Event in Londrina discusses sustainable and low-carbon soy

Soybean producer profitability can increase even in the face of growing environmental demands, which require sustainable and low-carbon practices. To support soybean farmers during this time of social and regulatory transformation, the Londrina Association of Agricultural Engineers (AEA-LD) will hold the 27th Soybean Production Technology Meeting on August 16th, focusing on Decarbonization and Sustainability.

The meeting will take place at the AEA headquarters in Londrina, Paraná, and will feature lectures, panels, and a space for interaction with experts. The opening session will be led by agronomist Eduardo Bastos, president of the Sustainable Agrocarbon Chamber of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, who will address the Brazilian agrocarbon market. The program also includes discussions on international pricing, conservation practices, and, at the end of the day, a talk show on sustainable experiences in the field. The event concludes with a Charity Happy Hour benefiting the Londrina Institute of Education for Exceptional Children (Ilece).

For agricultural engineer Adriano Custódio, technical director of AEA and responsible for the event's program, the theme reflects global demands on agribusiness. "The world is demanding decarbonization. In large-scale soybean farming, we already apply techniques such as no-till farming, integrated pest management, and intensive cultivation, which contribute to sustainability. This care goes beyond conscience: it's a market requirement. In the near future, countries will pay for low-carbon soybeans," he emphasizes.

Gervasio Vieira, AEA's director of professional policy, emphasizes the current relevance of the debate. "With COP-30 coming to Brazil in 2025, new agreements should accelerate the pursuit of greater sustainability. Producers need to be prepared for this scenario," he states.

Featured conservation practices

Studies show that no-till farming can remove up to 1 ton of CO₂ equivalent per hectare per year. However, simplified crop rotations, with soybeans followed only by second-crop corn, have proven insufficient to ensure optimal levels of soil organic carbon—considered a key indicator of agricultural quality.

Agricultural engineer Cezar Francisco Araujo Junior, one of the panelists, points out that emissions in agriculture are primarily linked to land-use changes, inadequate soil management, incorrect application of nitrogen fertilizers, waste burning, and the use of fossil fuels. "The goal is to show producers how to adopt a culture that is both sustainable and profitable," he explains.

AEA's Protagonism

Founded in 1969, the Association of Agricultural Engineers of Londrina is a regional and national reference in the promotion of technologies and the defense of sustainable agribusiness.

According to President Renato Arantes, “the association has been a key player in the transfer of new technologies, spreading knowledge from Londrina to other regions of the country.”