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The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Tereza Cristina, said that Brazil and China share, in addition to a long partnership in agribusiness, the challenge of providing quality of life for those who live in the countryside, supporting the pillars of sustainable agriculture. The statement was made today (20) via video conference, during the Brazil-China Seminar.
Tereza Cristina recalled that Brazil is responsible for feeding more than 1 billion people in 180 markets, which, according to her, means that “for every four dishes of food served in the world, one has ingredients originating in Brazil”, and that China is a protagonist in this Brazilian insertion in global agri-food chains.
The minister added that the two countries have built “a relationship of trust in ongoing delivery, with quality, safety and sustainability”, and that there are conditions to expand and diversify the offer of Brazilian products for consumption by the Chinese population.
“In this context, we are fully aware that consumers in China, as well as in Brazil, are increasingly concerned about sustainability issues”, added the minister, recalling that since the 1970s Brazilian grain production has increased by around 400% while the cultivated area grew by only 40%.
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She added that climate change directly affects farmers, with “harmful impacts on food security and the preservation of biodiversity”, and that, in this context, it is essential to prioritize the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions, especially from fossil fuels.
“Sustainability has three inseparable pillars: environmental, economic and social. With our productivity gains we were able to bring cheap food to the world”, said Tereza Cristina, highlighting that the average cost of Brazilian production “dropped by half compared to the 1970s”.
“Brazil, like China, has the challenge of improving the lives of those who live in the countryside, providing them with conditions similar to those of the urban population. China has worked hard to combat extreme poverty in the countryside over the past few years, achieving great success,” added the minister.
By: Gabriel Nascimento | Crops & Market
