2025 Agri Expectations - From FAESP New President Mr. Tirso Meirelles
Publicado em 09/01/2025
Divulgação
Tirso Meirelles
Published on 03/01/2025
*Prof.Dr.José Luiz,Tejon
Happy AgriNew Year!
I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve.
When we talk about New Year's Eve, We´re talking about Agribusiness, without a doubt, so I wish you a wonderful New Year!
And we begin by bringing the perspectives and expectations of FAESP, (Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of São Paulo) and Senar (National Centre of Agriculture Learning) under the words of its president, Mr. Tirso de Salles Meirelles, who kindly commented: “Without a doubt, the countryman is resilient. Therefore, dear Prof.Tejon,when you talk about a happy New Year, I say yes, it will be a very positive year, and we should think this way.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
We face significant challenges ahead! The tax reform is upon us, and we are dealing with one of the highest VAT (Value Added Tax) rates in the world, potentially reaching 29%. Moreover, there are various ramifications of this reform that still need a thorough analysis. However, we must strive to break this cycle and do our best to overcome these changes for good.
But, We´ve, then, the fear of the simple, the fear of the entire process in the Agribusiness production chain, which involves Agroindustry, Commerce, and Services.
To facilitate the overall adaptation of the process, We´ve established a dedicated department within the federation to oversee and monitor all the entire initiative.
FOREST CODE IMPLEMENTATION
Another crucial initiative is the execution of the Forest Code. FAESP has committed to fully implementing the Forest Code in São Paulo, and to achieve this, we´ve hired over 200 supervisors and more than a thousand interns. Each rural union will be responsible for visiting the 410,000 properties in our region. These rural properties hold significant value for us as we introduce the CAR – Rural Environmental Registry – and emphasise the vital importance of enforcing the Forest Code
This Sustainability Department, which has a team of experts, will provide all the support we need to implement all of these improvements.
In addition to these advances, we will have the strength of the workforce on these rural properties.
By doing that you will observe the vocation of the property, what is it producing, and what it needs in terms of resources to keep men and women in the field.
From these points, you make local production arrangements, among those who produce the same product, thus increasing productivity with sustainability to make small Agribusinesses add value to those products that society wants to purchase.
EMPOWERING AND ENHANCING RURAL COMMUNITIES
Therefore, we aim to enhance and fortify the entire process, creating an environment that adds value and encourages both men and women to remain in the field.
IMPLEMENTING A.I IN THE FIELD
All of this meets our needs in what We´re carrying out in São Roque, State of São Paulo: An activity where We´re working effectively to implement the Bio inputs, Artificial Intelligence, and Big Data system.
As you know, the Bio inputs Law was enacted last year and we, rural producers, can predict the version of these inputs that we can use and, if it works, each producer can register on Mapa( Brasilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply) and commercialise this process.
LARGE “AGRIFEELINGS”
In this direction, we`re stating that we´ll have a forecasted contribution, until 2030, according to the Getúlio Vargas Foundation, of 45 billion reais, something truly extraordinary in Brasil, a pioneer in the world. Through Data and Artificial Intelligence, we will have 4G, 5.0 agriculture, in a way we can allow small farmers the precision technologies they need to achieve the same productivity rates as large producers.
So, We´re talking about a big involvement, where we will invest 40 million reais just in the construction part and another 30 million in equipment. And we will propagate this “Centre of Excellence” model throughout Brasil.
We´re planning a significant investment, allocating 40 million reais specifically for construction and an additional 30 million for equipment. Furthermore, we will disseminate this "Centre of Excellence" model all over Brasilian Agriterritory.
This initiative is in partnership with Senar (National Rural Apprenticeship Service), aimed at reinforcing our efforts to empower small and medium-sized producers. We believe this collaboration will significantly enhance the entire process. Additionally, We´re considering establishing another Centre in either Jaguariúna or Avaré, both located in São Paulo state. We´re currently evaluating potential locations, taking into account strategic factors such as irrigation capabilities to ensure optimal effectiveness of the Centres of Excellence across Brasil So we will have a large Irrigation Specialisation Centre, a training centre for skilled laboring and high-level equipment so that we can also bring to small and medium-sised communities the importance of the irrigation process, especially now when we face this global challenge.
