Analysis, Design and Implementation of Biodiesel Projects in Brazil

During the oil crisis of the seventies, Brazil has developed a successful program for gasoline substitution by ethanol (Proálcool). Nowadays the biomass accounts for 27% of total national energy consumed in Brazil and the ethanol participates with 40% of the total national fuel consumption of Otto cycle vehicles. In 2004, the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (Biodiesel Program) was launched. One priority of the Biodiesel Program is the inclusion of family agriculture and smallholders into the production chain. The Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) has developed a software for the analysis of biodiesel projects with the participation of family agriculture. Results of production chain analysis and economic indicators calculated by the Biosoft system have allowed identifying the regular supply of oil at competitive prices as the key point to the efficiency of biodiesel production chains. The use of oil cake as feedstock is the leverage point of chain performance. The meal sale can lead to a vegetal oil price reduction, without compromising farmers´ income, since they can be able to set up their own oil extraction plants. Coordination is then the critical element and has the potential to improve the performance of both the biodiesel industry and the animal production chain.Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Industrial Organization,

Investment Decision in Vegetable Oil Extraction Plants in North of Minas Gerais – Brazil: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Biodiesel Production Chain

In line with the social objectives of the PNPB (Brazilian Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel) and its “Social Seal” Framework, PETROBRAS has set up a 57 million liter/year biodiesel plant in the semi arid region of North of Minas Gerais State, where the socioeconomics indicators are very unfavorable. Despite the potential to boost the agricultural and agroindustrial sector, the biodiesel plant is using mainly soybean oil from other regions. Funded by the Minas Gerais Government, the ongoing project aims to contribute to the development of oilseed supply chain in the North of Minas Gerais. To deal with these socioeconomic complex decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Organization models were proposed for the following production chain: i) castor seed, ii) jatropha, iii) sunflower seed, iv) cotton seed, v) macaw palm and vi) soybean. For each chain, investment alternatives were analysed using the software BiodieselFAO. The organizational models and economic results will be discussed with the stakeholder in a workshop, when the alternatives will be selected. Partial results of the project demonstrate that the lack of trust between the stakeholders is the main challenge to the organization of the production chains. The AHP methodology has been proved to be adequate to accomplish the project objectives. Further researches on production chain modeling and building are, especially for the bioenergy sector, highly opportune

Condicionantes da competitividade da cadeia de produção suinícola na região de Pará de Minas - MG

This study aimed to identify the determinants of the Pará de Minas pork meat chain competitiviness as well as suggest actions to improve it. The chain analysis was based on the Silva e Batalha (1999) methodology, and it was extended by the development of a S.W.O.T. analysis. The main chain strengths were related to the presence of cooperatives and a well developed communication infrastructure. However, its main weaknesses were related to the low level of farmer’s collective production sell, and lack of cooperative culture among farmers. The prejudice of the Brazilian population regarding to the consuption of pork meat was considered the main obstacle against the chain development as well as the environmental laws. However, some important opportunities were identified, such as potential for per capita pork meat consumption increase, gains regarding to the Kyoto Protocol and the existence of a potential market for the pork chain subproducts. Some actions were suggested as a way to increase chain competitiveness such as improvement of the cooperatives’ services, information sharing and distribution and farm management area, and environmental compliance of the farms.Pork meat, Competitiveness, Production Chain, Pará de Minas - MG, Agribusiness,

Análise de arranjos para extração de óleos vegetais e suprimento de usina de biodiesel

This study aimed at the technical-economical evaluation of implanting some vegetal-oil extraction units in order to insert the family agriculture into bio-diesel production chain. Three project models (arrangements) for vegetal-oil extraction units at different sizes were proposed, using extraction by pressing and mixed extraction (extracting by either pressing or solvent) and different raw materials (castor-oil and soybean). For the size analysis, the oil production scales between 50/60 tons/day were used with real market data concerning investments, inputs prices of the process, raw materials and vegetal oil. For the economic analyses, the software BioSoft was used. The BioSoft is a program for supporting the decision-making process, which was developed through analyzing units of bio-diesel production, and it was adapted to evaluate units of vegetal oil extraction. It was concluded that the unit of chemical extraction producing castor and soybean oils shows more satisfactory results. However, this model presents less social return because the number of the families involved is lower, once, in using soybean, it operates with only 50% of raw material deriving from family agriculture.Vegetal oil, Extraction, Viability, Crop Production/Industries, L25, D81, L69.,

