Embrapa's technological solutions are highlighted at the 47th Expointer

This week, Embrapa held a ceremony to present new technologies at the 47th Expointer, held at Parque Assis Brasil, in Esteio (RS). Six technological solutions were launched, four publications were published and partnerships were signed with two institutions. The event was attended by Embrapa's Director of Research and Innovation, Clenio Pillon, and the heads of the Temperate Climate Unit, Waldyr Stumpf Junior, the Southern Livestock Unit, Fernando Cardoso, and the Grape and Wine Unit, Henrique Pessoa dos Santos, as well as representatives of partners in the development and transfer of technologies.

Before the official ceremony, the ministers of the Extraordinary Secretariat for Support for the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta, and of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, were able to learn about some of the technologies that were launched, including tasting one of the new products, the BRS Gala JVZ64 apple cultivar, developed by Embrapa Grapes and Wine. For Paulo Pimenta, Embrapa's work is fundamental in the effort to revive the primary sector in the state. Paulo Teixeira highlighted Embrapa's important support for the development of family-based producers, providing solutions that increase efficiency and income generation in this segment.

Embrapa director Clenio Pillon highlighted the impacts on society of the company’s deliveries and the search for solutions that contribute to more sustainable agriculture. According to him, science plays a very important role in public policies that reach both farmers and city dwellers, enabling the production of healthy, quality food. “The social return on public investments in Embrapa is very high and we also have an important role in the recovery of Rio Grande do Sul, affected by the floods that occurred in the state, as well as in tackling the climate changes that are occurring,” he stated.

At the ceremony, some of Embrapa's partners spoke about the work developed in conjunction with Embrapa. For the president of Emater/RS, Mara Saafeld, the new agreement signed at Expointer reinforces the joint work between the two institutions that has been going on for a long time. The president of the Federation of Agricultural Workers of Rio Grande do Sul (Fetag/RS), highlighted that the partnership with Embrapa can make a big difference for family farmers by bringing research and technology directly to the front line, contributing to the improvement of processes and production in the field.

Technological Solutions, publications and partnerships

One of the technologies launched was CarbonGado, a calculator that helps estimate and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle herds, developed by Embrapa Pecuária Sul (RS) in partnership with the Federal University of Pampa (Unipampa). The research center in Bagé (RS) also made available the publication “Analysis of enteric methane emissions from beef cattle herds in Rio Grande do Sul”, which, among other aspects, addresses some tools for mitigating emissions.

In addition, the Bagé Unit also presented Intergen Genomic, a new version of the genetic evaluation software for beef cattle, which now serves more cattle breed improvement programs; and also launched the 2nd edition of the Brangus+ Summary, in partnership with the Brazilian Brangus Association (ABB), and the PampaPlus Summary, in partnership with the Brazilian Hereford and Braford Association (ABHB).

In fruit growing, Embrapa Grape and Wine (RS) launched, in partnership with the company Jardim dos Clones, the BRS Gala JVZ64 - whose fruit will be commercially presented as Purple Gala. The cultivar is the first Brazilian of the Gala group of the “full color” type, that is, with a compact red skin without the traditional stripes. The material develops color earlier than traditional Galas, facilitating management and reducing the staggered harvesting of the fruit.

Another cultivar being launched in fruit production is the BRS Karajá blackberry, from Embrapa Clima Temperado (RS), which stands out for its upright shape and the absence of thorns on its stems, making it easier to handle. In this same area, the Pelotas Unit also presented the publication “Pecan: Cultivation, benefits and perspectives”, with technical information on the entire production context of the pecan tree and which can help producers affected by adverse weather conditions in the management for the recovery of orchards.

Embrapa Clima Temperado also launched the “Observatory of Agroforests in the Extreme South of Brazil”, which brings together successful experiences and information on Agroforests in the territory, providing support for investment in this type of system that can help in environmental restoration. And it also made available, in partnership with Embrapa Agricultura Digital (SP), Associação Brasileira da Indústria do Arroz (Abiarroz) and Arrozeira Pelotas, a first batch of rice tracked through a tool developed by Embrapa that uses blockchain technology, Sibraar.

In addition to the launches, Embrapa Pecuária Sul signed a letter of intent with Fetag-RS and the rural workers' unions of Pinheiro Machado (RS) and Caçapava do Sul (RS) for the development of the Qualigen Project, which aims to provide family farmers with genetic material from taurine breeds with superior genetics, highlights in evaluation programs and performance tests.

Embrapa has signed a technical cooperation agreement with Emater-RS regarding the actions of the Southern Platform and the emergency plan for the reconstruction of the state. The objective is to develop joint actions for the dissemination of sustainable technologies for agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul.

Event launch 

Embrapa Clima Temperado also launched Agroecologia 2024, a series of simultaneous events held at the Cascata Experimental Station (EEC) in Pelotas (RS), which brings together technologies and initiatives focused on ecologically-based agriculture. This year, the cross-cutting theme is “Recovery with Agroecology”. In addition to the events held throughout the year that receive the “Agroecology” seal, the official program includes three days of activities to be held from December 4 to 6, 2024.