“The quality and dissemination of information about Brazilian agribusiness are key to opening markets and building trust…”
Renata Bueno Miranda is an international relations analyst at Embrapa and former Secretary of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation, and Cooperativism at the Ministry of Agriculture.
Miranda holds a degree in food engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa and a M.Sc. from the Federal University of Lavras.
AgriBrasilis – What public policies promote innovation and sustainability in agribusiness?
Renata Miranda – Brazil has a robust set of policies that transcend governments and reflect the agribusiness sector’s historical commitment to innovation and sustainability. These policies create the conditions for a balanced economic, social, and environmental development model.
Among the key structural strategies are initiatives such as supply and stock regulation, mechanization and automation in the farms, rural credit, and agricultural insurance programs. Additionally, promotion policies like the ABC+ Plan (Low-Carbon Agriculture), Floresta+, and the Degraded Pasture Recovery Plan are fundamental for driving sustainable practices in the sector.
These actions not only strengthen productivity but also ensure the preservation of natural resources and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, positioning Brazil as a global leader in sustainable agriculture.
AgriBrasilis – What progress has been made in the recovery of degraded pastures?
Renata Miranda – The ABC+ Plan, now in its second decade, aims to recover over 30 million hectares of degraded pastures by 2030. In the first phase of the plan (2010-2020), the results were remarkable. We have surpassed the initial target of 15 million hectares and approximately 18 million hectares were recovered.
This progress was made possible by adopting technologies such as crop-livestock-forest integration (ILPF), no-till farming, and biological nitrogen fixation, which boost productivity while regenerating the soil.
Pasture recovery not only improves production efficiency but also helps reduce deforestation by allowing intensified production in already cleared areas, eliminating the need for further land expansion.
AgriBrasilis – Why is the State of Mato Grosso considered a model of sustainable agribusiness?
Renata Miranda – Mato Grosso is an emblematic example of sustainable tropical agriculture, showcasing Brazil’s potential in this area. The State combines high production efficiency with climate-responsible practices, proving that productive agriculture and preservation can go hand in hand. Like the rest of Brazil, Mato Grosso has up to three harvests per season, achieving high yields while reducing the use of inputs and natural resources.
Moreover, the State highlights Brazil’s leadership in renewable energy. While the global energy matrix consists of only 29% renewable sources, Brazil reaches 78%, with the State of Mato Grosso playing a significant role in this achievement. The State is also a cornerstone of the ABC+ Plan, the world’s largest low-carbon agriculture program, to mitigate 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2030.
With technologies like integration of livestock – forest – agriculture and no-till farming, Mato Grosso has established itself as a model of sustainable production, generating jobs and boosting national GDP. Thus, the State is not only a success story but also a reflection of Brazilian agribusiness’s vast potential.
AgriBrasilis – You mentioned that information is the key to sustainability. In what way?
Renata Miranda – Information is indeed the key to enhancing the value of sustainability in agribusiness. Today, it’s not enough to have high-quality products at competitive prices; it’s essential to communicate clearly and transparently how these products are made.
The quality and dissemination of information about Brazilian agribusiness are critical to opening markets and building trust with consumers and international partners. However, access to information is useless if it is not presented in a way that is accessible and useful to those who need it.
Transparency is the best tool to combat misinformation and build credibility. That’s why we invest in digital platforms and traceability systems that enable farmers to access and share data about their production, demonstrating their commitment to sustainable and legal practices.
AgriBrasilis – What is your assessment of your tenure as Secretary of Innovation, Sustainable Development, Irrigation, and Cooperativism?
Renata Miranda – My tenure was marked by the strategy of restoring Brazil’s voice on the global stage and highlighting farmers’ commitment to sustainability.
We worked intensely in international forums and with major markets to inform about Brazilian agribusiness and highlight our progress in sustainable practices.
One of our key initiatives was strengthening the ABC+ Plan by modernizing its databases and creating the AgroBrasil+Sustentável platform. This platform aims to enhance Brazilian agricultural production and empower farmers by providing them with accurate and accessible information about their properties. It represents a process of digital citizenship, eliminating dependency on intermediaries and allowing farmers to independently prove that their production is responsible and legally compliant.
Additionally, we maintained constant dialogue with the public and private sectors to align expectations and build a shared vision for the future of Brazilian agribusiness.
AgriBrasilis – What are Brazil’s plans for COP 30?
Renata Miranda – COP 30 is a crucial moment for Brazil to reaffirm its leadership in the global climate agenda. The conference goes far beyond agribusiness; it is a call to action for all economic sectors.
Brazil has a responsibility to lead by example, reflecting on its legacy since the Rio 92 Summit, which laid the foundation for global climate discussions.
At the top of the agenda is Climate Financing, an urgent and essential issue for enabling adaptation and mitigation actions. The impacts of climate change are already being felt worldwide, especially among the most vulnerable populations, making pragmatic and urgent action necessary.
Brazil will present concrete proposals at COP 30, such as the importance of degraded pasture recovery, the promotion of the bioeconomy, and ecosystem restoration. Additionally, the country will emphasize the need for international cooperation to secure resources and technologies that allow developing nations to meet their climate targets.
COP 30 will also be an opportunity for Brazil to demonstrate to the world that economic development and environmental preservation can go hand in hand, reinforcing its commitment to a sustainable future.
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