São Paulo will have an Agricultural Innovation Corridor

A cooperation agreement was signed today (28/8), during an event celebrating Digital Agriculture Day, at Embrapa Digital Agriculture, in Campinas (SP), between the Agribusiness Research Directorate (Apta), Pacege Institute and Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) for the constitution of the São Paulo Agricultural Innovation Corridor, known as Corredor Agro.

The agreement provides for the implementation of the governance structure, with the establishment of the board of directors and the executive committee, as well as the conduct of studies and definitions of the legal framework, the bylaws, and the revenue capture plan. The Agro Corridor's communication will also be structured, with the operationalization of the website, the creation of an events calendar, and social media profiles.

The Agro Corridor is a strategic alliance project that integrates the regions of Ribeirão Preto, São Carlos, Piracicaba, Campinas, and São José dos Campos, recognized for their agricultural tradition and the presence of key players in technological development (universities, research institutes, innovation environments, agtechs, and rural producers). The initiative, implemented in 2021, seeks to establish mutual cooperation between partners and promote innovation in agribusiness.

Embrapa's Director of Innovation, Business, and Technology Transfer, Ana Euler, highlighted the importance of the Agro Corridor, which is home to a large number of agribusiness startups. According to Radar AgTech Brasil 2024, a mapping exercise conducted by Embrapa, SP Ventures, and Homo Ludens, the state of São Paulo has 860 agribusiness startups, representing over 40% of the total national number. Many of these are located within the Agro Corridor's coverage area.

"The idea is that Embrapa, as a national research institution, can connect this corridor with many other innovation corridors in other regions," said the director.

Although progress has been made over the past four years, such as mapping the territory, developing an identity and brand, holding events and meetings, and coordinating with partners, the governance and legal framework for the Agro Corridor still lacked structure, which will now be done.

Initially, Embrapa, representing the federal government, and Apta, representing the state of São Paulo, and the Pecege Institute (Agtech Valley – Piracicaba) are signing the agreement. However, in the future, other partners such as Sebrae-SP, the Technology Parks of Ribeirão Preto (Supera), São José dos Campos, and OnovoLab, in São Carlos, may join the Strategic Alliance.

According to the Radar AgTech Brasil 2024, a survey conducted by Embrapa, SP Ventures, and Homo Ludens, the state of São Paulo has 860 agribusiness startups. Most of them are located within the Agro Corridor.

The signed agreement is valid for three years and does not provide for the transfer of resources between the signatories.