Maintaining Brazil's ethanol fuel momentum

Brazil created the National Alcohol Program in 1975, with multiple strategies to develop an indigenous ethanol industry and to phase out fossil fuels for transportation. These efforts enabled the country to emerge as the world's most efficient and second-largest ethanol producer. The country's domestically produced ethanol accounted for about 50% of its gasoline use and was equivalent to 1% of the world's vehicle fuel needs. It also exported about 16% of its ethanol to countries around the world. The country continued to explore new ways to emerge as a leading competitor in the world energy economy, while meeting its own needs. The Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply were involved in these efforts. Ministry of Science initiated its 'Action Plan 2007-2010 for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI)' to achieve these objectives.