São Paulo to Sell Agricultural Research Farms, Including World’s Largest Coffee genetic Bank
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The São Paulo state government’s plan to sell 25 agricultural and environmental research properties has ignited a firestorm of controversy. the sale includes the Santa Elisa farm in Campinas, home to the world’s largest coffee genetic bank—a crucial resource for coffee production and research globally. This decision raises serious questions about the future of agricultural research and the preservation of vital genetic resources in Brazil.
The initiative, led by Secretary of Agriculture and Supply Guilherme Piai, aims to divest from what he calls “idle assets.” On february 20, during the launch of the “Nosso Agro Tem Força” program, Piai stated, “we cannot stay attached to idle assets.”
However, the plan has faced notable opposition, notably concerning the sale of research facilities.
Piai clarified that only farms without ongoing research will be sold, asserting, “Where there is research, we will not sell an inch of land,”
The government plans to sell three properties by year’s end, wiht ten more slated for sale in the second half of the year. These sales will follow a thorough assessment of properties deemed idle, with the land already divided for sale.
The government’s request for assessment was revealed in a letter from Itesp, the agency evaluating the properties, in response to a memorandum from State Representative Beth Sahão (Workers’ Party, PT). Itesp has already valued the São Roque Ecological Agriculture Research and Development Unit, a 436,400-square-meter property founded in 1928, at R$107.4 million. This facility, dedicated to organic agriculture, cultivar betterment, and plant nutrition, is a significant loss if sold.
The assessment of the Santa Elisa Research Center, established in 1924, is also underway. This center, besides its renowned coffee genetic bank, houses a bamboo collection and conducts research on the macaúba palm tree. Further assessments are planned for the Ribeirão Preto Regional research center, focused on animal husbandry studies.
Assessments are yet to begin on farms in Campinas, São Roque, Piracicaba, Jundiaí, São José do Rio preto, Cananeia, Cornélio Pires, Brotas, Jaú, Votuporanga, Limeira, Capão Bonito, Mirassol, and Ubatuba. thiago Francisco Neves Gobbo, deputy director of land resources at Itesp, detailed the process for Santa Elisa, stating that the agency conducted “technical work on a georeferenced topographic survey of the Santa Elisa Farm and research at the regional Attorney’s Office, the city hall of Campinas and at real estate registry offices.”
He added that “regarding the area to be split, it is important to emphasize that there is still no definition due to internal technical negotiations at the department itself and the agencies in charge.”
Itesp is also conducting studies “to promote land regularization and the evaluation of a series of properties administered by the Department and its agencies,”
per an agreement with the Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply.This details was confirmed in a document approved by secretary piai and sent to Representative Sahão.
Helena Dutra Lutgens, president of the Association of Scientific Researchers of the State of São Paulo (APqC), expressed deep concern.She stated, “this response from the state validates what APqC has been saying, that the heritage of research and knowledge creation is at risk. At a time of climate change, we should be investing in expanding scientific research, and not going against the grain, reducing this heritage.”
Researchers also highlighted the deterioration of some experimental farms due to underinvestment and staff shortages,hindering their research potential.
The sale of these research farms remains a highly contentious issue, raising significant questions about the long-term impact on agricultural research and the preservation of invaluable genetic resources in São Paulo and beyond.
“this response from the state validates what APqC has been saying, that the heritage of research and knowledge creation is at risk. At a time of climate change, we should be investing in expanding scientific research, and not going against the grain, reducing this heritage.”
Helena Dutra Lutgens, president of the Association of Scientific Researchers of the State of São Paulo (APqC)
São Paulo’s Controversial Sale of Agricultural Research Farms: A Deep Dive into the implications for Global Genetic Resources
Startling Move by São Paulo State stirs global Concern About the Future of Agricultural Research and Genetic Preservation
What will the sale of São Paulo’s crucial agricultural research farms mean for the future of global food security? This is a crucial conversation echoing with the potential loss of genetic diversity that could define the next era of agriculture. We sit down with Dr. Rafael Alves, an expert in agricultural research and conservation, to unravel the layers of this complex decision.
the Impacts of selling Brazil’s Largest Coffee Genetic Bank
World Today News: The São Paulo state government’s decision to sell 25 agricultural research properties, including the Santa Elisa farm—with the world’s largest coffee genetic bank—has sparked widespread uproar. Why is this sale possibly so damaging, and what can we learn from past instances where similar decisions where made?
