Mendes cites the importance of MT agriculture for food security

Governor Mauro Mendes highlighted, this Tuesday (02), the relevance of Brazilian agribusiness, especially that of Mato Grosso, for food security on the national and global stage.

Mauro Mendes participated in the opening of the Superfoods Summit Brasil, in Brasília (DF), which brought together politicians and representatives of international agribusiness to debate more sustainable strategies in food production.

In partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Beans, Pulses and Special Harvests (Ibrafe) and ApexBrasil, the governor signed an agreement for international commercial promotion of the sector.

“The world will face two major challenges in the coming decades. The first is food security and the second is climate change, which directly impacts food production. Mato Grosso is of great importance in this context, as we are protagonists in soybean, corn and cotton commodities”, stated the governor.

According to data from the State Secretariat for Economic Development (Sedec), the area planted with beans in Mato Grosso for the 2023/2024 harvest is expected to grow 10.5%, reaching 107.7 thousand hectares. Despite an increase in the cultivated area, bean production is projected to reach 297.7 thousand tons, a drop of 3.1% compared to the previous harvest, a reflection of the climatic adversities faced.

The same potential lies in sesame production. Mato Grosso is the largest national producer, with 90.7 thousand tons in an area of ​​185.5 thousand hectares.

The governor highlighted the need for investments in irrigation technologies and research to mitigate the adverse effects on agricultural production, due to irregular rainfall, in addition to reducing bureaucracy to facilitate the sector’s growth.

“We have made important investments in existing technologies in irrigation and genetic improvement to develop the production chain. Without forgetting to think about more flexibility, faster and more objective decisions to become important global players”, he explained.

Mauro highlighted that the government of Mato Grosso has already started partnerships to develop research aimed at implementing such technologies, demonstrating commitment to the advancement and sustainability of agribusiness in the State.

“The government understands the importance of this sector to diversify our economy and we are willing to continue making new investments so that this sector can grow in Mato Grosso”, he concluded.

The opening panel was also attended by Ambassador Suresh Reddy (Indian Ambassador to Brazil); the president of the Brazilian Institute of Beans, Pulses and Special Harvests (IBRAFE), Marcelo Eduardo Lüders; the Secretary of Economic Development of Mato Grosso, Cesar Miranda; the president of Conab, Edgar Pretto; and the president of Apex Brasil, Jorge Viana.