Chilean experts come to Brazil to learn about safety programs with agrochemicals

The IAC-Quepia Quality of Personal Protective Equipment in Agriculture program is on the radar of government agencies in Chile. On November 11th, technicians from the University of Santiago arrive in Brazil to see “Quepia’s” high-precision facilities and laboratories. Created 13 years ago, the program developed international methodologies to certify the quality of agricultural protective clothing, among other innovations.

Since 2006, Quepia has operated at the Engineering and Automation Center of the Agronomic Institute (CEA-IAC), an agency of the São Paulo Department of Agriculture and Supply based in the city of Jundiaí. According to scientific researcher Hamilton Ramos, coordinator of the program, the initiative resulted in a reduction from 80%, 13 years ago, to the current 20% in the failure rate of quality certifications for protective clothing manufactured in Brazil.

“Although the 20% rate is still relevant and the target of studies aimed at reducing it, Brazilian agricultural research has produced a 'case' that can serve as a model for other agricultural countries. This is the central objective of the arrival of our Chilean colleagues”, highlights Ramos.

In addition to Quepia, adds Ramos, two other projects hosted by CEA-IAC will be in focus – the Aplique Bem program and the Reference Unit for Technology and Safety in the Application of Agricultural Pesticides. The first uses mobile laboratories, called TechMóveis, and takes training on good agricultural practices directly to rural properties. The second is aimed at training professionals to train pesticide applicators.

According to Ramos, the three programs are carried out with support from the private sector, including the protective clothing and agricultural pesticides industry. “These initiatives have been recognized for the benefits they transfer to small family farming producers and large agribusiness properties. Its continuity will result in the evolution of safety levels linked to rural work and also in the progressive improvement of the effectiveness of phytosanitary treatments”, says the researcher.

Also according to Ramos, the expectation is that the Jundiaí meeting will expand the exchange of information and projects between Brazil and Chile in the area of ​​agrochemical safety. “We hope that in the short term Chile can join the International Consortium for the Quality of Personal Protective Equipment in Agriculture and the ISO Protective Clothing Committee, of which Brazil is already a member, and in the medium term this synergy will bring effective actions to reduce the exposure of rural workers to agrochemicals, in both countries”, concludes Ramos.