On Tuesday, May 21st, the IBIP group checked out of the hotel and started the day with a bus tour of the city of Lucas do Rio Verde by our friend and tour guide, Ricardo Arioli Silva. He explained how the town had grown tremendously, especially over the past 5 years (12% per year!), since its founding about 3 decades ago. New industries, neighborhoods, and markets have emerged all over Lucas, where previously only cornfields had existed.

Next, we went to the Rio Verde Foundation (Fundacao Rio Verde) and listened to a presentation by the Environmental Secretary of Mato Grosso state. We learned that the Rio Verde Foundation was formed just over 20 years ago and consisted of an alliance of farmers, trade associations, agribusiness firms, and seed technology firms. The Rio Verde Foundation provides agricultural information, a medium for agricultural players to learn from each other, and stimulates debate among the relevant parties.

The environmental secretary explained the need for investment in infrastructure to improve the logistics for distributing crops for domestic use and export. They are currently building a railway along BR-163 that will help alleviate the logistical issues that farmers in Mato Grosso face. They believe that the new railway will save farmers around $30 per ton on transportation costs alone. Initially, the government will incur the costs for this railway construction, but private companies will ultimately pay for most of these expenditures. She also warned us of the challenges to improve the current infrastructure in an environmentally sustainable way and the difficulties associated with obtaining environmental licenses for such projects. Further, they stressed how important it is for the foundation to maintain stability in a city that is full of newcomers by providing support services such as schools and hospitals.

The Rio Verde Foundation also hosts the ENTEC$ National Farm Show, where agricultural equipment manufacturers and seed technology firms come together to promote and share their products with farmers and agricultural trade associations. For example, John Deere and many other large equipment dealers were present and had several pieces of farm equipment out for show. Also, each seed technology firm had several model plots to showcase their new breeds of seed for the growers. The farm show was very similar to the Farm Progress Show in the US.

Following the farm show we travelled to a combined grocery/buffet for lunch, where we indulged in the local Brazilian cuisine. We had a great time socializing and sharing our experiences and information from the morning. We then took a 5 and a half hour bus ride (south this time on the one and only BR-163) to the city of Cuiaba where we ate dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, our second one of the trip!!! Aprosoja, the Brazilian trade association for soybean farmers, hosted the delicious meal and we thank them for their generosity. Filet mignon, onion rings, grilled pineapple, and an amazing salad bar were among our favorite food options. We would like to thank the Rio Verde Foundation and Aprosoja for the hospitality and wonderful experiences today.

For photos, click here!