AgroBIT Brasil Evolution 2021 anticipates the future of agriculture in technology and innovation

Bringing together the main protagonists in the area of ​​technology and innovation in agribusiness, the 4th AgroBIT Brasil Evolution 2021 ended on a positive note, exceeding expectations with more than 3 thousand views, in-person guests and more than 20 thousand online interactions, originating from 11 countries - Germany, Argentina, Canada, Singapore, Denmark, United States, India, Indonesia, Israel, Paraguay and Portugal - as well as 20 Brazilian states and the Federal District.

There were more than 50 lectures distributed in four simultaneous arenas - AgroFuturo, AgroBIT Carreira, Agro Clima Global Summit and Smart Farm Mapa Conecta. In a hybrid format, in person and virtual experience, the event took place on the 9th and 10th.

The topics of the lectures were as varied as possible, showing the great diversity of subjects that permeate the world of innovation and technology in agribusiness. From the evolution of gene editing through DNA sequencing to data cooperativism and management and food technologies, as well as agricultural solutions and carbon credits.

"AgroBIT is a great opportunity for the participant to be in contact with the most current developments being discussed and implemented in the world of innovation in agriculture", says the general coordinator of AgroBIT, Daiana Bisogin, CEO of FB Group-Eventos , promoter of the event in partnership with Sociedade Rural do Paraná (SRP), Sebrae and Agro Valley.

The president of SRP, Antonio Sampaio, gave a positive assessment of the event. "Our role is to support innovation to bring new knowledge and technology to the field. And, from this point of view, the event fulfilled its function, bringing players together so that innovations can happen and reach producers", stated Sampaio.

As an event marked by the diversity of innovation and technology, AgroBIT featured the Agro Clima Global Summit, an arena that showcased the main climate projections and trends; Smart Farm Mapa Conecta, which had 13 startups participating in the pitches; the networking rooms and AgroBIT Carreira, which had the virtual presence of academics and professionals looking for ways to achieve success in the job market.

Ecotrace wins Smart Farm Mapa Conecta

Smart Farm Mapa Conecta selected 13 startups to compete for the award, which recognized the best solutions for agribusiness. First place went to Ecotrace, from Vinhedo (SP). The highlight in second place was the startup BirdView, from São Manuel (SP), and, in third place, two startups tied - JetBov, from Joinville (SC) and Tarvos de Campinas (SP).

The Judging Committee evaluated the pitches presented by the participants. In the final selection phase, the finalist startups presented themselves at the closing of AgroBIT Brasil Evolution 2021.

The startup Ecotrace offers a traceability solution. Initially, the solution was to track animal protein, expanding to any product produced in the field to the consumer's table.

The winners received a prize sponsored by GDM. More than rewarding, Smart Farm opened an important space for networking between startups and investors.

Nine farmers win the Rural Producer 4.0 Award

With the aim of encouraging rural producers who promote innovation in agriculture, the 4th edition of AgroBIT Brasil Evolution launched the Rural Producer Award 4.0.

Among the nine winners from various regions of Brazil, there are two women. One of them is rural producer and educator Tábata Ribeiro de Melo Stock, awarded 3rd place in the large property category. It produces grains, calves and wood on two properties in Paraná, in the municipality of Santa Maria do Oeste, and in Guarapuava.

For Tábata, being among the finalists for this award represents not only the recognition of hard work of innovation that brought greater productivity with respect to the environment and lower costs, but also a victory for all women who, like her, seek a place of equality.

The main innovation she made at the properties was in the area of ​​people management, so much so that she is considered a pioneer in the application of pedagogical techniques to improve team performance to obtain gains in productivity. "As a woman and successor for 9 years, I consider myself victorious. I believe that this phase of my life represents not only victories for me, but for all women who are in this agricultural sector", concludes Tábata, who was also awarded 10 days ago second place in the Bayer Women in Agriculture Award.

The other producer awarded by AgroBIT 2021 is Rosana Aparecida Gabardo Pallu, who came second in the small property category. At the head of the São Francisco de Sales farm, in Colônia Retiro, in Mandirituba, Paraná, the rural producer has been demonstrating that it is possible to increase productivity and take care of the environment.

Rosana is dedicated to growing 20 semi-hydroponic strawberry plants in a protected area of ​​2 square meters. Among the good agricultural practices she uses in the area to ensure sustainability, Rosana collects rainwater and stores it in a reservoir for reuse during the dry season.

Businessman and rural producer, Jônadan Ma, came in 1st place in the large property category. Owned by him, Fazenda Boa Fé, in the Conquista region, in Minas Gerais, is a model of sustainability. For around 40 years, Jônadan has invested in the diversification of its activity, implementing integrated production systems, such as Crop Livestock Integration and Crop Livestock Forest Integration as a way of preserving natural resources and increasing profitability. In grain production, he adopts all the principles of the Direct Planting System.

"It was a surprise and I am very grateful to have been awarded this award. We do not preserve to win a prize, but to value our work, the work of rural producers who have the responsibility of producing food. I understand my responsibility as a rural entrepreneur, rural producer and citizen in all aspects: whether social, environmental, technological and governance. And this motivates us to continue and advance", stated Jônadan Ma.

