This master’s thesis analyzes how family farmers integrated into the oil palm agro-industry perceive reforestation processes. This theme came about through the suggestion that the implementation of the national program for the production and use of biodiesel (pnpb) for agrofuel production in brazil would bring forth environmental benefits. The program was the main driver of oil palm expansion in the amazonian state of pará. Among its guidelines, it is stated that the oil palm cultivation is sustainable and a possible means of recuperating degraded areas through reforestation. Research for this study included the collection of secondary and primary data in the municipality of irituia, located in the northeastern region of pará. It also included data collection on the history of reforestation in brazil. Environmental laws and scientific papers were reviewed to analyze under which circumstances reforestation is recommended and implemented, and the concepts and definitions employed in these discussions. Results are presented in two articles. The first analyzes the arrival of oil palm cultivation in irituia and local actors’ initial reactions, describing their motivations for adopting or rejecting this activity. The second reveals actors’ perceptions surrounding notions of reforestation according to different world views. The study concludes that oil palm cultivation in irituia was received with divergent attitudes that persist until today between those who defend the activity and those who oppose it. Some view it as a way to earn income and improve their quality of life, while others, who oppose the activity, believe that the activity is not fitting to the local reality. Regarding reforestation, interested groups worked to legalize oil palm cultivation to fit into this category. Farmers who compare current oil palm areas with the previous land-use types (pastures or young fallows) believe that it is pertinent to claim that oil palm fulfils the role of reforestation, since oil palm plantations provide benefits, such as shade, improving the micro-climate and hosting animals, even if they are limited to rodents, snakes and spiders.
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