Investment Decision in Vegetable Oil Extraction Plants in North of Minas Gerais – Brazil: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Biodiesel Production Chain

In line with the social objectives of the PNPB (Brazilian Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel) and its “Social Seal” Framework, PETROBRAS has set up a 57 million liter/year biodiesel plant in the semi‐arid region of North of Minas Gerais State, where the socioeconomics indicators are very unfavorable. Despite the potential to boost the agricultural and agro‐industrial sector, the biodiesel plant is using mainly soybean oil from other regions. Funded by the Minas Gerais Government, the ongoing project aims to contribute to the development of oilseed supply chain in the North of Minas Gerais. To deal with these socioeconomic complex decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Organization models were proposed for the following production chain : i) castor seed, ii) jatropha, iii) sunflower seed, iv) cotton seed, v) macaw palm and vi) soybean. For each chain, investment alternatives were analysed using the software BiodieselFAO. The organizational models and economic results will be discussed with the stakeholder in a workshop, when the alternatives will be selected. Partial results of the project demonstrate that the lack of trust between the stakeholders is the main challenge to the organization of the production chains. The AHP methodology has been proved to be adequate to accomplish the project objectives. Further researches on production chain modeling and building are, especially for the bioenergy sector, highly opportune

Investment Decision in Vegetable Oil Extraction Plants in North of Minas Gerais – Brazil: An Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in a Biodiesel Production Chain

In line with the social objectives of the PNPB (Brazilian Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel) and its “Social Seal” Framework, PETROBRAS has set up a 57 million liter/year biodiesel plant in the semi‐arid region of North of Minas Gerais State, where the socioeconomics indicators are very unfavorable. Despite the potential to boost the agricultural and agro‐industrial sector, the biodiesel plant is using mainly soybean oil from other regions. Funded by the Minas Gerais Government, the ongoing project aims to contribute to the development of oilseed supply chain in the North of Minas Gerais. To deal with these socioeconomic complex decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Organization models were proposed for the following production chain: i) castor seed, ii) jatropha, iii) sunflower seed, iv) cotton seed, v) macaw palm and vi) soybean. For each chain, investment alternatives were analysed using the software BiodieselFAO. The organizational models and economic results will be discussed with the stakeholder in a workshop, when the alternatives will be selected. Partial results of the project demonstrate that the lack of trust between the stakeholders is the main challenge to the organization of the production chains. The AHP methodology has been proved to be adequate to accomplish the project objectives. Further researches on production chain modeling and building are, especially for the bioenergy sector, highly opportune.biodiesel, oil extraction, AHP, North of Minas, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Financial Economics, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Production Economics, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,

Aplicação de sistema de apoio à decisão no planejamento de pequenas propriedades produtoras de leite da microrregião de Viçosa - MG

A pecuária de leite nacional, nos últimos anos, vem passando por importantes transformações, impulsionadas pela necessidade de adaptação dos sistemas de produção de leite a um ambiente de maior competição. Diante desse cenário, este estudo buscou desenvolver um sistema de apoio à decisão (SAD) para auxiliar na alocação de recursos de pequenas propriedades produtoras de leite da microrregião de Viçosa - MG, visando à melhoria da rentabilidade na atividade leiteira. O sistema desenvolvido permite alocar os recursos (terra, mão-de-obra e animais) disponíveis, para a maximização da margem bruta anual por meio de um modelo de programação linear, e facilita a análise econômica dos sistemas de produção, mediante uma planilha de custo que é gerada pelos resultados do modelo. O SAD foi testado com dados de uma propriedade típica da região e mostrou-se útil na comparação de estratégias diferenciadas, no planejamento ótimo da atividade leiteira, conforme as condições de cada propriedade, e na análise da eficiência econômica dos sistemas de produção

