Sara Leal*
The panel “Can farms and forests coexist? Lessons from the real world”, held on Tuesday (15) at Agrizone at COP30 in Belém, brought together researchers, farmers, representatives of the financial sector and private enterprise to discuss the challenges, opportunities and solutions already underway in tropical agriculture.
Ludmilla Rattis, a researcher at IPAM and moderator of the debate, asked each participant: “What problem in your farm, company or territory would you like to see solved in the next five years?”
Chain engagement and traceability as an opportunity
For Juliana Lopes, director of ESG, Communication and Compliance at Amaggi, the greatest wish is that “each link in the chain recognizes its importance and does what needs to be done”. She pointed out that, today, 100% of the company’s direct suppliers and 70% of its indirect suppliers have production traceability.
“We see traceability as a climate mitigation tool, but also as an opportunity for producers. It’s not a simple process, but with support and partnerships, it becomes possible,” he said.
Intensification, regeneration and technology
Rural producer and director of the Earth Innovation Institute, Antonio Lobato reinforced the role of biodiversity and landscape as the basis for adaptation and production. He advocated agriculture that integrates technology, proper management and training.
“Producing in the Amazon requires harmony between man, nature and animals. Intensification of pastures depends on people. We also need to democratize science and expand technical assistance for all types of producers,” he said. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to modernize processes and integrate the new generation into the countryside.
Cattle farmer Mauro Lúcio, who has lived in Pará since 1982, recalled the successful experience of Paragominas, which left the list of municipalities with the most deforestation after implementing initiatives involving technical assistance.
“We carried out complete land management: we identified areas suitable for production, regenerated unsuitable areas, expanded the legal reserve and APPs, and brought the municipality into line with the law,” he said.
Rural credit: cost, risk and the need to improve the investment environment
Taciano Custódio, Director of Sustainability at Rabobank, pointed to the dream of reducing the operating cost of credit lines so that they become levers for transformation. He explained that, today, one third of the financing for Brazilian agriculture comes from the government and two thirds from the private sector – a large part from international investors.
According to Custódio, factors such as regulatory complexity, the delay in implementing the Forest Code, the validation of the CAR and deforestation raise the perception of risk in Brazil.
“We need to be more vocal about the importance of fully implementing the Forest Code and model financial instruments that are appropriate for the diversity of tropical agriculture. There is enormous opportunity, but capital only comes with security,” he said.
*IPAM Communications Coordinator