A recent Citrus Industry article reported on Brazil’s Fundecitrus hosting a delegation of agriculture leaders from California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) also reported on the trip, which included other venues in addition to Fundecitrus. Highlights from the CDFA report follow.
During the trip to Brazil, the California delegation visited farms, packinghouses, research facilities and business incubators focusing on biological development within the agricultural sector.
Brazil’s leadership on agricultural biologicals and integrated pest management was on full display during the trip. This included on-farm rearing and release of biological controls as well as recent governmental action to provide a separate pathway for the registration of biological inputs, allowing for faster commercialization and on-farm use.
Visits to Koppert and Ideelab further underscored the momentum in the biologicals space — where solutions are actively being pursued, with grower input, to address biocontrol needs. One example that was provided highlighted the reduction of the chemical spending for a specific pest, from an estimated $1 billion in costs to $100 million over the course of 10 years because of the introduction of a bio-based alternative.
Other visits included Fundecitrus, an association of citrus growers and juice industries, established to further sustainable development of the citrus industry. Citrus greening is currently a focus of the organization, with innovative research supporting new approaches to combat the disease.
AgNest Farm highlighted agricultural technology and biological input trials to support grower adaptation and use. AgNest Farm is a public-private partnership of financial lenders and Brazil’s agricultural research institute, Embrapa.
Brazil is an inspiring market because there is an established system of research institutions, businesses and growers looking for solutions for ag-related pests, disease and climate adaptation.
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is looking forward to next steps with Brazil in collaboration on trade and climate. Next steps include:
- The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil in November
- The Salinas Biological Summit next June
- Ongoing University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) connections with academic partners
- Expanding grower engagement with the biological companies visited on the trip
- For trade, the Angua Select Brazil exhibition next April will be an opportunity to explore potential partnerships.
California’s delegation to Brazil included representatives from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Terranova Ranch, UC ANR, California Farm Bureau Federation, Western Growers, M Three Ranches, State Board of Food and Agriculture and Blue Diamond Growers.
Source: CDFA
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