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This thesis critically analyzes the Brazilian Biodiesel Program (PNPB) in relation to its social inclusion component. Policy instruments stimulate and regulate the economic linkage between family farmers and biodiesel companies in the frame of the PNPB. The objective of this thesis is to challenge policy assumptions related to this program. Theoretically, this research draws on insights from Political Ecology and the Actor-oriented approach. The discussion is based on the methods and findings of a multi-level research and a case study conducted in the State of Piaui, Brazil. The Actor-oriented approach was used to link inquiry across levels of analysis. This methodological approach enabled the study of the convergence of actors´ strategies. It was found that the large-scale implementation offers little room for effective participation of family agriculture, while opening remarkable opportunities for extensive agriculture. The analysis suggests that the PNPB helps to obscure the advancement of the soybean industry and its concomitant wealth condensation.

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Sara Brune Arita recently obtained her masters degree in Agro- ecological Knowledge and Social Change at Wageningen University. She participated in the Visiting Scholar Program at the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG) located in Brasilia in 2010, which enabled her to conduct fieldwork for this master´s thesis.

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