A Collaborative, Systems Approach for the Development of Biomass-Based Value Webs: The Case of the Acrocomia Palm

Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero, Thomas Hilger (), Karen Tiede, Carolin Callenius, Johannes Mössinger, Roney Souza, Juan Carlos Barroso Armas, Frank Rasche and Iris Lewandowski
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Ricardo Vargas-Carpintero: Department of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Thomas Hilger: Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Karen Tiede: Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE), University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 43, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Carolin Callenius: Research Center for Global Food Security and Ecosystems (GFE), University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 43, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Johannes Mössinger: UNIQUE—Forestry and Land Use GmbH, Schnewlinstraße 10, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Juan Carlos Barroso Armas: Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Frank Rasche: Department of Agronomy in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e), University of Hohenheim, Garbenstr. 13, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Iris Lewandowski: Department of Biobased Resources in the Bioeconomy (340b), University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstr. 23, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-31

Abstract: The diversification of biomass resources is key to the transition towards a bioeconomy. Acrocomia spp., a neotropical genus of palms, is an example of plants’ diversity potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. Acrocomia’s adaptability to environments outside rainforests, its specific fruit properties and high yields has generated the interest of researchers and entrepreneurs, triggering its introduction as a multipurpose oil crop. Developing sustainability-oriented and knowledge-based acrocomia value webs requires a collaborative, systems approach from the outset. Fostering an inter- and transdisciplinary dialogue on acrocomia through a participatory workshop with both academic and non-academic actors contributed to this endeavor. This allowed the identification of priorities, knowledge gaps, and stakeholder roles, and served as the basis for the co-creation of a research and development roadmap. Key steps for the introduction of acrocomia include intertwined technical aspects relating to the development of planting material, cultivation systems, processing technologies and applications, market entry, and value web governance aspects. A broad collaboration among scientists, the public and private sectors, farmers, and civil society, is required for the development of acrocomia value webs. The incorporation of sustainability and a consideration of context in the design and development phases are fundamental to fostering the sustainable performance of acrocomia value webs.

Keywords: Acrocomia spp.; Acrocomia aculeata; bioeconomy; biomass-based value web; biobased value chain; agricultural value chain; agroforestry; biorefinery; macaw palm; macaúba; coyol; mbokajá; minor crops; novel crops; oil crops; palms; systems approach; social-ecological systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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