​Brazilian sugar-energy sector resumes growth in 2017

The Brazilian sugar-energy sector should recover and resume its growth in 2017. Indications from the sugar market indicate that the price of the compound should remain high, as happened in 2016. “It is a product in great demand across the planet, even more so with population growth”, says professor Octávio Valsechi, professor at the Department of Agroindustrial Technology and Rural Socioeconomics (DTAiSER) at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar).

The alcohol market is also on the rise. In 21, the Paris Climate Summit (COP 2015) approved the first global extension agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions and deal with the impacts of climate change. In other words, all countries will have to use renewable fuels and alcohol is the best example in replacing fossil fuels, such as gasoline. “People from all over the world come to Brazil to study what we did. This commitment to reducing emissions is a great boost for the appreciation of alcohol and a fantastic showcase for the country. It is a new phase for the sector, which must be faced with a new mentality”, believes Valsechi.
For the UFSCar professor, what is saving Brazil from the crisis is the agricultural sector, with emphasis on sugar cane, which is always at the top of the products that generate the most taxes. In agribusiness in the State of São Paulo alone, sugarcane currently represents half of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the sum in monetary values ​​of all final goods and services produced.
With the appreciation of sugarcane products, a larger part of the sector will have a more balanced cash flow this year, which will allow for more investments and the hiring of new professionals. One of the direct reflections of this resumption is the high number of searches for the 13th class of the Master of Technology Administration (MTA) in Industrial Sugarcane Management, offered by UFSCar, an institution that, today, has expertise in sugarcane production technology in the world, contributing to the consolidation of ethanol in Brazil.
The postgraduate course, which is completing 10 years, is a reference in the area. During the course, everything from the management and development of sugarcane varieties, through the industrial market, to project development and innovation is covered. “People are becoming aware that better qualifications offer greater chances of good positions in the job market”, says Valsechi, who is also the course coordinator.
Interested parties can register until March 9th by filling out the registration form available atwww.mta.ufscar.br. The form must be sent together with the Curriculum Vitae to email mta@cca.ufscar.br. There are few vacancies available. The selection of candidates will be made through curriculum analysis. Classes will be taught in Sertãozinho (SP), on the premises of the Corporate University of the Sugar and Energy Sector (Uniceise), in fortnightly meetings, which take place on Saturdays. The course, lasting 1 year and 8 months, is in partnership with the National Center for Industries of the Sugar-Energy and Biofuels Sector (Ceise-BR) and the management of FAI.UFSCar (Foundation for Institutional Support for Scientific and Technological Development of the Federal University of São Carlos).