São Paulo capital, the largest square in Brazilian agribusiness

Ducor non ducor, “I lead, I am not led”, the coat of arms of the city of São Paulo, which celebrates 464 years of age this week and inspires us a lot.

Meanwhile, at the biggest retail fair in the world – National Retail Federation – in New York, United States, this January, a group of Brazilian businesspeople made a manifesto declaring that the country's business elite needs to assume political protagonism.

Flávio Rocha, president of Lojas Riachuelo, presented the “Brazil 200” movement and said “The Moita businessman, the one who remains hidden, is responsible for what we are experiencing”; and together with him, other leaders of Brazilian retail signed this document, such as Luiza Helena Trajano from Magazine Luiza; Luciano Hang from the Havan network; and Alberto Saraiva owner of the HABIBS network, this one with links in our agribusiness production chain, after all, no esfiha comes out without wheat, meat, onions, peppers.

And now, what does this example have to do with the national agricultural macro sector? All! Because the fight against populism, which devastates and disgraces societies and economies, needs and demands the presence of organized civil society.

We are in an election year and this January 25th is the anniversary of the founding of the city of São Paulo.

São Paulo is the largest Brazilian agribusiness hub. Nothing is planted in this city, except for some vegetable gardens, but here it is processed, distributed as in CEAGESP, which is the largest food distribution terminal in the world, so commerce and the financial sector take place; in addition to also having in São Paulo, one of the most diverse and excellent cuisines on the planet.

But, what does the example of the New York retail congress bring us to São Paulo's anniversary date and to agribusiness?

The example. Brazil is too important, and agribusiness is fundamental to the Brazilian economy and quality of life, for its destiny to be left in the hands of politicians alone, and even with many populist politicians infiltrated.
It's time for national business confederations to take part in the country's political destinies and it's time for agribusiness to actually become agribusiness, the union and reunion of interdependent production chains, where supermarkets, restaurants and food trucks understand their links with science , technology, and rural producers. Time for agribusiness, time for the political protagonism of organized civil society, with or without this or that presidential candidate.

Congratulations city of São Paulo, ducor non ducor, I drive, I am not driven. May the country and national agribusiness be like this!