Operation Harvest 2025/2026 strengthens security in Western Bahia

The Bahian Cotton Producers Association (Abapa) participated on Monday (29) in the launch of Operation Harvest 2025/2026. This is the 12th edition of the initiative that unites farmers from Western Bahia, through the Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (Aiba), and the State Government, through the Public Security Secretariat (SSP) and the Bahia Agricultural Defense Agency (Adab), to form a security task force, between October 2025 and March 2026, to prevent the theft of chemical pesticides used for planting.

For the cotton industry, in addition to enhancing safety, the action is strategically important, as it ensures compliance with the flow of phytosanitary defense measures against diseases and pests such as the boll weevil, which can be extremely damaging to cotton crops. The launch took place at the Advanced Base of the Air Patrol Group (GRAER) in Barreiras.

"Operation Harvest is a defense operation par excellence: not only for the lives, physical integrity, and property of the citizens of Western Bahia, but also for the continuity of regional agricultural activity. Phytosanitary protection is a strategic pillar of our production, especially cotton, and we know how vigilant we need to be in controlling the enemies of productivity. When products with high commercial value are stolen, crops become vulnerable and productivity is at risk," explains Alessandra Zanotto Costa, president of ABAPA.

During the operation, a force of over 1,000 personnel will be on duty, with 32 officers deployed weekly across eight units. The operation is coordinated by the Bahia Military Police and the Western Region Police Command (CPRO), and involves the participation of several specialized units, such as the Special Missions Policing Command, the Military Police Operations Command, and the Specialized Highway Patrol Command.

"When the State Government, through the Public Security Department, ADAB, and the organizations—very well represented by AIBA—work together, we advance what we need most for our production: security. Not just for the properties, but for the people who are directly or indirectly linked to the region's agribusiness," he stated.

Policing will be reinforced in rural and urban areas, covering 91.601,45 km² and a population of around 500 people in ten municipalities: Barreiras, Luís Eduardo Magalhães, São Desidério, Formosa do Rio Preto, Cocos, Correntina, Baianópolis, Jaborandi, Riachão das Neves and Santa Maria da Vitória.

"This partnership between the government and the private sector is crucial for the region. The Operation, which began in 2014, is a successful initiative, and the West region has everything to gain," said Colonel Soares Mariano, Commander of the Western Region Police Command (CPRO).

Technology

In the 2025/2026 edition, security cameras are being installed in strategic locations for real-time monitoring. "This will allow us to immediately recognize cars and people through facial recognition," explained Aiba president Moisés Schmidt, who also stated that other technologies will be incorporated to increase the radio's range.

Additionally, QR codes will be implemented on farms to facilitate police identification of producers. "The information collected will be instantly forwarded to the Military Police control centers," said Schmidt. For Adab's general director, Paulo Sérgio Luz, Operation Safra "has already set an example for the whole of Brazil, which is a success story."

According to the technical cooperation agreement signed between Adab, Aiba and PM, it was established that Aiba will donate eight trucks to assist in policing and Adab will act in phytosanitary control and in the inspection of the transit of agricultural products and defensives.