Sustainability in focus: experts discuss challenges and solutions at the III Sustainable Soy Dialogues in the Itaqui Corridor
Event brings together public authorities, representatives from the agricultural and infrastructure sectors to discuss sustainable solutions for the Itaqui port complex in Maranhão, Brazil.
The third edition of the event Sustainable Soy Dialogues for the Itaqui Corridor brought together, between the 3rd and 4th of this month, more than 100 people, including specialists, producers, and representatives of the soy chain, to debate the challenges and best practices in sustainability in the Matopiba region, which encompasses the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia, as well as the next steps of the Sustainable Soy Alliance.
The program included thematic panels and debates with environmental specialists, offering a platform for producers and companies in the region to delve into innovative and eco-friendly agricultural practices, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable development in agribusiness.
Held in São Luís (MA), the meeting highlighted topics such as decarbonisation, financial incentives, and certification of agricultural products, focusing on reducing the environmental impacts caused by soy cultivation, one of the main economic activities in the region.
The event was organised by the German technical cooperation agency GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH), RTRS (Round Table on Responsible Soy Association), CLI (Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura), and IDH, which joined especially for this edition.
Special advisor to the Maranhão government, Leilivania Lima, highlighted that this edition brought several proposals for updating actions on transparency and decarbonisation, exposing the vision of those working in productive practices. “The Government has been designing new proposals to work in cooperation with the actors, fostering the development of the State. We are learning and wanting to understand how to improve partnerships,” she said.
According to Petra Ascher, director of GIZ Brazil, the objective was to promote the exchange of experiences with the aim of finding solutions for socio-environmental sustainability. “We brought together specialists and links in the soy production chain, including family farming, to discuss strategies to reduce deforestation rates, respecting legislation and bringing benefits to the environment and the local economy,” she said.
Another highlight was certification, a tool that guarantees the quality and sustainability of the product. “Today, more than one million tons of soy are already RTRS-certified in the region, which facilitates the connection between producers and companies that demand sustainable products. This process strengthens farmers and the productive chain as a whole,” explained Cid Sanches, external consultant for RTRS. “Given the current challenges, various tools and professionals are engaged in the search for solutions. As a round table, RTRS is proud to facilitate this discussion, presenting certification as a sustainable solution,” he added.
The CEO of CLI, Helcio Tokeshi, reaffirmed the importance of bringing together actors to debate and materialise solutions to common challenges, exploring opportunities to produce more efficiently and sustainably.
IDH, which participated for the first time, contributes to the transformation of markets through collaborative innovation, articulation, and investment in inclusive and sustainable solutions. Acting in global value chains, it brings together stakeholders to develop programs focused on sustainable trade.
Now, participants will hold frequent meetings to advance discussions and actions that benefit the entire soy production chain, generating positive impacts on the social, environmental, and economic spheres, strengthening the Sustainable Soy Alliance.
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About the event
The initiative “Sustainable Soy Dialogues for the Itaqui Corridor” is part of a joint action between the project Sustainability and Value Creation in Productive Chains of GIZ Brazil, the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association (RTRS), and the company Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI).
The project is a cooperation between the global AgriChains program of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Government of Maranhão, with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
The Alliance is a collaborative platform that brings together multiple stakeholders with the aim of strengthening and expanding the actions of its members. Through dialogues, technical training, and joint actions, the Alliance promotes a space for engagement focused on the production and exportation of soy in the Matopiba region.
About CLI
Corredor Logística e Infraestrutura (CLI) is a company specialised in infrastructure and port logistics for agribusiness. With expertise, innovation, and operational excellence, CLI offers flexible, high-quality services, helping trading companies to be more competitive. Currently, it is one of the four operators of the Maranhão Grain Terminal (Tegram) located in the Port of Itaqui and operates Elevations Portuárias S/A, in the Port of Santos. Belonging to the managers Macquarie Asset Management Real Assets (MAM) and IG4 Capital, CLI also has an ESG agenda, contributing to the development of responsible agribusiness in Brazil.
About GIZ
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a federal public utility company that supports the Federal Government of Germany in its objectives in the area of international cooperation. GIZ operates within the Brazil-Germany Cooperation for Sustainable Development, which combines the strengths of both countries to tackle global challenges such as biodiversity preservation and combating climate change. In Brazil, GIZ mainly works in two thematic areas: protection and sustainable use of tropical forests, as well as renewable energy and energy efficiency.
About IDH
IDH seeks to transform markets through collaborative innovation, convening, and investing in inclusive and sustainable solutions that enable companies to create value for people and the planet. To achieve this goal, IDH brings together committed stakeholders from all global value chains in pursuit of shared visions and programs with agendas focused on sustainable trade.
IDH’s international presence spans several regions, facilitated by a network of approximately 400 employees, including experts embedded in key agricultural, manufacturing, apparel, and commodity value chains. In 15 years of operation, IDH has mobilised investments and private sector support to test and innovate business models designed to improve jobs, income, and the environment with gender equality for all.
