Embrapa Cerrados begins new management.

Researcher Jorge Werneck assumed the General Management of Embrapa Cerrados in January. His term is two years, renewable for another two. The new management team includes researcher Edson Sano, Deputy Head of Research and Development and Acting General Manager; analyst Cristiane Cruz, Deputy Head of Technology Transfer; and analyst Herler Oliveira, Deputy Head of Administration.

The handover ceremony is scheduled for February 12th at 10:00 AM in the Wenceslau Goedert auditorium, with the presence of the president of Embrapa, Silvia Massruhá, and the director of R&D, Clenio Pillon.

An agricultural engineer with a doctorate in Environmental Technology and Water Resources, the new general manager brings experience from his time at the Regulatory Agency for Water, Energy and Basic Sanitation of the Federal District (Adasa), where he was director (2017 to 2022), the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA), where he served as superintendent (2022 to 2023), and the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development of Goiás (Semad-GO), as undersecretary of Biodiversity, Conservation Units and Water Security (2023 to 2024).

Despite having a 25-year career at Embrapa, Werneck proposes an administration guided by transparency and dialogue: "We want to restore everyone's sense of belonging so that we have a work environment with recognition, cooperation, and opportunities for professional development."

Highlights of the work plan

To ensure a positive organizational climate within the Unit, with genuine closeness between teams and management, the work plan presented for this period includes: open communication channels for employee suggestions and requests; participatory management with quarterly meetings with the entire team to discuss the Unit's direction and ensure everyone is aligned on management's guidelines; transparent agreements with work goals discussed and agreed upon with each sector; support and training for the adoption of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, so that teams are prepared for current and future challenges.

The management will focus on strengthening the integration between science, public policies, and the productive sector. “To maintain the Unit's relevance to the productive sector and society, we will emphasize the active pursuit of international partnerships and new funding streams. This will be essential to ensure that the vast knowledge generated by Embrapa Cerrados over the last 50 years is transformed into accessible solutions for society,” he emphasizes.

Challenges and proposals

With regard to research and development, the expectation is to strengthen Embrapa Cerrados as a center of reference in tropical savanna agriculture. "We will dedicate efforts to expanding international technical cooperation, attracting international resources, and transferring technologies to other countries with a predominance of tropical savannas," emphasizes the head of R&D, Edson Sano.

Another key challenge, according to the new manager, will be to consolidate the Center's research activities and deliverables so that they reflect the needs of the productive sector, commitments to sustainability, and advances in technological innovation. "In short, we intend to strengthen the integration of socioeconomic and environmental dimensions in Embrapa Cerrados' R&D agendas, which will require ongoing dialogue with the productive sector, public and private partners, and national and international research networks," he concludes.

At the head of Technology Transfer, Cristiane Cruz sees the main challenge as scaling up the knowledge that Embrapa Cerrados already produces: “We have to ensure that science reaches those who decide to use it in a clear and useful way. It's not just about transferring technology – we want to transfer it better, safely, strategically, and with impact.” Cristiane explains that the plan is to work in an integrated way with the R&D area, mapping and prioritizing technologies, so that the Unit can connect with those who need them most, define instruments that allow it to increase its reach, and, above all, highlight the results generated.

In managing the Unit, the focus will be on seeking greater agility and clear workflows so that projects are developed efficiently, avoiding the loss of opportunities that may arise. "I will seek to contribute to strengthening administrative management, supporting research activities efficiently and through dialogue, based on transparency, respect for regulations, and valuing people," emphasizes the Head of Administration.

For the remaining positions, researchers Kleberson de Souza was appointed to the Administrative Coordination of Innovation Support (CSI) and Maria Emília Alves to the Internal Technical Committee (CTI). Cláudio Magnabosco remains in his position at the Animal Performance Center (CDA); Lincoln Loures at the Plant Genetics Innovation Center (CIGV); and Adriano de Mesquita at the Center for Technology for Zebu Dairy Breeds (CTZL).