Sustainable development and agribusiness: a necessary coexistence for a promising future.

Abstract

The debate about the apparent opposition between environmental preservation and economic development has been polarized. However, the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 enshrines both as fundamental rights, laying the foundations for sustainable development, notably in Article 170, item VI. This article analyzes the necessary coexistence between agribusiness, a sector of undeniable importance to the national economy, and the imperatives of sustainability. Based on a review of the literature and documentation, including the analysis of reports such as those from the IPCC and MapBiomas, it is demonstrated that the agri-food sector is one of the main vectors of pressure on the environment, contributing significantly to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is argued that the dichotomy between production and preservation is fallacious, since the real obstacles to the sector's growth lie in structural issues, such as inequality in land distribution and lack of infrastructure, and not in environmental regulations. Finally, the crucial role of the Public Prosecutor's Office as a driver of public policies and sustainable practices is highlighted, through preventive action that can reconcile environmental and developmental values, promoting efficient environmental management.