Integrated Lean-Green Model for Sustainable Management in Agribusiness through Digital Twin Technologies, Discrete Event Simulation, and Sustainable Value Stream Mapping

• Grant number: 24/16978-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Production Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Diogo Aparecido Lopes Silva
• Grantee: Guilherme Andreazza de Freitas
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências em Gestão e Tecnologia (CCGT). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Campus de Sorocaba. Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Agricultural production will need to increase by 50% to meet the needs of an estimated population of 10 billion people by 2050. However, agriculture is one of the primary contributors to various environmental impacts. Additionally, agricultural processes involve dynamic, non-static events, meaning they are subject to constant variations due to climatic, seasonal, and biological factors. In light of this demand, it is crucial to find ways to increase agricultural productivity and enhance farmers' management and decision-making, considering the dynamic nature of the system while ensuring food availability with minimal environmental impact. In this context, the overall objective of this project is to guide the implementation of Lean (efficient) and Green (sustainable) practices in agricultural production through an integrated Lean-Green model. The project will provide a model (framework) for the use and integration of three process management-focused tools: Sustainable Value Stream Mapping (MFV), Discrete Event Simulation (DES), and Digital Twin (DT). These tools aim to support managers in making decisions quickly and safely. The DT and DES will be developed using an action research approach on an orange-producing farm in northeastern Brazil, building on the results of a previous project that created Sustainable MFVs on the same farm (FAPESP Process 2022/04286-5). The proposed methodology is divided into five stages: 1) systematic literature review, 2) development of the decision support model, 3) application of the model in an action research format, 4) comparative analysis of the results with a focus on the Lean-Green management of the farm and the pros and cons of integrating DT and DES simulation with Sustainable MFVs, and 5) creation of a self-assessment tool to guide the selection of management tools. This work is expected to serve as a guide for implementing Lean-Green management practices in agribusiness, continuing the completed FAPESP project 2022/04286-5, but now focused on simulation-driven decision-making, enabling dynamic rather than static management of agricultural processes, thus reducing variability. (AU)