LEGAL ASPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF CROP-LIVESTOCK-FORESTRY INTEGRATION: PATHS TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY IN SANTA HELENA DE GOIÁS

Abstract

Agricultural activities have always played a strategic role in the Brazilian economy, especially in the state of Goiás. However, the advancement of these production practices has generated significant environmental impacts, making the adoption of sustainable models in rural areas urgent. Therefore, this research focused on analyzing public policies that encourage Integrated Crop-Livestock-Forestry (ILPF) in the municipality of Santa Helena de Goiás. The legal issue investigated consisted of verifying whether the local government has fulfilled its constitutional duty to promote sustainable agricultural practices by formulating and implementing policies aimed at adopting ILPF as a sustainable rural development strategy. Based on the hypothesis that ILPF, if encouraged by appropriate regulatory and institutional instruments, can reconcile productivity and environmental preservation, the study's objectives were to analyze existing legislation at the federal, state, and municipal levels; identify local initiatives focused on agro-environmental sustainability; and propose measures for implementing or strengthening ILPF in the municipality. The methodology adopted was qualitative, with a bibliographical, documentary, and empirical approach, based on interviews with government officials, experts, and producers. The data were analyzed in light of the literature on agroecology, sustainability, and the Democratic Environmental Rule of Law. The conclusion was that, although there is social interest and favorable technical conditions, specific municipal public policies to promote ILPF are lacking. The final products were a technical note and a draft municipal decree, aimed at structuring the normative and institutional framework for local policies to promote ILPF.