Análise do Programa “Produtor de Águas” : no contexto dos projetos de Pagamentos por Serviços Ambientais (PSA) implementados no Brasil

Brazil does not have a great prominence in Payments for Environmental Services (PES) systems. The PES model is an economic instrument that rewards farmers who maintain or expand environmental services, and do not represent an agricultural subsidy. The Water Producer Program was designed by the National Water Agency (ANA), to encourage soil conservation and native forests restoration in priority areas for water resources conservation through PES schemes. The objective of this work is to analyze the initiatives of PES in Brazil and gather information relevant to the programs implemented using the program guidelines cited. It was found that the methodology for measuring environmental benefits generated by the control of diffuse pollution is the basis for a PES program. The method focuses on erosion control, based on the universal soil loss equation and considers nutrients and pesticides are transported in the same proportion that the eroded sediments. The main challenge of the program for its implementation is the identification of funding sources capable of ensuring the effective payment of incentives. Millions of people will benefit from the outcomes of the implemented projects, due to the availability of better quality water.