In Trump's march of insanity, national agriculture security is fertilizer
Publicado em 25/09/2025
Divulgação
Published on 09/15/2025
Agriconscient Show – Broadcast by Radio Eldorado / Estadão
*José Luiz Tejon
Translated / Copy Desk by Francisco Barbosa Bardhal
The book entitled *The March of Folly* by Barbara W. Tuchman examines the self-sabotage of governments toward their own nations, from Troy to Vietnam. Without a doubt, Donald Trump would be a richly detailed chapter in this story of insanity.
This is why, in Brazilian Agribusiness, where 85% of fertilizers are imported, an emergency strategy must be adopted immediately, without delay.
Trade wars, geopolitical uncertainties, and threats of super-tariffs for those who buy from Russia are forcing Brazilian Agribusiness to devise an immediate strategy to reduce our unacceptable dependence on imports. In a Trump era, the only certainty is the algorithmic certainty of his insanity.
At the Superior Council of Agribusiness (Cosag) a technical and strategic body of the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP), a vital and fundamental topic for the present and future of Agribusiness will be debated by experts and the public and private sectors.
This topic highlights our massive dependence on imported fertilisers for the agribusiness sector, which is projected to double in size over the next 12 years and, therefore, cannot depend on geopolitical instabilities.
Beyond the security of plant and soil nutrition, there´s also the aspect of volatile costs caused by trade wars and currency instability.
Today, the meeting under the chairmanship of Mr. Jacyr Costa of the Superior Council of Agribusiness (Cosag), will be: Congressman Mr. Pedro Lupion, President of the Parliamentary Agricultural Front; Mr. João José Pietro Flavio, Coordinator of the Agricultural branch of the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB); Mr. Cleber Oliveira Soares, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA); Mr. Eduardo de Souza Monteiro, President of the National Association for Fertilizer Diffusion (ANDA); Senator Mis. Tereza Cristina (PP-MS); Mr. Guilherme Campos, Secretary of Agricultural Policy at MAPA; and Mr. Ricardo Tortorella, Executive Director of ANDA, the aforementioned National Association for Fertilizer Diffusion.
The scenario for national fertilizer production in Brazil from 2025 to 2030 will be presented by Mr. José Carlos Polidoro, advisor to MAPA and the country's leading fertilizer expert, who´ll reveal actions and strategies to increase our national production.
The present business sectors will be discussed in this panel, featuring Mr. Eduardo Ferrari Marrey of Brasil Agro; Mr. Cleiton Gauer of the Mato Grosso Institute of Agricultural Economics (IMEA); Mr. Guilherme Schmitz of Yara / Sinprifert; and Mr. Marcelo Silvestre of Galvani, both from the fertiliser industry.
Panel 2 will bring up PROFERT (Program for the Development of the Fertilizer Industry in Brazil), highlighting its potential to attract investments to the national fertilizer sector and the associated program.
Senator Laercio Oliveira (PP-SE), the project author, will discuss the topic and will be joined in the debate by Mr. Rodrigo Santana, co-founder of Atlas Agro, and Congressman Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania-SP).
And in Panel 3, the Profert project and the contributions of bio-inputs will be discussed by Mrs. Christiane Oliveira Amancio, Head of Embrapa Agrobiology (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation).
Undoubtedly, focusing on this theme is essential for any strategic planning in Brazilian agribusiness and is crucial for the success of communication plans. Without secure and cost-effective fertilization, we can discuss it, but we won’t be able to deliver.
The conclusions and synthesis of all the day’s actions at Cosag - FIESP will be provided by: Mr. Elias Lima, President of the National Council of Fertilizer Raw Material Industries – Sinprifert; Mr. Roberto Levrero, President of Abisolo; and Mr. Roberto Betancourt, Director of the Agribusiness Department at FIESP.
Focus on what is vital: Strategic Planning. For legitimate Agribusiness leaders, Communication is their mission, especially in a world that is critical, polarized, and filled with uncertainty.
"Think Brazil," as Ambassador Mr. Rubens Barbosa so aptly recommended, and the "Agro 50 Plan," as Mr. Roberto Rodrigues has likewise emphasized.
With more national fertilizer, "If you plant, it will Grow," as the late Mr. Fernando Penteado Cardoso used to say about Manah, his traditional company.
And with competitive costs, planting will grow even more!
*Prof.Dr.José Luiz Tejon - PhD in Education Universidad de La Empresa/Uruguay; Academic Director Brazil+Tropical Belt Nations at International Agribusiness MBA Audencia France & Fecap Brazil; Master's degree in Art Education and History of Culture - Mackenzie University; Journalist and Publicist - Harvard, MIT and PACE/USA/ Insead in France; Specialization Academic Coordinator of Master's Science Food & Agribusiness Management at Audencia in Nantes/ France, and FECAP/Brazil; Managing Partner at Biomarketing and TCA International; Professional Head at Agri Anefac; Writer, author and co-author of 37 books; Agri Personality Award 2023/ABAG -100 Most Influential People in Agribusiness; Former director of Grupo Estadão, Agroceres and Jacto S/A; 2025 Award Agriworld Group.