The pride of Para: Acai: A case study unveiling an Amazonian value chain and its many narratives
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2025-03-12
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en
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This thesis explores the governance dynamics of the açaí value chain in Pará, Brazil, examining how different actors understand and negotiate the sustainable development of this non-timber forest product within the Amazonian bioeconomy. Through a case study approach using the Policy Arrangement Approach, the research investigates the complex interactions between actors, resources, rules, and discourses that shape the açaí supply chain. The study reveals two interconnected yet distinctly different value chain pathways: a traditional, extractive chain characterized by informal trade and local community practices, and a more formalized, cultivation-focused chain driven by market demands. A key finding is the significant lack of documentation across the açaí value chain, which has created a governance vacuum increasingly filled by private actors. The research identified two competing discourse coalitions regarding açaí production: one advocating for cultivation and domestication as necessary for a sustainable bioeconomy, and another emphasizing traditional extraction methods as inherently sustainable. These perspectives reflect fundamental tensions between scaling production and maintaining traditional practices. Ultimately, the research highlights the complex challenges of translating bioeconomy ideals into practices that genuinely benefit local communities and natural ecosystems.
Key words: Bioeconomy, Açaí Value chain, Policy Arrangement Approach, The Amazon, Private Certifications Schemes, Environmental Governance
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen