New president of Embrapa visits Pelotas research unit

This Wednesday, December 12th, Embrapa Clima Temperado (Pelotas, RS), a research unit linked to the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), received for the first time the visit of its new president, Sebastião Barbosa, who also came get to know the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Barbosa inaugurated, alongside the General Manager, the Food Center and the Bioinputs and Genetic Resources Center, at the headquarters of the Research Unit, at BR 392, km 78, in Pelotas. The event was attended by the main leaders of the production chains in Rio Grande do Sul. The president was sworn in in October this year and has dedicated himself to visits to verify the reality of the development and performance of agricultural research.

Challenges for Embrapa

In Sebastião Barbosa's inauguration speech, he highlighted that it is time to think about the challenges that Embrapa will have to face in the coming years, in a global scenario of more demanding consumers, who want to access cheaper, but modern and produced food, fibers and forestry products. with economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The Company's restructuring process started this year was confirmed by the new president, with the participation of decentralized research units and partners. Likewise, it will strictly follow the direct guidance of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) on the need for closer ties between the Company and the productive sector, through associations, cooperatives, unions, federations, work to be carried out in partnership with the National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) and the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB).

Another point raised by Barbosa is to review research priorities, while paying attention to typical vocations of Brazilian agriculture. Strengthening the sectors of milk and dairy products, fish, fruits and native essences, and forestry products are examples given by the leader. However, he indicated the great effort needed to strengthen the research agenda for the Semiarid region.  

He also confirmed that Embrapa will seek new forms of financing, given the scenario of strong budget restrictions that make it difficult to renew the Company's scientific staff. He also cited the need to implement an advanced and continued training program, as well as the renewal of machines, laboratories, equipment and vehicles.  

Laboratories opened

The Food Center is made up of the areas of food technology and post-harvest aimed at developing and qualifying agro-industrial processes for the production of sweets, juices, preserves, dehydrated products, minimally processed products, pulps, dairy derivatives and olive oils, aiming at aggregation value and market access. The Olive Oil Analysis Laboratory is part of this Center, which has requested accreditation this year and will be the only one in the country with 100% automated analysis.

The Biological Inputs and Genetic Resources Center brings together the areas of biotechnology and molecular biology, tissue culture and bioinputs aimed at supporting genetic improvement programs for cereals, fruits and vegetables, as well as the development of biological-based processes and assets for use in agriculture related to biological nitrogen fixation, plant growth promotion, new fertilizers and bioremediation.

The two structures are part of a strategic action adopted by the management of the Research Unit to seek cost rationalization and the sharing of structures to support research, development and innovation at the limit and are located at the headquarters of the Pelotas research center.