Open AccessThe Programa Nacional de Produção e Uso de Biodiesel (PNPB) (National Programme for Biodiesel Production and Use) was created for the production of biodiesel in a sustainable way, and it adopts as its guidelines the creation of jobs and income, social inclusion, focusing on family farming, on production of oil and raw materials and reducing regional disparities. In this context, the general purpose of the study is to analyze the family farming on PNPB in the region of Quixadá (in the State of Ceará), based on the dimensions of local sustainable development. The research is classified as an exploratory and descriptive research to be developed from a qualitative approach. The survey’s resulting data were analyzed according to content analysis. The results show that, from the perspective of local sustainable development, the PNPB has weaknesses that vary from administrative and bureaucratic processes, financial incentives, lack of infrastructure, investment in technology and machinery and training, incentives in social networks and cooperatives, actions aimed at environmental education, political movements social inclusion, and valorization of local culture. Farmers admitted that there is a Government effort and focus to provide increased income for farmers in this region but, due to these weaknesses, it is evident that there is no sustainable development in its full dimensions, causing discrepancies from the farmer’s results and the objectives stipulated in PNPB. Therefore, it is necessary to create policies that encourage the participation of all in decision making and involvement of PNPB.