Rice from Santa Catarina gains international recognition.

The SCSBRS126 Dueto rice variety, developed by the Agricultural Research and Rural Extension Company of Santa Catarina (Epagri) in partnership with Embrapa, has received international recognition for its contribution to food security and the adaptation of agriculture to climate change. The variety was a global finalist for the “GBA Award for Impact and Leadership in Bioeconomy 2025,” promoted by the Global Bioeconomy Alliance of the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The award was presented during the GBA's annual conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, which took place from September 29 to October 3, 2025. 

Among proposals from various countries, Dueto stood out as one of the five best in the world. The award-winning project, "Rice Improvement for Extreme Temperatures in Addressing Climate Change Aiming at Food Security: The Success Story of the SCSBRS126 Dueto Variety," is coordinated by researcher Rubens Marschalek, from the Epagri Experimental Station in Itajaí (EEI), and developed by the Rice Project team, made up of researchers and extension agents from the company. 

Technology and resilience

The variety is the result of 15 years of research and a cooperation network between Epagri, Embrapa and Udesc/CAV, with support from CNPq, Fapesc, Finep and Capes. Commercially launched in 2023, Dueto is now present in more than half of the irrigated rice areas in Santa Catarina, according to Epagri.

As Marschalek explains, the main distinguishing feature of this variety is its genetic tolerance to extreme temperatures. While other varieties suffer sterility under intense cold (below 17°C) or excessive heat (above 38°C), Dueto maintains productivity, ensuring harvests even in adverse weather conditions. 

“The great merit of Dueto rice is combining productivity and stability in a scenario of climate change. It represents the future of rice farming, a scientific and technological response to the challenges of global warming,” he emphasizes.

Technological solutions strengthen agriculture in Santa Catarina.

According to Epagri's president, Dirceu Leite, the achievement reinforces the company's role in building technological solutions that strengthen agribusiness in Santa Catarina and global food security. He points out that Santa Catarina is the second largest rice producer in Brazil, responsible for 9% of the national cultivated area, distributed among 86 municipalities and approximately six thousand producers – mostly family farmers.

The evolution of productivity in the state reflects the impact of science: according to Epagri/Cepa, Santa Catarina produced 1,8 tons of rice per hectare in the 1970s and increased to 8,73 tons per hectare in 2025. "This transformation is the result of the integration between research, extension, producers and industry, a hallmark of the Santa Catarina model of rural development," emphasizes the president.

According to the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation at Epagri, Reney Dorow, the international recognition of Dueto symbolizes the leading role of public research. “Dueto rice is proof that innovation is born from applied science, built in partnership with those in the field. It is a source of pride for Santa Catarina and for Brazil to see a technology developed here being recognized worldwide for its contribution to sustainability and food security,” he concludes.