FRESH WATER: 20% BELONGS TO BRASIL
Today We´ve 20% of the world's Fresh Water and we only use 2% for irrigation; the rest we lost to the sea.
So we need to use it better, not waste it or spend it thoughtlessly. As the saying goes, water cycles through nature: it evaporates, forms rain, seeps into the soil, nourishes crops, and eventually returns to the groundwater, completing an endless loop. This process is efficient and sustainable, allowing for the production and maintenance of three crops on the same land.
Only three countries—Brazil, the U.S., Congo, and Indonesia—share the same climatic advantages. All are located in the tropics and can support three harvests simultaneously. We need to capitalise on this unique opportunity.
BRASIL HAS PROVOKED A PLANETARY REVOLUTION
Absolutely, the vision for the tropics is crucial! Over the past 50 years, we’ve sparked a planetary revolution. Mr. President, the initiative to hire technicians to complete the CAR (Rural Environmental Registry) in São Paulo is especially exciting.
As we tackle global challenges like traceability, sustainability, and origin verification, implementing a comprehensive C.A.R. is crucial. Without it, achieving global standards becomes nearly impossible. This initiative will not only reinforce our commitment to sustainable practices but also boost our credibility on the world stage—a significant step forward in addressing the demands of global agricultural market.
It’s exciting to think we can install a sign at the entrance of each rural property to signify its certification and compliance with global market demands. This will be crucial for showcasing the entire process, enabling traceability within each property, identifying the needs of producers and their products, and pinpointing areas for improvement. This approach is vital for achieving sustainable agriculture, especially as we prepare for COP30, which we are organising here at the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of São Paulo, alongside the CNA (National Agriculture Council) and other federations.”
AMAZON BELONGS TO BRASIL
An important fact, and very quickly, that I will tell you, dear Professor Tejon: The former Minister of Justice of France was hired to do work for Cop-30 Through USP (University of São Paulo) and she simply decided to speak about the sovereignty of State of Amazonas ( the big part of Amazon rainforest) and that is an absurd! What was our attitude? As part of the USP university council, we went there to bat. And then, the magnificent Rector said: "No, that was a mistake! She won't talk anymore about this subject anymore; she will address another topic. The Amazon is Brasilian sovereignty and its citizens. Knowing that, we need to know how to separate things.
Our concern for 2025 is to carry out, as well as we can do, the process of demonstrating to the world that it is here, in front of our eyes, to show Sustainability in Brasilian Agriculture”.
It's not enough to possess knowledge; we must share it with the rural community.
SHARING KNOW-HOW
But, President Tirso - I insisted - It´s very important! Not enough to know how! It´s mandatory to ensure that those involved in the process will learn and assimilate the process Know-How. So, the demonstration is very important and, regarding this issue with France, we cannot forget Roraima, there in the far north, right? We´ve got a border there with French Guiana, an overseas territory of France and yes, we should have a good conversation about sovereignty!
Congratulations, President Tirso! May the future be bright, and may the impactful actions you've proposed lead the Brasilian Agribussiness to a complete success. Your vision and dedication are truly commendable.
Thank you very much and happy 2025!
*José Luiz Tejon - PhD in Education-Universidad de La Empresa/Uruguay. Master's degree in Art Education and History of Culture - Mackenzie University. Journalist and Publicist - Harvard, MIT and PACE/USA / Insead in France Specialisation Academic Coordinator of Master Science Food & Agribusiness Management at Audencia in Nantes/France and FECAP/ Brazil. Managing Partner at Biomarketing and TCA International. Professional Head at Agro Anefac. Writer author and Co-author of 37 books. Agro Personality Award 2023 ABAG. Former director of Grupo Estadão, Agroceres and Jacto S/A.
