The ReLEAF partners from Work package 1 are analyzing end-user preferences and key factors influencing the adoption of bio-based fertilisers, and to get better insights, they created a survey to understand farmers’ knowledge, preferences, and priorities regarding bio-based fertilisers.
This survey reached Brazil where Tatiana Kimura Kodama, a Brazilian researcher, is researching System Dynamics Modeling to analyze bio-based and organic fertilizer scenarios, allowing for impact assessments, identifying barriers to nutrient recovery, and contributing to reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers.
Tatiana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Production Engineering from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD) and a Master’s degree in Production Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar). Additionally, she has specializations in Technology for Business (AI, Data Science, and Big Data) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), focusing on optimizing agricultural practices through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in Project Management from the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture – University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP).
Her study focuses on modeling bio-based and organic fertilizers derived from organic waste and bio-waste, using a quantitative approach that enables the simulation of complex systems, analyzing data, dynamic variables, and causal relationships. This model provides strategic insights that support decision-making and implementing sustainable solutions in the agricultural sector, promoting more efficient resource use and fostering practices aligned with the circular economy.
This approach aligns with studies such as Data-Driven System Dynamics Models for Simulating, which highlight the potential of data-driven modeling in optimizing processes and predicting impacts in complex systems. Through an in-depth literature review and scenario-building, her research aims to:
- Identify the key drivers of nutrient recovery and biofertilizer production and the existing barriers to this process.
- Support the transition to a circular bioeconomy, reducing dependence on conventional fertilizers and mitigating the environmental impact of waste disposal.
This project is particularly relevant given the importance of Brazil’s agricultural sector and the challenges related to external dependence on fertilizers. According to data from the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply (2023), over 85% of the fertilizers consumed in the country are imported, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives to reduce this vulnerability and strengthen agricultural and food security.
The ReLEAF project brings together experts and innovative tools for developing sustainable biofertilizers. It strengthens her research by providing a validated questionnaire on farmers’ acceptance of biofertilizers across various European Union countries. The ReLEAF project and her research share common goals, such as:
- Nutrient recovery and biofertilizer production, promoting the efficient reuseof organic waste.
- Strengthening circular supply chains, reducing reliance on imported fertilizers, and fostering regional solutions.
- Sustainability and positive environmental impact, supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy.
As her doctoral research analyzes the feasibility and acceptance of bio-based fertilizers produced from organic waste and she aims to assess farmers’ perceptions regarding using bio-based fertilizers, the survey created byt ReLEAF partners can be conducted in different states across Brazil, helping to broaden the understanding of farmers’ acceptance of bio-based fertilizers in a diverse and complementary scenario to the ReLEAF project.
You can find Tatiana on LinkedIn