A study coordinated by Agroicone in partnership with national and international researchers finds that the second crop corn ethanol production system in Brazil provides renewable and affordable energy, animal feed, contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to improving food security.

Double-cropping is the practice whereby two crops are produced sequentially on land required for one crop to maximize resource use. In Brazil, this system involves corn being planted as a second crop following soybean to generate ethanol, thus allowing for combined food–energy production.

The study was developed by Agroicone in partnership with Angelo Gurgel (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Joaquim E. A. Seabra and Rosana Galindo (UNICAMP), Lee R. Lynd (Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College). The research aimed to evaluate in a very careful way the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the energy and food production system that is rapidly expanding in Brazil and drawing attention on a global scale. Results are published in an open-access paper in Nature Sustainability.

The production of corn ethanol in Brazil, despite its fast and short history, has already reached 6.3 billion liters in 2024, with an expectation of reaching between 13 and 15 billion liters in 2032 according to Brazil’s Energy Research Office (EPE).

In addition to the production expansion, there are plans to complement the carbon capture and storage system (BECCS).

The environmental analysis looked at 18 intermediate indicators and three final indicators (Ecosystems, Human Health and Resource Availability). Two other models were used for socioeconomic indicators, with a main focus on the well-being and food security of the poorest families in Brazil and in the world. Finally, the results were also related to the SDGs.

The study indicates that the second crop corn ethanol production system provides renewable and affordable energy, with an additional annual production of five billion liters of ethanol and 600 GWh of electricity, in addition to four million tons of inputs for animal feed. In addition, the practice contributes significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, estimated at between 9.3 million and 13.2 million tons of CO₂, and land-saving effect of 160,000 hectares.

The analysis used advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods and computable general equilibrium (CGE) models, providing a comprehensive view of the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of the second crop corn ethanol production system in Brazil.

Agroicone is an organization that generates knowledge and solutions to transform Brazilian agriculture in the face of the global challenges of sustainable development. It operates in five strategic areas: i) international trade and global issues; ii) sustainability and territorial intelligence; iii) public policies; iv) business, markets and financing; and v) technologies in agro chains.

Resources

• Gurgel, A.C., Seabra, J.E.A., Arantes, S.M. et al. Contribution of double-cropped maize ethanol in Brazil to sustainable development. Nat Sustain (2024) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-024-01424-5