Brazil has about a 30 year jump on the rest of the world especially when it comes to ethanol production. In particular, Brazil already has over 300 ethanol plants and another 100 in the planning stages. Brazil's ethanol industry gained momentum in the 1970s, when the first oil shock forced the military government to look for some way to deal with a lack of local sources of energy and heavy import bills. Along these lines, sugar companies were granted cut-rate loans to build ethanol plants and guaranteed prices. Brazil is now totally energy independent thanks to ethanol which provides about 40% of the country's fuel demands. Brazil can make ethanol for around $1 a gallon. Brazilians embrace ethanol as their fuel of choice. Brazil has over 6 million hectares of sugarcane production and another 3 million+ coming into production over the next few years and a total capacity for upwards of 35 million hectares. On the Smart Food and Fuel tour we will take an in-depth look at the successful strategy that has made Brazil a world leader in biofuels. We will tour ethanol plants, getting a firsthand look at infrastructure, and we will gain insights into Brazil's national biofuels strategy and key factors supporting its successful implementation. While the biofuels business in Argentina is still in its infancy, interest is growing rapidly. In April, 2006, a law promoting the development of biofuel was sanctioned and represents an important start. The main objective is to stimulate the production of energy alternatives. In four years, all fuel must include a minimum of 5% of vegetable derivatives. In September, a group lead by Hungarian financier and philanthropist George Soros announced an investment of "between 250 and 300 million dollars" to develop biofuels from corn and sugar cane in Santa Fe province. The project would employ 1,300 people directly, and between 8,000 and 10,000 people indirectly, with an anticipated annual production of 200 million liters. The Soros group is already involved in cattle, soy, corn, wheat, sunflower, and milk production in Argentina. Everyone on The Smart Food and Fuel Tour will learn more about this increasingly important segment of the South American agricultural industry. Those with a special interest can sign up for the Biofuel Option, focusing on the topic for several days. More About Brazil More About Argentina