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The Role of Small-Scale Biofuel Production in Brazil: Lessons for Developing Countries

Author

Listed:
  • Arielle Muniz Kubota

    (Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Planning (NIPE), University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-896, Brazil)

  • João Guilherme Dal Belo Leite

    (Federal University of the South Frontier (UFFS), Santa Catarina 89802-112, Brazil)

  • Marcos Watanabe

    (Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE)/Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-970, Brazil)

  • Otávio Cavalett

    (Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE)/Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-970, Brazil)

  • Manoel Regis Lima Verde Leal

    (Brazilian Bioethanol Science and Technology Laboratory (CTBE)/Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM), Campinas 13083-970, Brazil)

  • Luis Cortez

    (Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Planning (NIPE), University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-896, Brazil)

Abstract

Small-scale biofuel initiatives to produce sugarcane ethanol are claimed to be a sustainable opportunity for ethanol supply, particularly for regions with price-restricted or no access to modern biofuels, such as communities located far from the large ethanol production centers in Brazil and family-farm communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, respectively. However, smallholders often struggle to achieve economic sustainability with ethanol microdistilleries. The aim of this paper is to provide an assessment of the challenges faced by small-scale bioenergy initiatives and discuss the conditions that would potentially make these initiatives economically feasible. Ethanol microdistilleries were assessed through a critical discussion of existent models and through an economic analysis of different sugarcane ethanol production models. The technical-economic analysis showed that the lack of competitiveness against large-scale ethanol distillery, largely due to both low crop productivity and process efficiency, makes it unlikely that small-scale distilleries can compete in the national/international ethanol market without governmental policies and subsidies. Nevertheless, small-scale projects intended for local supply and integrated food–fuel systems seem to be an interesting alternative that can potentially make ethanol production in small farms viable as well as increase food security and project sustainability particularly for local communities in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Arielle Muniz Kubota & João Guilherme Dal Belo Leite & Marcos Watanabe & Otávio Cavalett & Manoel Regis Lima Verde Leal & Luis Cortez, 2017. "The Role of Small-Scale Biofuel Production in Brazil: Lessons for Developing Countries," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-12, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:7:y:2017:i:7:p:61-:d:105589
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Mayer, Flávio Dias & Feris, Liliana Amaral & Marcilio, Nilson Romeu & Hoffmann, Ronaldo, 2015. "Why small-scale fuel ethanol production in Brazil does not take off?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 687-701.
    4. Han, Jingyi & Mol, Arthur P.J. & Lu, Yonglong & Zhang, Lei, 2008. "Small-scale bioenergy projects in rural China: Lessons to be learnt," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 2154-2162, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Aicha Ait Sair & Kamal Kansou & Franck Michaud & Bernard Cathala, 2021. "Multicriteria Definition of Small-Scale Biorefineries Based on a Statistical Classification," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-18, June.
    2. Mauro Lizot & Flavio Trojan & Paulo Afonso, 2021. "Combining Total Cost of Ownership and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis to Improve Cost Management in Family Farming," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Sileshi Degefa & Osamu Saito, 2017. "Assessing the Impacts of Large-Scale Agro-Industrial Sugarcane Production on Biodiversity: A Case Study of Wonji Shoa Sugar Estate, Ethiopia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 7(12), pages 1-15, December.

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