Official Opening of the Rice Harvest will be attended by the vice-president

Technology, innovation and sustainability are fundamental themes that will be part of the program for the 31st Official Opening of the Rice Harvest. During a virtual press conference held this Thursday, January 28th, the president of the Federation of Rice Growers Associations of Rio Grande do Sul (Federarroz), Alexandre Velho, highlighted the responsibility of this sector, which is a protagonist in Brazilian production, in taking to the producer tools that help him to be increasingly efficient in his business.

The leader also highlighted the hybrid way in which the event will be held. “Many activities such as lectures, tributes and the opening ceremony will be accessible online or in person. However, some actions will be exclusively in person, such as, for example, the technological showcases and the Fair,” he explained, noting, however, that all health protocols will be followed in order to avoid risks to those present. Velho also placed formal authorization for the event to be held by the Association of Municipalities of the South Zone of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Azonasul) and confirmation at the meeting location of the National Rice Sector Chamber.

Velho informed that the presence of the Vice President of Brazil, General Hamilton Mourão, is confirmed in person at the Opening, as well as the Minister of Agriculture, Tereza Cristina, online on the 09th, at the Opening of the Lectures. He also highlighted the participation in the event of the Federal Universities of Pelotas (Ufpel), Santa Maria (UFSM) and Rio Grande do Sul (Ufrgs) presenting their experiments, and of Epagri of Santa Catarina, Embrapa and Irga.

The president of Federarroz stated that the sector is increasingly seeking to intensify the production system and not depend on monoculture, including this year addressing the issue of livestock farming with more intensity. “This is a consolidated event that has attracted producers from several Brazilian states, as well as other countries, for 30 years. Of course, this year due to the pandemic we will not have people from outside Brazil. But we thought that due to our leading role in more than 200 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul that depend on this crop, it was very important to carry out the Harvest Opening with all the necessary precautions,” he noted.

Also participating in the virtual press conference were the general head of Embrapa Clima Temperado, Roberto Pedroso, and the president of the Instituto Riograndense do Arroz (Irga), Ivan Bonetti. According to Pedroso, the company will present technologies from eight of its research units in Brazil, both in technological showcases and in lectures. Bonetti, in turn, stated that the event has long served as a model for other crops, highlighting the economic importance of rice for the State in generating revenue and employment.

With the theme “The New Directions of the Production System”, the 31st Official Opening of the Rice Harvest will take place from February 9th to 11th in a hybrid format, with online options on the event website and in person at the Terras Baixas Experimental Station, from Embrapa Clima Temperado, in Capão do Leão (RS). It is carried out by Federarroz, co-organized by Embrapa and premium sponsorship by Irga and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa).