G. Solidario de Souza Benatti | TU Delft Repository

Macaw palm (Acrocomia spp.)

An opportunity for including smallholders in Brazil's biodiesel production

Journal article (2025) - Gabriela Solidario de Souza Benatti, Antônio Márcio Buainain, Pedro Gilberto Cavalcante Filho, Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, Lotte Asveld, Patricia Osseweijer

Promoting inclusive development through public policies is a complex task that presents different challenges and even controversies. The National Program for Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB) in Brazil is one example of an effort to promote sustainable development within an inclusive strategy with good intentions but many challenges. One of the PNPB goals is to diversify feedstocks for biodiesel production, and oils from the Acrocomia spp. palm genus have the potential to meet this goal. As acrocomia's value chain is under development in Brazil, particularly with a focus on the macaúba palm (Acrocomia aculeata), and in different regions of Latin America, we state that it is possible to develop it with the inclusion of smallholder farmers. In this sense, this paper focuses on analyzing the challenges and opportunities for smallholder productive inclusion in the value chain. Our main question is: How can the participation of smallholders in the cultivation of macaw palm be promoted? The answer to this question is based on literature and field research carried out by the authors. Our study finds opportunities for inclusion, but also four main challenges to be considered with caution: i) the shift from agroextractivism to commercial plantations, ii) the limited acreage available to some small farmers, iii) the slow pace in generating economic results, and iv) negative past experiences with other crops. We emphasize the importance of development strategies that offer incentives, mitigate risks, and guarantee greater security in decision-making for those involved. The available literature about the acrocomia value chain focuses mainly on technical and agronomic aspects, with few outputs on inclusion. In this sense, this paper calls attention to the development of the novel biobased value chains from the acrocomia palm without leaving social responsibility behind. ...

Productive inclusion of smallholders in the Brazilian biodiesel value chain: a path of challenges and opportunities

Doctoral thesis (2024) - G. Solidario de Souza Benatti

This doctoral dissertation delves into the complex challenge of smallholder productive inclusion within the biodiesel value chain in Brazil. The focus is on the National Policy for Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB) and its instrument to promote smallholder inclusion: the Social Biofuel Seal (SBS). Productive inclusion of smallholders in value chains can be a strategy for poverty alleviation and resilient and inclusive development. However, the concept of productive inclusion is not clearly defined in the literature, and it is not yet a priority in most policies aimed at the transition to a bioeconomy. One of the outputs of this thesis is to define the concept in a way that suits the discussions regarding inclusive biobased value chains. The research poses the question of "how can governance enhance smallholder inclusion in biobased value chains in Brazil, emphasizing the promotion of stable employment, income generation, and fair economic risk distribution among stakeholders?". The experience of PNPB illustrates that managing the tension between immediate needs and long-term goals is a significant challenge. Although PNPB and SBS have made strides in promoting inclusive biobased value chains, achieving the anticipated results is complicated due to the complexity of productive inclusion, the Brazilian context, and the policies themselves. The study underscores the importance of addressing both technological advancement and economic viability, as well as the impacts on local communities, social structures, and cultural dynamics, to prevent adverse outcomes like exclusion. It also highlights the need to confront historical injustices and power imbalances to achieve smallholder productive inclusion. State capability development is crucial for supporting smallholder productive inclusion goals. PNPB's experience showcases the importance of institutional, political, regulatory, and coordination capabilities. The study argues for adaptive and participative governance arrangements to progress the energy transition while prioritizing inclusion as a long-term goal. ...

This doctoral dissertation delves into the complex challenge of smallholder productive inclusion within the biodiesel value chain in Brazil. The focus is on the National Policy for Biodiesel Production and Use (PNPB) and its instrument to promote smallholder inclusion: the Social Biofuel Seal (SBS). Productive inclusion of smallholders in value chains can be a strategy for poverty alleviation and resilient and inclusive development. However, the concept of productive inclusion is not clearly defined in the literature, and it is not yet a priority in most policies aimed at the transition to a bioeconomy. One of the outputs of this thesis is to define the concept in a way that suits the discussions regarding inclusive biobased value chains. The research poses the question of "how can governance enhance smallholder inclusion in biobased value chains in Brazil, emphasizing the promotion of stable employment, income generation, and fair economic risk distribution among stakeholders?". The experience of PNPB illustrates that managing the tension between immediate needs and long-term goals is a significant challenge. Although PNPB and SBS have made strides in promoting inclusive biobased value chains, achieving the anticipated results is complicated due to the complexity of productive inclusion, the Brazilian context, and the policies themselves. The study underscores the importance of addressing both technological advancement and economic viability, as well as the impacts on local communities, social structures, and cultural dynamics, to prevent adverse outcomes like exclusion. It also highlights the need to confront historical injustices and power imbalances to achieve smallholder productive inclusion. State capability development is crucial for supporting smallholder productive inclusion goals. PNPB's experience showcases the importance of institutional, political, regulatory, and coordination capabilities. The study argues for adaptive and participative governance arrangements to progress the energy transition while prioritizing inclusion as a long-term goal.

The role of participation in the responsible innovation framework for biofuels projects

Can it be assessed?

Journal article (2020) - Andreia Marques Postal, Gabriela Benatti, Mar Palmeros Parada, Lotte Asveld, Patrícia Osseweijer, José Maria F.J. Da Silveira

The growth in biofuels’ investment brings with it concerns about the social and environmental impacts of the sector. Several tools and frameworks have been used to address these concerns, including the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) framework. This paper analyzes whether this framework can be applied in contexts where local culture and values shape differently the freedom of speech and engagement, such as in developing countries in which biofuel innovation projects are often implemented. A literature review focused on eight case studies of other authors was used to explore the role of “participation” as a structural element of the RRI framework and the impact of its absence where effective participation in the innovation development process is not possible. In conclusion, we highlight how this inspirational normative framework, designed to influence innovation, is misused to judge its impacts. More than that, the conclusions of such misused applications reflect more the difficulties involved in applying guidelines than the responsible character of the innovation, whose impacts are usually defined upfront materially and measurably. ...