Governor Helder Barbalho highlights the strength of sustainable agriculture during the opening of the 63rd Ruralist Meeting
With the theme "The Challenges of Agro Pará on the Way to COP-30", the program highlighted the state's leadership in building solutions that reconcile economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental preservation.
Governor Helder Barbalho, accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor, Hana Ghassan, participated this Tuesday (3) at the Palace of Agriculture in Belém, in the 63rd Ruralist Meeting. The meeting brought together leaders from the agricultural sector, producers, specialists, and authorities to discuss the challenges and opportunities of sustainable production towards COP30, which will take place in November, also in the capital of Pará. With the theme "The Challenges of Agro Pará on the Way to COP30", the program highlighted the state's leadership in building solutions that reconcile economic growth, technological innovation, and environmental preservation.
At the event, Governor Helder Barbalho and Lieutenant Governor Hana Ghassan were honored with the Jahyr Seixas Commendation, created in recognition of the contribution of personalities to the development of agriculture in the state. In his speech, Helder reaffirmed his government's commitment to dialogue, legal security, and strengthening rural production.
Actions - The head of the state executive also highlighted advances in land regularization and innovative initiatives, such as the environmental requalification of degraded areas.
"In just one measure, we managed to reactivate more than 300 thousand hectares that had their [Environmental Rural Registration] CAR suspended. We are creating a model where restoration and production go hand in hand, with support from the private sector and science," said the governor. He also celebrated a 19% reduction in deforestation in Pará in May, even with the increase in the rate in the Legal Amazon. "We are doing our part and we will show at COP30 that it is possible to preserve and produce responsibly," added the governor.
Lieutenant Governor Hana Ghassan, who also received the commendation, highlighted the role of agriculture in job creation and the growth of the state GDP.
"This sector drives our state. We will continue to advance with investments in infrastructure, security, and workforce qualification. The countryside needs roads, bridges, and public policies that lower freight costs and strengthen the competitiveness of our producers," she pointed out. Hana also reaffirmed the commitment to technical education to prepare young people to work in the field.
History - With more than six decades of history, the Ruralist Meeting reaffirms its role as a space for collective construction in the state. According to the president of Faepa, Carlos Xavier, the forum seeks to articulate public policies, promote innovation, and ensure inclusion and sustainability for Pará's agriculture.
"With COP-30 on the horizon, the Ruralist Meeting consolidates itself as a thermometer of transformations in the field. The issues debated, the honors paid, and the commitments reaffirmed in Belém leave no doubt: Pará's agriculture is in motion — towards sustainability, inclusion, and global leadership," emphasized Carlos Xavier.
Participation - The diversity of participants highlighted the representative nature of the event. From Piçarra, in the southeastern region of Pará, the secretary of the Piçarra Rural Producers Union (Sipropi), William Lunardi, attended the meeting for the first time and highlighted the role of the meeting as a link between unions, producers, and the public power. "It is a space for us to bring our demands and hear responses. This brings the producer closer to politics and strengthens our representation," said the participant.
The relevance of the event for territorial development was also highlighted by the president of Sebrae-PA, Rubens Magno. He recalled that the countryside is not just made up of large businesses. "Sebrae operates in all 144 municipalities, supporting small producers with planting, marketing, and export techniques. An event like this, with the engagement of the state government, is essential to enhance these efforts," he stated.
Leadership - One of the most symbolic moments was the official launch of the I Forum of Women in Agro of the Amazon, scheduled for October. The initiative was presented by Cristina Malcher, president of the Women in Agro Commission of the State of Pará, who highlighted the strength of women in the field. For Andreza Rios, president of the Women in Agro Commission of Tucuruí, the presence of the governor and the lieutenant governor reinforces the empowerment and appreciation of rural producers. "Hana is our godmother of agro. This strengthens our work for sustainable and inclusive production," she stated.
The technical program featured prominent names such as Evaristo de Miranda, Bruno Lucchi, Renato Conchon, Aldo Rebelo, Muni Lourenço, and Luís Ercílio Faria Jr., addressing topics such as innovation, the impact of tax reform, the presence of Brazilian agriculture at COP-30, and the strategic value of the Amazon for the world. The debates were complemented by presentations of projects from the CNA/SENAR System, such as ATeG, Agro-BR, and Health in the Field, in addition to the launch of the CNA New Leadership initiative.
Text by Vinícius Leal / Ascom Ideflor-Bio
