Professors and researchers from Unicamp held, this Thursday (13), the second meeting of the AgroBioValor project, an initiative aimed at identifying and developing research projects that can contribute to innovation, sustainability and adding value in Brazilian agribusiness. The meeting also included the participation of representatives from other institutions.
André Cabral, advisor to Carlos Alberto Aragão de Carvalho Filho, director of Scientific and Technological Development at the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (Finep), a public company linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), participated via video. He works at the federal agency with project subsidies.
The meeting also included the introduction of the project's vice-coordinator, Professor José Nelio Sales, from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF).
According to Gláucia Pastore, professor at the Faculty of Food Engineering (FEA) at Unicamp and coordinator of the AgroBioValor movement, the meeting aimed to advance the definition of the units and projects that could be included in the initiative. The group also began conversations with businesspeople from different sectors, including producers linked to coffee and meat. The goal is to bring research closer to the demands of the productive sector.
“This initiative is aligned with the University's proposal to expand the contribution of science and technology to the country. We don't want to limit ourselves to the University or remain solely within the state of São Paulo. We need to open ourselves up to the whole country,” said Pastore.
Dependency
The Finep representative emphasized the need to increase private sector participation in research, development, and innovation. According to Cabral, Brazil needs to advance in adding value to food and reduce its dependence on commodity exports.
Cabral also highlighted the risks and time required to transform research into products and businesses. In this context, he advocated for closer ties between companies, universities, and science and technology institutions, with instruments such as economic subsidies to stimulate private investment in innovation.
Pontos
Brazilian biodiversity and the challenges related to food production were also discussed. Among the points mentioned by the Finep representative were the need to produce more in smaller areas, reduce losses during processing and transportation, as well as decrease environmental impacts and Brazil's dependence on imported fertilizers.
During his remote participation, Cabral also addressed the exploitation of Brazilian biodiversity by foreign groups. “Brazil is about 30 years behind technologically. Strengthening the national capacity for research and innovation is necessary to prevent the country from becoming dependent on international companies. This would also serve to encourage professionals to settle in regions like the Amazon, for example,” he said.
Aggregate
BioAgroValor is an initiative that aims to bring together different units of Unicamp – and other academic and business institutions – to transform products, waste, and byproducts of agribusiness into high-value-added materials, with applications in the areas of food, health, pharmaceuticals, packaging, and industry. With new meetings soon – the idea is to hold at least one meeting per month – Professor Pastore emphasizes that the BioAgroValor proposal also seeks to expand the role of Brazilian science in generating innovation and wealth from biodiversity and agro-industrial production in Brazil.
Cover photo:
