The 1st Brazilian Macaúba Congress was held in Patos de Minas (MG), from November 19 to 21, 2013. The event was promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa at the time), and its main objective was to bring together technical and scientific knowledge about macaúba in Brazil and abroad, seeking subsidies for the consolidation of its production chain in Brazil, with a special interest in making its oil viable as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

The 1st Congress brought together representatives from research, rural producers, processing companies and the Government to discuss the advances and obstacles in the development of the macaúba production chain. To hold the event, Mapa had a partnership with the Ministry of Agrarian Development (MDA), Embrapa Agroenergia, Embrapa Cerrados, Secretariat of the State Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (SEAPA-MG) and Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas (UNIPAM).

A decade after the first congress, macaúba emerges as an important part in the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy, and can contribute to the search for renewable raw materials and the mitigation of the impacts of climate change. With unique characteristics, such as the ability to thrive in degraded areas, resistance to adverse environmental conditions and potential to integrate into agroforestry systems, macaúba represents a versatile source of sustainable raw materials, including oils, proteins, fibers and other valuable biomasses. .

To fully take advantage of this potential, a comprehensive mobilization involving academic, business and government sectors is imperative, aiming to strengthen the production chain of this versatile palm. Such an undertaking requires effective support, both financial and institutional. Strategic support and collaboration between different actors are essential to guarantee the success of this mobilization, positioning macaúba as a viable alternative in building an economy based on bioeconomic principles.

The 1st International Congress and 2nd Brazilian Macaúba Congress could play an important role in the strategic mobilization necessary to boost the potential of macaúba. The event offers a unique platform to bring together experts, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and decision makers from diverse sectors, providing a valuable opportunity to review the current state of cultural development, identify the bottlenecks and limitations faced in its production chain and explore the future opportunities.