The assessment of the environmental impact of agriculture-animal husbandry integration: environmental conservation aspect in 'Cerrado'

摘要

The practice of agriculture and cattle raising produces waste, and as a result it can create environmental impacts. Therefore, it is necessary to assess, predict, and lessen the environmental impact for the sustainability of this activity and protection of ecosystems with the intention to fulfil such needs, the Brazilian Agricultural Research Agency (EMBRAPA) has proposed a system, the Environmental Impact Assessment of Agricultural Technology Innovations (Ambitec-Agro). Among countless technological innovations, the agriculture animal husbandry integration was selected which aims to improve the production of farming products in deteriorated areas; intensifying the use of land; and reclaming and renovating agricultural areas and pastures to guarantee agricultural sustainability. Based on a case study, this work aimed to make the assessment of the environmental impact caused by technology innovation of the animal husbandry integration in unirrigated and irrigated areas by applying the Ambitec-Agro system. The assessment of the environmental impact of animal husbandry integration, in the environmental conservation aspect was satisfactory, thus significative and positive indices were obtained in relation to water quality, soil quality and biodiversity in the scope of the studied establishment.