment farmers must make in purchasing a harvester is rather high, and though this is a boon to machine manufactures, many smaller farmers are unable to provide even sufficient collateral.These small farmers, unable to afford the pricey machinery, are forced to enter into partnerships with larger companies, or to search for a new line of work. Furthermore, the government is aiming to completely phase out cane cutting by hand by 2014, making urgent the switch to machinery.
Sucks, doesn't it?
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