GAFFF -Global Agribusiness Forum - São Paulo - Brazil

by Jefferson dos Santos Estevo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) On June 27 and 28, the Global Agribusiness Forum, or GAFFF, took place, with the acronym also encompassing the additional "F"s: Fair, Fun, and Food. The event was held at Allianz Park soccer stadium, which hosts major concerts throughout the year in São Paulo, Brazil. Thus, in a stadium with a capacity for more than 40,000 people, GAFFF showcased its grandeur, elevating the reputation of its brands.

The main organizers of the event were XP Investimentos, one of the largest financial companies in Brazil, and DATAGRO, an agribusiness consultancy, that also maintains another event, previously described on this portal.

Unlike DATAGRO, which is especially focused on sugar, ethanol, and other biofuels, GAFFF was a comprehensive event, as its name suggests, with Brazilian agribusiness at its core.

The event took place in three parts of the stadium. On the field, the players made way for exhibitors from various segments, ranging from large companies like Chevrolet and Mondelez to small family farmers displaying different products and foods. Also in this space, there were classes on meat, such as cuts and barbecue, as well as food sales, though the options were limited despite the "Food" in the name. At the end of both days, the stadium field hosted concerts by famous Brazilian artists like Chitãozinho & Xororó and Jorge & Mateus.

In the stands, one section featured the Arena forum, with speakers from various fields and countries.

Over the two days, there were two stages, Roots and Fertile Future, running simultaneously, allowing attendees to choose which to listen to, with simultaneous translation available. The themes and speakers were quite diverse, covering a wide range of topics such as environmental preservation, agribusiness technologies, family farming, food security, climate change, logistics, and more.

A highlight in our area of interest was the lecture on "Biofuels and Decarbonization," moderated by Mario Campos Filho from SIAMIG, featuring Dr. Laiz Forti Thomaz, a member of the Advanced Biofuel USA Board of Directors, representing the Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Thomaz emphasized Brazil's potential for biofuels and its importance in mitigating climate change, focusing on government policies, especially the Future Fuel Project, which, among various actions, aims to regulate the energy transition of civil aviation in the country.

Alongside Thomaz, other notable participants included Gláucia Mendes de Souza from the University of São Paulo and José Medeiros from Stellantis, who also highlighted Brazil's significance.

In another section, in a reserved area within the stadium offering a beautiful view of the field, the closed GAF Forum took place, which had a different entry fee and access.

The opening featured several national and international authorities, including the mayor of São Paulo, Ricardo Nunes, DATAGRO president Plínio Nastari, Roberto Perosa from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, and ambassadors from the European Union, Uruguay, Angola, South Africa, and others.

Similar to the Arena, the themes and speakers at the GAF Forum were diverse, concentrated in a large presentation room. The central theme across various talks was the strength and prominence of Brazilian agribusiness, its relevance in food production, with Brazil being one of the world's leading exporters, and its contribution to mitigating climate change, whether through biofuel production, primarily ethanol, or forest protection.

In other words, for many presenters, Brazil is essential for the planet's future. However, as also highlighted, this future cannot wait too long; the country needs to advance and seize the economic opportunities in the agribusiness sector.

Highlights of the GAF Forum included a notable speech by Graça Machel, a political activist from Mozambique, who in an excellent talk, emphasized the importance of women in society, the contribution of developing countries to the global economy and environmental preservation, the challenges of global hunger and poverty, among other topics, always highlighting women and their importance.

Another standout, attracting a large audience, was Parag Khanna, former advisor to Barack Obama and currently an advisor at the New America Foundation.

His talk focused on the shift in global power, with the rise of Asian countries, especially India and China, leading to a more multipolar world, also emphasizing Brazil's importance in agribusiness, food production, and climate change.

In summary, GAFFF, organized in one of the largest stadiums in the country, highlights the relevance of Brazilian agribusiness and its global value.

In Brazil, within national politics, this sector has significant representation, with one of the most active caucuses in Congress fighting for its diverse interests.

he variety of topics made the event a bit confusing, lacking more in-depth discussion on specific subjects. However, it seems that the idea was to showcase the strength of agribusiness in the country and the world, along with the organizing companies, XP and DATAGRO.

Indeed, Brazilian agribusiness is very important, including in the area of biofuels, a topic that, in my perception, did not receive enough attention.

Across all the events, the only panel dedicated exclusively to the topic was the one featuring Thomaz. Although other panels addressed energy and agriculture, the issue of biofuels, which is highly pertinent to Brazilian politics and economy, did not receive the necessary attention it warrants.

The GAFFF paid significant attention to climate change, a topic of paramount notability to agribusiness. The future of the climate in Brazil, which already impacts production and will become even more challenging, requires actions, particularly nowadays, not only for mitigation but also for climate adaptation. The sector will need responses, which were extensively discussed at the event.

*Post-doctoral researcher in Political Science at the Federal University of Goiás, Brazil. Fellow of CNPQ and FAPEG jeffersonestevo@ufg.br