Biofuels and sugarcane in Veracruz, Mexico: perspectives and socio-environmental risks

Mexico has a regulatory framework since 2008 to boost the produc­tion of bioenergy, but this has not been yet significantly increased; However, there are regions and states concerned to take the lead, as is the state of Veracruz, where the state government promotes the planting of crops for the production of biofuels, as well as, the industrial restructuring of the utilization of the sugar cane. The region of Cordoba-Paso del Macho represents an area of high interest because 9 of the 18 state mills are located there and 3 bioethanol producing companies are established. The purpose of this study was to analyze the state policy on biofuels, primarily with energy cane, its socio-economic scope and posible socio-environmental externalities when becoming pro­ducing regions. A documentary, bibliographic and hemerographic analysis of publications on the subject from 2009 to 2013 was conducted. We visited this region in the months of July-August 2011, conducting participatory work­shops in 3 communities, as well as, 20 semi-structured interviews with various actors involved in the sugar cane production. The results revealed that Veracruz lacks a com­prehensive energy project in spite of its significant oil reserves. In addi­tion, the results show that such state heavily relies on attracting foreign investment, hindering the transition towards an energy policy based on renewable resources and local envi­ronmental, technological and social capacities. Agrofuels represent a regional alternative, in small and medium-scale for the production of biofuels. Nevertheless, regulatory mechanisms must be established to ensure the diversified use of the soil, to preserve the food supply and to prevent it from becoming more expensive. Furthermore, it is required to consider the social profitability and to establish strict control mechanisms to preserve the protected natural areas.