Analysis, Design and Implementation of Biodiesel Projects in Brazil

During the oil crisis of the seventies, Brazil has developed a successful program for gasoline substitution by ethanol (Proálcool). Nowadays the biomass accounts for 27% of total national energy consumed in Brazil and the ethanol participates with 40% of the total national fuel consumption of Otto cycle vehicles. In 2004, the National Program for the Production and Use of Biodiesel (Biodiesel Program) was launched. One priority of the Biodiesel Program is the inclusion of family agriculture and smallholders into the production chain. The Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) has developed a software for the analysis of biodiesel projects with the participation of family agriculture. Results of production chain analysis and economic indicators calculated by the Biosoft system have allowed identifying the regular supply of oil at competitive prices as the key point to the efficiency of biodiesel production chains. The use of oil cake as feedstock is the leverage point of chain performance. The meal sale can lead to a vegetal oil price reduction, without compromising farmers´ income, since they can be able to set up their own oil extraction plants. Coordination is then the critical element and has the potential to improve the performance of both the biodiesel industry and the animal production chain

Aplicação de sistema de apoio à decisão no planejamento de pequenas propriedades produtoras de leite da microrregião de Viçosa - MG

A pecuária de leite nacional, nos últimos anos, vem passando por importantes transformações, impulsionadas pela necessidade de adaptação dos sistemas de produção de leite a um ambiente de maior competição. Diante desse cenário, este estudo buscou desenvolver um sistema de apoio à decisão (SAD) para auxiliar na alocação de recursos de pequenas propriedades produtoras de leite da microrregião de Viçosa - MG, visando à melhoria da rentabilidade na atividade leiteira. O sistema desenvolvido permite alocar os recursos (terra, mão-de-obra e animais) disponíveis, para a maximização da margem bruta anual por meio de um modelo de programação linear, e facilita a análise econômica dos sistemas de produção, mediante uma planilha de custo que é gerada pelos resultados do modelo. O SAD foi testado com dados de uma propriedade típica da região e mostrou-se útil na comparação de estratégias diferenciadas, no planejamento ótimo da atividade leiteira, conforme as condições de cada propriedade, e na análise da eficiência econômica dos sistemas de produção.Produção de leite, Sistema de apoio à decisão, Alocação de recursos, Programação linear., Farm Management,

Programas de qualidade e indicadores de desempenho da indústria de abate e processamento de suínos na região Centro Sul do Brasil

Os programas de qualidade têm sido vistos como ferramenta essencial para solução de problemas das indústrias no Brasil; são tidos como estratégias de competitividade industrial. A crescente demanda de carnes saudáveis, em cujo processo produtivo não haja degradação ambiental, tem criado uma barreira ao comércio do produto: a exigência de qualidade. Neste trabalho, procurou-se verificar o comportamento de indicadores de desempenho das empresas de abate e processamento de suínos na região centro-sul do Brasil e sua relação com a utilização de programas de qualidade. A metodologia utilizada baseou-se na teoria da Organização Industrial e nas teorias de Competitividade e Qualidade Total, bem como em suas implicações diretas e indiretas no desempenho econômico-financeiro das organizações. Os dados utilizados foram obtidos por meio de um questionário aplicado à indústria de abate e processamento de carne suína. Os resultados desta pesquisa indicam que a referida indústria tem grande preocupação com a qualidade dos seus produtos e adota programas de qualidade em seu processo produtivo. Os programas mostraram desempenho favorável, visto que os os indicadores exibiram aumento ou melhoria, à medida que os programas de qualidade avançavam em desenvolvimento. Ao avaliar o comportamento desses indicadores de desempenho entre as empresas que adotavam algum programa formal de qualidade e as que não o faziam, comprovou-se que as primeiras tendem a apresentar melhores índices de desempenho do que as últimas. Constatou-se que os programas de qualidade implementados na indústria de abate e processamento de suínos, na região centro-sul do Brasil, estavam condizentes com as teorias de qualidade e apresentaram desempenho satisfatório. Tais programas, devido ao seu valor, possivelmente devam figurar entre as principais ferramentas estratégicas utilizadas pelas empresas de abate e processamento de suínos no Brasil para se manterem competitivas no mercado