based on bioknowledge (MAE 2016). It is a structure to protect biodiversity and
catalyse a sustainable transition of the Ecuadorian economy. The bioeconomy is
compatible with this approach to Ecuador’s development.
One of the main problems in the analysis of alternative development models are
the opportunity costs between the relative GDP participation of the sector, labour
migration, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the expansion of industrial and
service sectors. Any configuration of the bioeconomy must then consider the
complex interdependencies between these variables and the dependence of national
incomes on extractive economies. Falconí and Vallejo (2012) argue that the key
determinants that promote socio-ecological transitions in Andean countries such as
Ecuador are economic efficiency, income redistribution, and physical sustainability.
As extractive economies exert environmental pressure and deepen inequalities, their
prospects for economic growth are limited by the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.
Taking these factors into consideration, we have conducted this assessment of the
bioeconomic sector’s contribution to the Ecuadorian GDP.
The following section introduces the concept of bioeconomy and how it is
understood by the most relevant organizations. In Sect. 3.3, the Ecuadorian economic structure is presented in terms of GDP components and bioeconomic shares
within the economic subsectors. Section 3.4 presents the different models available
for the assessment of the contribution of the bioeconomy. Section 3.5 compares the
models considering the criteria mentioned above. Section 3.6 presents the estimates
of the bioeconomy to the Ecuadorian economy, and Sect. 3.7 introduces five sectors
in which the bioeconomy has exceptional potential to contribute. Section 3.8 offers
final take-away ideas and suggests future research avenues.
3.2
Conceptual Framework
The present section aims to explore different definitions of bioeconomy to parameterize the identified methodology but not to critically compare the different theoretical proposals that are available nor to implement a normative analysis (Vivien et al.
2019). Relevant to the operational definition of bioeconomy is facilitating its applicability in other examples, within a time frame that permits the evaluation of its
evolution. In other words, the concept of bioeconomy should be compatible with the
incorporation of items and sub-items of a national system within the methodology to
assess bioeconomy, as well as with the differentiation between the possible scenarios
for the implementation of bioeconomy in a context of productive development.
About these possible scenarios, it is important to consider that bioeconomy
requires the utilization of more resources, processes, and biological principles,
only possible if there is a utilization of new knowledge, technology and information,
and the availability of capacities that are related to its use. Accordingly, it has been
identified that, in the short-run, a technological hybridization would be observed,
whereby traditional technologies and new biotechnologies interact to pave the way
for more efficient and environmental friendly production models (i.e. increase efficiency in the agricultural sector) (IICA 2019). In the long-run, progress in the
3 Social and Economic Contribution of the Bioeconomic Sector in Ecuador: A. . .
37
catalyse a sustainable transition of the Ecuadorian economy. The bioeconomy is
compatible with this approach to Ecuador’s development.
One of the main problems in the analysis of alternative development models are
the opportunity costs between the relative GDP participation of the sector, labour
migration, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and the expansion of industrial and
service sectors. Any configuration of the bioeconomy must then consider the
complex interdependencies between these variables and the dependence of national
incomes on extractive economies. Falconí and Vallejo (2012) argue that the key
determinants that promote socio-ecological transitions in Andean countries such as
Ecuador are economic efficiency, income redistribution, and physical sustainability.
As extractive economies exert environmental pressure and deepen inequalities, their
prospects for economic growth are limited by the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.
Taking these factors into consideration, we have conducted this assessment of the
bioeconomic sector’s contribution to the Ecuadorian GDP.
The following section introduces the concept of bioeconomy and how it is
understood by the most relevant organizations. In Sect. 3.3, the Ecuadorian economic structure is presented in terms of GDP components and bioeconomic shares
within the economic subsectors. Section 3.4 presents the different models available
for the assessment of the contribution of the bioeconomy. Section 3.5 compares the
models considering the criteria mentioned above. Section 3.6 presents the estimates
of the bioeconomy to the Ecuadorian economy, and Sect. 3.7 introduces five sectors
in which the bioeconomy has exceptional potential to contribute. Section 3.8 offers
final take-away ideas and suggests future research avenues.
3.2
Conceptual Framework
The present section aims to explore different definitions of bioeconomy to parameterize the identified methodology but not to critically compare the different theoretical proposals that are available nor to implement a normative analysis (Vivien et al.
2019). Relevant to the operational definition of bioeconomy is facilitating its applicability in other examples, within a time frame that permits the evaluation of its
evolution. In other words, the concept of bioeconomy should be compatible with the
incorporation of items and sub-items of a national system within the methodology to
assess bioeconomy, as well as with the differentiation between the possible scenarios
for the implementation of bioeconomy in a context of productive development.
About these possible scenarios, it is important to consider that bioeconomy
requires the utilization of more resources, processes, and biological principles,
only possible if there is a utilization of new knowledge, technology and information,
and the availability of capacities that are related to its use. Accordingly, it has been
identified that, in the short-run, a technological hybridization would be observed,
whereby traditional technologies and new biotechnologies interact to pave the way
for more efficient and environmental friendly production models (i.e. increase efficiency in the agricultural sector) (IICA 2019). In the long-run, progress in the
3 Social and Economic Contribution of the Bioeconomic Sector in Ecuador: A. . .
37