CDFA Secretary Karen Ross has concluded her visit to Brazil and is looking forward to next steps in collaboration on trade and climate.
During the closing portion of trip, the California delegation visited farms, packing houses, research facilities, and business incubators focusing on biological development within the agricultural sector.
Brazil’s leadership on agricultural biologicals and integrated pest management was on full display during the trip, including on-farm rearing and release of biological controls (parasitoid wasps in avocado production) as well as recent governmental action to provide a separate pathway for the registration of biological inputs, allowing for faster commercialization and on-farm use.
Visits to Koppert and Ideelab further underscored the momentum in the biologicals space — where solutions are actively being pursued, with grower input, to address bio-control needs. One example that was provided highlighted the reduction of the chemical spending for a specific pest, from an estimated $1 billion in costs to $100 million over the course of 10 years because of the introduction of a bio-based alternative.
Other visits included Fundecitrus, an association of citrus growers and juice industries, established to further sustainable development of the citrus industry. Citrus Greening, also known as huanglongbing (HLB) is currently a focus of the organization, with innovative research supporting new approaches to combat the disease. AgNest Farm highlighted agricultural technology and biological input trials to support grower adaptation and use. AgNest Farm is a public-private partnership of financial lenders and Brazil’s agricultural research institute, Embrapa.
Brazil is an inspiring market because there is an established system of research institutions, businesses and growers looking for solutions for ag-related pests, disease and climate adaptation.
Next steps for collaboration include the COP 30 conference in Brazil in November, the Salinas Biological Summit next June, ongoing UC ANR connections with academic partners, and expanding grower engagement with the biological companies visited on the trip. For trade, the Angua Select Brazil exhibition next April will be an opportunity to explore potential partnerships.
California’s delegation included: Karen Morrison, CA Department of Pesticide Regulation; Don Cameron, Terranova Ranch (State Board); Glenda Humiston, UC ANR; Shannon Douglass, California Farm Bureau Federation; Jeana Cadby, Western Growers; Pamela Marrone, biological entrepreneur; Frank Muller, M Three Ranches, David Shabazian, State Board of Food and Agriculture; and Daniel Sonke, Blue Diamond Growers.
