This Monday morning, during the opening of the 5th National Congress of Agribusiness Women - CNMA, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of Brazil, Tereza Cristina Corrêa da Costa Dias participated in the round table “Economic and Political Environment”, when she spoke about the importance of agriculture in the recovery of the Brazilian economy post-pandemic and the European Union – Mercosur agreement, which is currently under discussion.
The Portuguese Minister of Agriculture, Maria do Céu Antunes, and the leader of the Alliance of International Cooperatives of Latin America, Uruguayan Graciela Fernandez, participated in the conversation, moderated by journalist Mônica Waldvogel.
Tereza Cristina praised rural producers, highlighting the challenges they face. “Women have always had more difficulty accessing credit, technology, innovation and also less access to cooperativism, a tool of the greatest importance. But we are working to change that and encourage them more and more.”
Regarding the sector, the minister highlighted that Brazilian agriculture has and will have an increasing role in the recovery of the country's economy post-pandemic. “Agriculture did not stop during the pandemic, despite the necessary adaptations in the logistics area, but we managed to keep this open-air industry working efficiently. Producing, processing, distributing and supplying not only our country, but also fulfilling our contracts with the most diverse international partners”, she highlighted.
Regarding the European Union-Mercosur agreement, the topic of a recent conversation with the Portuguese minister in Lisbon, she highlights the complementarity of the two countries in different segments of agriculture. “The agreement, as a whole, has advantages for both sides, not only in agriculture, but in several other sectors. However, to achieve this we have to put this debate on the table and discuss whatever is necessary, in a responsible manner, showing what we have to offer and what we need to move forward and improve. Putting it on balance, however, I know that we have more good examples than bad. European producers who fight our agriculture are the result of misinformation.”
Tereza Cristina also raised a delicate topic that has been questioned by European politicians, who accuse Brazil of not combating deforestation. “Brazil has very strict environmental laws for the agricultural sector and our Forest Code is perhaps one of the strictest in the world. Rural producers have a percentage of their property in which they need to preserve native vegetation; We have the CAR (Rural Environmental Registry), in which more than 6 million properties are registered, and we are always working to ensure that possible damage that was done in the past is repaired”, reinforced the Minister.
According to Maria do Céu, the European Union is in a model for building policies for the continent that is very focused on tackling the effects of climate change. “We all have the perception that if there is any economic activity that truly needs to have stability from an environmental-climate point of view, it is agriculture”, highlighted the Portuguese Minister of Agriculture.
She further explained that the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur is in everyone's interest from the outset, but that some member countries still have their reservations. “To change this we have to communicate well, in a transparent and open way, what we all believe in this agreement. We understand that an agricultural model is supported by the more efficient management of natural resources, and can also feed other sectors of economic activity and that these are complementary, such as Tourism and Gastronomy”.
The leader of the Alliance of International Cooperatives in Latin America, Uruguayan Graciela Fernandez spoke about the important role of cooperativism in the world, with millions of members. “We are convinced that in Brazil today, agrarian cooperativism has a relevance that is not seen in the rest of America and that it is a model to be followed. Today, most social sectors, companies and cooperatives, are working to make the necessary adjustments to face the technological transformations related to the 4th Industrial Revolution”.
She added that the impact and future consequences of the pandemic will serve to show Latin America's vulnerability in facing this type of crisis, especially for more fragile minorities, such as women, children, native peoples, informal workers, as well as a large part of family farming. and cooperatives. “Even so, once again we face a crisis and cooperatives have shown their resilience and strength, keeping the markets supplied.”
The opening of the 5th edition of the National Congress of Women in Agribusiness was attended by Alexandre Marcílio, general director of the Transamerica Expo Center, who welcomed the congresswomen and spoke of the importance of the event for the sector and for the female presence in the agro. "This edition of the CNMA is very special, as we have completed five years of many debates and exchanges of experiences that have yielded many fruits, generated relevant actions in the sector and highlighted women as major protagonists in the advances of Brazilian agribusiness.".
Still as part of the beginning of the event, the Development and New Business manager, Renata Camargo, paid tribute to the edition's ambassador: the agriculturalist, Sônia Bonato, visibly moved to be representing so many women who contribute to the evolution of agriculture.
Then, the president of ABAG (Brazilian Agribusiness Association), Marcello Brito, spoke about two aspects that, according to him, summarize the event: courage and vision of the future. “About 30 days ago, Brazil lost one of its greatest entrepreneurs, who always demonstrated these qualities, Aloísio Faria, who created the CNMA. This event is an example to be followed, because it brings together women who translate the meaning of life, of disruption and who bring this to the business. I am extremely pleased to see the success of this event and that it honors this great man who left us this year. Congratulations to all the women, men, that is, all the entrepreneurs who accompany us.”
After the success of the first edition of the “MinhaVozNoAgro” panel, the CNMA once again brought the participation of some women protagonists in agriculture to share their experiences. Today's space included Letícia Zamperlini, from ZJ Investimentos; Carminha Maria, from Sementes Oilema and Iara Corrêa, agribusiness manager, moderated by journalist and writer José Luiz Tejon and Bradesco's executive director, Glaucimar Peticov.
5th National Congress of Agribusiness Women - CNMA
Order date: 26 - 29 October 2020
Open Hours: 9h30 at 13h
More information: www.mulheresdoagro.com.br
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