One in four opinion leaders and decision-makers in the agricultural sector cannot define the concept of Tropical Agriculture, a model that enables large-scale production in the country given the climatic, soil and phytosanitary challenges of the tropics. This data was presented this Wednesday (27), in Brasília, at the launch of the campaign "What is it that only Brazil has?", by CropLife Brasil, and is part of unprecedented research carried out by Nexus with parliamentarians from the National Congress, public servants of the federal Executive Branch, journalists specializing in politics and agribusiness entrepreneurs. While a portion of those interviewed recognize the Brazilian agricultural power, the concept presents diffuse answers, some myths persist and the debate reproduces outdated perceptions. The contrast is significant: while 85% recognize Brazil as a world agricultural power and 95% as a reference in innovation and technology for agriculture, 24% cannot spontaneously associate the term. Among the most frequent responses were Brazilian climate (7%), fruits (7%), and sustainability (5%), while technology and food security were cited by only 1% of respondents each. The country's leading role is not connected to the tropical model that sustains it, highlighting the mismatch between the relevance of the production system and the level of understanding about the topic. “The concept of Tropical Agriculture is not yet crystallized among the Brazilian population, especially among decision-makers, and this directly impacts how the sector is viewed and, above all, regulated,” says Ana Repezza, president of CropLife Brasil. “Over the last few decades, we have developed technologies adapted to our own needs and pioneering production solutions, showing that the model is not just a result of the country's natural conditions. When we better understand what makes us unique, we can also value this production model and take a leading role in the issue,” adds the executive. The research also revealed that myths persist: 32% believe that Brazil is the country that uses the most pesticides in the world, even though 86% trust that their use is rigorously regulated by the competent bodies. For Pedro Lupion, from the Parliamentary Agricultural Front, producing in a tropical climate requires constant innovation. The congressman emphasizes that to make the three annual harvests viable, Brazil depends on technology and efficient molecules, an essential partnership with agribusiness industries. "Modernizing legislation is vital to guarantee increased productivity and reduced costs in the field," the parliamentarian added during his participation in the event. The opinion poll conducted 230 interviews with six audience profiles: Federal Deputies (85), Executive Branch (MAPA, ANVISA, MMA, MDIC, INPI and Embrapa) (40), journalists (30), legislative advisors (30), agribusiness companies (30) and Senators (15).
Campaign
To help understand the sector's relevance and provide information on the specificities of tropical agriculture, CropLife Brasil is launching the sector-specific campaign "What is it that only Brazil has?". The initiative will feature digital communication and a content hub that brings together data, studies, and research on the sector, as well as analyses and explanatory content to help society and policymakers understand how the country has developed its own productive solutions for the tropical climate. The goal is to enhance the public debate with information and evidence that contribute to demystifying misconceptions and reinforcing the relevance, innovation, and competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness. The transformation of Brazilian agriculture in recent decades has been driven by advances in science, research, and the development of technologies and the scale attributed to them, in order to produce within the country's specific conditions and in abundance. Among the technologies adopted are genetic improvement, biotechnology, and different forms of crop protection, both chemical and biological, which complement each other in the field. This combination of solutions, integrated with the regulatory framework, has allowed for the adaptation of cultivars to the soil conditions present in the national territory, promoting climate resilience and boosting productivity gains. This vision is endorsed by André Savino, president of Syngenta Crop Protection in Brazil and chairman of the board of directors of CLB. He emphasizes that daily climatic and biological challenges require that problems not be avoided, but rather that they be faced with good agricultural practices supported by science and technology. “For agriculture to prosper sustainably, economically and environmentally, and to meet the growing population demand, it is imperative to have legal certainty and modern regulations,” says the executive, who is also a farmer. He cites data showing that the development of a new technology takes an average of 11 years and costs 307 million dollars, reinforcing the need to respect intellectual property to guarantee continuous investments in cleaner and safer products.
Brazilian Agribusiness
The results help explain Brazil's position as one of the main global players in agribusiness. Over the last three decades (1990 to 2024), Brazilian grain production grew by almost 500% (494.8%), while the cultivated area increased by only 115.8%, a direct result of investment in science, innovation, and adaptation to the tropical climate. According to Conab and FGV Agro, this technological leap allowed for saving 144 million hectares to achieve the same production, and highlights how productive performance is directly linked to the development and adoption of technologies adapted to the tropics, the adoption of good practices, and field management. "Brazilian tropical agriculture is not just a product of the country's natural conditions. It is the result of science, technology, and innovation developed over decades," added Ana Repezza. From sectoral advancement to national economic representation. In 2025, agribusiness expanded its share of the Brazilian economy, accounting for 25.13% of the national GDP, compared to 22.9% in 2024. According to data from the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics (Cepea) at Esalq/USP, in partnership with the Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil (CNA), the sector's GDP reached R$ 3.20 trillion, with approximately R$ 2.06 trillion concentrated in the agricultural sector. This result represents a growth of 12.20% compared to the previous year.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.