XXXI National Corn and Sorghum Congress brings together experts in Bento Gonçalves, RS

The XXXI National Corn and Sorghum Congress began this Sunday, September 25th, in Bento Gonçalves, with the theme: "Innovations, markets and food security". For four days, the event will discuss the research scenario and the corn and sorghum market in Brazil, involving producers, technical assistance and researchers. More than 400 people attended the opening ceremony, which was led by the president of the Brazilian Corn and Sorghum Association, Décio Karam and the president of the Congress, Zeferino Chielle.

The general head of Embrapa Corn and Sorgo, Antônio Álvaro Corsetti Purcino, gave the opening speech, representing the president of Embrapa, Maurício Lopes. Purcino praised the initiative of ABMS and its partners in holding the event. He highlighted that Congress contributes to achieving the production target of more than 100 million tons of corn. "This is possible. And for that, we have to have technologies," he said.

Purcino highlighted that more than 400 research works will be presented at the Congress, which bring new technologies to producers. "Of this total work, a third was carried out by Embrapa Milho e Sorgo. We will discuss technologies to increase production, productivity and to supply the market, not just in Brazil, but the world market", he stated. Antônio Álvaro also highlighted the launch of the book "500 questions, 500 answers about sorghum".

The president of the State Foundation for Agricultural Research (Fepagro) and president of the National Council of State Agricultural Research Entities (Consepa), Adoralvo Antônio Schio, who represented the secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation of Rio Grande do Sul; the president of the Banco Regional do Extremo Sul, Odacir Klein, who represented the governor of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, José Ivo Sartori; and the technical director and interim president of Emater-RS, Lino Moura, who represented the secretary of Rural Development, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Tarcísio Minetto.

Odacir Klein, when commenting on the Congress program, emphasized that there must be increasing advancement in the world's food supply, without compromising future generations. “We have a responsibility to produce food sustainably,” said Klein. The president of the Agronomic Institute of Paraná and Consepa, Florindo Dalberto, highlighted that "the researchers' greatest commitment is to share knowledge."

The XXXI National Corn and Sorghum Congress is promoted by ABMS, organized by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), State Agricultural Research Foundation (Fepagro), Emater/RS – Rio-Grandense Association of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Enterprises (Ascar) and Government of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

- Click here to see the Congress schedule;

- AND here to check the poster schedule.