Transferência de biotecnologia: estudo de caso de cultivares de guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) no Estado do Amazonas

Abstract

This thesis is a case study that investigated the efficiency of the Project methodology that created the Metropolitan Circuit of Culture of Guarana, on route: Manaus, Manacapuru, Iranduba, Presidente Figueiredo and Rio Preto da Eva (Rota-Hub), in the state of Amazonas, which was executed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) and the stakeholders, during the period 2016-2019, with the main objective of validating and structuring the functionality of the method used in the transfer of agro-industrial biotechnology (cultivars of guarana tree (Paulinia cupana var sorbitis)). Measured by metric efficiency indicators in completed projects, the results demonstrate that the methodology of the tripartite system involving Public Research Institution, Private Initiative and Rural Producers was effective in the process of Agroindustrial TT (technology transfer) in the Amazon territory, where 32 Technological Reference Units (URT) were implanted in a Route-Hub established by economic and market criteria, allowing to elaborate, according to the objectives of this study, the structure identified by the variables 3B3E3H (3 Bases, 3 Pillars and 3 Propellers) whose dimensions are presented in this work, with its structure inspired by the models of the Triple, Quadruple and Quintuple. Guarana is used as a basic input in various segments of the Concentrate Pole of Manaus Free Zone (ZFM). The thesis methodology was based on bibliographic research, as well qualitative and quantitative investigation with producers and other agents in the guarana productive chain, geoeconomic study of this culture and monitoring of the 32 URT (Technological Reference Units) which were implanted. In a further effort, we sought to understand why the guarana cultivars recommended by Embrapa for the North Region, have low adherence to the target audience, despite their important technical, economic, social and environmental attributes. Among the results, serious socioeconomic barriers were identified that strongly impact the guarana chain, such as lack of real-time communication, transport, financing and public policies defined for the primary sector, high cost of technology to small producers due to their income. The studied methodology proved to have a great capacity to multiply the investment and attract players. It is also demonstrated that this TT Agroindustrial Tripod - 3B3E3H, can be efficient for other cultures with this profile, within the state, perhaps for the entire North Region or in states that have similar economic, social, cultural and environmental constitution, in particular, those covered by the jurisdiction of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM), which can serve as a guide for managing the interiorization of development in the State of Amazonas.

Keywords: Technology Transfer; Management Methodology; Guarana; Performance Efficiency; Economic and Social Development-State of Amazonas.