RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In an exclusive interview with The Rio Times, on the occasion of Agroleite, the milk trade show held in Castro, Paraná, the ambassador emphasized that it was Dutch immigrants who brought all the technology, including the famous “Dutch Cow”, that has turned the region into the largest milk producer in Brazil today.
This close partnership remains strong today, “particularly in the transformation of technology, automation, and innovation. This is what we contribute to,” says Cornelis van Rij.
Regarding the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, the ambassador emphasizes that it will be good for both. “We followed and signed the Mercosur treaty, which will open the market even further. Brazil is a country that most Dutch people associate with positive signals.”
“In terms of economic relations, the Netherlands stands between the third and fourth largest foreign investor in Brazil. Brazil’s fourth largest export destination is the Netherlands, after China, the United States and Argentina, because we have the port of entry to the rest of Europe. One of the main products entering the Netherlands is soybeans, as well as fruit. Many of these products are then exported to other European countries.”
Agroleite – the milk showcase
In the annual event held in August, forums, international seminars and panels are held to discuss genetics, food, animal quality, milk quality and technologies for the sector. There is also an area for agriculture, pig and sheep farming, significant productive sectors for the event organizer. This year’s distinguishing feature was the pavilion focused on “innovation”.
“It is my first visit as an Ambassador. And it is a display of milk technology for Brazil. This fulfillment becomes even greater, knowing that the community of Dutch descendants here in Paraná has significantly contributed to the productive history of the region,” said Cornelis van Rij at the show’s inaugural speech.
The ambassador emphasized the difficulties, particularly with regard to the logistics that immigrants had in the mid-1910s when a large wave arrived in Brazil. According to him, local milk production today is four times higher than the national average. This is all due to Dutch technologies and partnerships with Brazilian producers.
The milk trade show also includes animal exhibitions, dairy tournaments, calf clubs, auctions, field days, and machine dynamics. During the event, forums, international seminars, and panels will also be held to discuss genetics, feeding, animal quality, milk quality, and technologies for the sector. There is also an area dedicated to agriculture, pig and sheep farming and other important productive sectors.
Innovation
In the “innovation” pavilion, the show brought samples of Brazilian technologies, in particular, the development of vants and drones used for geotechnology and agriculture. Many seeds and feed developers also displayed their “innovations” at stands set up at the fair.
The young entrepreneurs of XMobots introduced some innovative drone models like “Arator 5”, which maps up to 1,000 hectares. With a hull built with carbon fiber, the drone has a flight autonomy of over eighty minutes. Another model, the “Echar 20D”, maps up to 7,100 hectares per flight depending on climate and landscape conditions.
Representatives of Cyklo Agritech Startups Accelerator also attended, noting that next September, an initiative will be started that will invest in projects focused on agribusiness. Its headquarters will be in the town of Luís Eduardo Magalhães, Bahia.