Dr. Rafael Alves: The move by São Paulo to divest these lands is deeply worrisome, particularly given the Santa Elisa Research Center’s status as a treasure trove of coffee genetic resources.These collections are not merely assortments of plants; they hold the genetic keys to disease resistance, pest resilience, and adaptability to climate changes that coffee producers globally face. Historically,similar decisions,like the under-funding and eventual closure of key agricultural research facilities in the United States and Australia,have led to a important delay in scientific breakthroughs,pushing local agriculture to its knees under the pressures of changing environmental conditions.
Balancing Economic Gains and Scientific Progress
World Today News: The state government led by Secretary of Agriculture and Supply Guilherme Piai claims these are “idle assets” and argues for an economic boost through their sale. How should governments balance immediate fiscal benefits with long-term scientific progress and ecological sustainability?
Dr. Rafael Alves: “Idle assets” is a subjective term.What seems under-utilized now might potentially be a critical resource in the near future, especially with climate change bringing unprecedented agricultural challenges. Balancing fiscal health with sustainability requires foresight. The Dutch approach, for instance, continually invests in agricultural research despite short-term financial strains because they see the value in long-term gains. Effective policies typically integrate science with strategic economic planning, ensuring that short-term financial decisions do not undermine long-term agricultural and ecological stability.
The Role of Assessments and oversight
World Today News: The São Paulo government’s initiative involves a thorough assessment of the properties in question,purportedly to ensure only truly unused lands are sold. How effective are these assessments in safeguarding essential research capabilities?
Dr. Rafael Alves: Assessments are undoubtedly crucial—but their effectiveness hinges on transparency, expertise, and stakeholder involvement. The assessments must not be superficial checks; they should be conducted with input from agricultural scientists, environmentalists, and economic advisors. For example, in the United Kingdom, similar assessments have involved multi-disciplinary panels working to ensure that any decision to divest land accounts for broader scientific and environmental impacts.São Paulo’s approach should ideally mirror this methodology to genuinely safeguard critical research infrastructure.
Preserving Scientific Heritage Amidst Investment Cuts
World today News: Helena Dutra Lutgens of the APqC has expressed concerns about the inheritance of scientific research being at risk. How can stakeholders advocate for the preservation of research farms under financial constraints?
Dr. Rafael Alves: Preservation demands a concerted effort from multiple sectors. Advocating for transparency in government decision-making processes is a start.Public engagement and awareness campaigns, such as those coordinated by the Public voice for Science in the US, have proven effective in garnering public and cross-sector support. Additionally, partnerships with international research bodies can offer a buffer against underinvestment, providing access to shared resources and ensuring that critical research areas are not neglected. Governments can also explore innovative funding solutions, such as public-private partnerships, to secure necessary investments.
World Today News: With the stakes so high, what steps can the global community take to ensure these vital resources are protected while balancing economic and scientific needs?
Dr. Rafael Alves: The global community must prioritize and invest in agricultural research as a non-negotiable pillar of food security and environmental sustainability. Initiatives such as the global Crop Diversity Trust have set benchmarks by securing funding for the conservation of crop genetic resources worldwide. National governments should look to these models, embrace international cooperation, and commit to long-term investments, understanding that the true cost of losing invaluable genetic resources far exceeds any short-term financial gain. Protecting these genetic treasures today is a critical investment in the world’s agricultural resilience and prosperity tomorrow.
Reader Engagement: Share your thoughts on the future of agricultural research and genetic resources. Do you think there are better ways to balance economic needs with scientific progress? Leave your comments below or join the conversation on Twitter using #PreserveOurGenetics. Your insights can help shape the future of global agriculture!