| Agriculture

Bahia creates unprecedented alliance in defense of agribusiness

New alliance between 13 entities strengthens public policies for Bahia's agriculture sector

14.04.2025 | 15:33 (UTC -3)

Nádia Brescovici Borges

An unprecedented movement of articulation between different segments of the Bahian agribusiness marked the beginning of a new cycle of development for the sector. In a historic meeting held at the headquarters of the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (Aiba), in the Bahia Farm Show complex, 13 entities made a commitment to act together in defense of the agribusiness, creating the so-called “Alliance for the Agribusiness of Bahia”.

Representing the agricultural, livestock, industrial, machinery and implements sectors, the presidents and representatives of the entities presented the main projects underway, highlighted common challenges and joined forces around a collaborative agenda. The proposal is simple but ambitious: to build, through constant dialogue and coordinated actions, a sustainable, competitive and integrated development agenda for the entire agribusiness sector in the state.

“The idea of this union came about many years ago, but now, with the participation of 100% of the entities operating in the region, we believe that the time has come to move forward with strength and representation”, highlighted Luiz Pradella, vice-president of the Rural Producers Cooperative (Cooperfarms).

One of the inspiring examples presented during the meeting was that of the Rural Producers Association of Chapada do Rio Pratudão (Aprup), represented by its president Harard Kudiess. Based in Correntina, Aprup brings together 33 producers who have organized themselves collectively to make structural projects viable, such as solutions for energy supply (high and low voltage) and investments in infrastructure and verticalization of production. “The association started small, with a local purpose, but today it moves forward with institutional strength, defending the interests of our region. I believe that this alliance is the way for us to advance as a sector,” stated Harard.

Challenges in the livestock sector

Livestock farming was also represented at the meeting. The president of the Bahian Livestock Association (Acrioeste), Gil Areas, highlighted the challenges faced by the segment, such as livestock traceability — essential to adding value to meat produced in the region — and the importance of the evolution of confinement systems, driven by the abundant local agricultural production.

Representing the agricultural machinery and implements sector, the president of the Association of Resellers and Representatives of Agricultural Machinery, Equipment and Implements of Western Bahia (Assomiba), Fábio Martins, reinforced support for the initiative and highlighted that the segment is ready to collaborate with solutions and concrete proposals for the main challenges of the Bahian agroindustry.

Female strength in agriculture

The female strength of agriculture was represented by leaders such as Carminha Missio, vice-president of the Federation of Agriculture and Livestock of the State of Bahia (Faeb), Rose Cerrato, president of the Union of Rural Producers of Barreiras (Sprb), Greice Fontana Klein, president of the Union of Rural Producers of Luís Eduardo Magalhães (Sprlem), and Alessandra Zanotto Costa, president of the Bahian Association of Cotton Producers (Abapa). “This union is a decisive step. We are beginning a new era for the Bahian agro-industrial sector,” Carminha highlighted.

The meeting’s host, Aiba’s president, Moisés Schmidt, celebrated the result of the partnership. “This alliance has the potential to transform the scenario of the Bahian agribusiness. The creation of a Council of Presidents and the definition of recurring meetings show that there is commitment. We will work towards an internal regulation that allows us to advance on specific and collective fronts with a common thought, while respecting the identity of each entity”, he stated.

At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to create a Council of Presidents, with periodic meetings and the preparation of internal regulations, with the aim of ensuring the continuity of the alliance and strategic action in the face of the main challenges of the sector.