Rural producer Gleyciano Araujo Vasconcellos, who won 3rd place in the medium property category, implemented sustainable agriculture at Fazenda Pé de Cedro, in Mato Grosso do Sul, combining environmental improvements with reduced production costs. Inoculants are used intensively and pest and disease control is predominantly carried out through biological control.

"We received this award as a pleasant surprise. It indicates that we are on the right path, in addition to being a great incentive for those who promote innovation", said Gleyciano.

Producer José Amilcar Pastuch, from Sítio São José, was awarded third place in the small property category. Online, he thanked the award and highlighted the importance of organic production and the use of biological control. "It's an honor to receive this award. It really motivates us to increasingly be a sustainable property."

First place for the small property went to Paula's family, represented by Gilmar Marcelo de Paula, from Boa Esperança do Iguaçu, in the southwest region of Paraná. The main innovation that Paula's family made in the business was the development of a biogas plant using chicken litter.

In addition to producing poultry and grains, Paula's family began to generate electrical and thermal energy and also liquid organic fertilizer, solid organic fertilizer, hay and pre-dried JIGGS grass. After implementing biogas, the family saw annual productivity increase by more than 200% and heating costs drop by 70%.

"For us in Paula's Family, it is very important to be able to participate in AgroBIT and being among the winners is fantastic because it rewards a path that we have followed over four years with a lot of dedication. The award crowns hard work that is just beginning ", celebrated Gilmar.

Rural producer Carlos Gasparotto Apoloni, from the Boa Sorte Group, was the winner of the Rural Producer 4.0 Award, in the medium property category, for managing the Boa Sorte farm, in Quarto Centenário, in Paraná. On 650 hectares, the family of rural producers is a reference for good agricultural practices. "I receive the award with surprise. I see it as recognition for the work that always seeks to apply innovations and try new ways to improve agricultural activity. We try to stay up to date, using technologies that can add value to the farm", stated Gasparotto.

Part of the property's menu of good agricultural practices is the correct distribution of inputs, the acquisition of machines that have greater precision and conservation practices, such as Direct Planting. "We have become a reference in the use of technologies because we are able to get the most out of what they offer in planting and spraying. With this, we have achieved savings on pesticides, for example. We have incorporated other tools, such as satellite images to monitor crops. The prize came more for our insistence on not only acquiring technologies, but for trying to achieve high performance", concluded Gasparotto.

Online, producers José Bento Cavalcanti Germano and Maiquel Alberts, both from Arapoti/PR, also received and thanked the award.

José Bento Germano, from Fazenda Mutuca, was awarded second place in the large property category. It produces soybeans, corn, beans and wheat; soybean and wheat seeds; wood and resin and also beef cattle. According to him, the innovation that brought the best results was Direct Planting, introduced in the 80s. The system reduced the amount of fertilizers, maintained high productivity in bad years and guaranteed the sustainability of the business.

Maiquel Alberts, from Agropecuária Alberts, took second place in the medium property category. In addition to managing several rural properties, he cultivates 360 hectares of beans, soybeans, second-crop corn, second-crop sorghum, wheat, white and black oats, where he adopts Direct Planting and precision agriculture. The practices brought an increase in production, which resulted in increased production with sustainability.

Small Property Winners

1st place - Gilmar Marcelo de Paula - Sítio De Paula - Boa Esperança do Iguaçu/PR

2nd place - Rosana Aparecida Gabardo Pallu - São Francisco de Sales - Mandirituba/PR

3rd place - José Amilcar Pastuch - Sítio São José - Prudentópolis/PR

Average Property Winners

1st place - Carlos Gasparotto Apoloni - Fazenda Boa Sorte - Quarto Centenário/PR

2nd place - Maiquel Alberts - Agropecuária Alberts - Arapoti/PR

3rd place - Gleyciano Araújo Vasconcellos - Fazenda Pé de Cedro - Nova Alvorada do Sul/MS

Large Property Winners

1st place - Jônadan Ma - Fazenda Boa Fé - Conquista/MG

2nd place - José Bento Germano - Fazenda Mutuca - Arapoti/PR

3rd place - Tábata Ribeiro de Melo Stock - Fazenda Rio do Pedro - Santa Maria do Oeste/PR

Women are highlighted at AgroBIT Brasil Evolution

They manage the farms, are leaders and operate in the financial market. Inside and outside the gate, they are protagonists. The history of female participation in the rural universe was highlighted at AgroBIT Brasil Evolution 2021.

Roberta Paffaro, from CME Group (Chicago Stock Exchange) is one of the co-authors of the book "Mulheres do Agro". She participated in the Panel "Women of Agro: Technology, Innovations and Sorority", together with the other authors, Andrea Cordeiro, Mariely Biff and Ticiane Figueiredo.

Right after the panel, the authors participated in a chat about the challenges of female leadership in agriculture. "In the book, we brought inspiring stories of women who work in agriculture to show the potential and enhance the voice of these women. These stories serve as identification not only for other women, but also for men to understand that, together, they go a long way further", highlighted Roberta.

The author says that the book presents stories of women who did not understand anything about rural areas or who faced great adversities in life and had to take over the management of properties.

Roberta concluded by saying that women still need to gain a lot of space in agriculture. "The IBGE points out that 30% of leadership roles in agriculture are held by women, which reveals that it is a slow process, with some invisible barriers that do not make it possible to explore female potential."