This year's Theme Recanto presents soy as the protagonist and brings a historical review of this crop that is so important for the agricultural sector of RS and the country. During the five days of Expodireto 2017, from March 6th to 10th, Emater/RS-Ascar and Cotrijal present the Soy Paths in Rio Grande do Sul, tracing a timeline, since the arrival of the State's grain, showing its skills , uses and expansion, until today.
The governor, José Ivo Sartori, visited the space and walked along the Caminhos da Soja this Monday afternoon (06/03), accompanied by leaders and representatives of entities from across the State, such as the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation ( Seapi), Ernani Polo, the Secretary of Rural Development, Fisheries and Cooperatives (SDR), Tarcísio Minetto, the president of Emater/RS, Clair Tomé Kuhn, the president of Cotrijal, Nei Mânica, and other authorities. “This is an important historical evolution that must be preserved. We are responsible for creating new paths and we need to rely on technology to do so”, highlighted the governor.
The Thematic Corner, located in the Emater/RS-Ascar space at the fair, presents 28 scenarios, divided by decades and important moments in the history of RS involving culture. “Our work was to seek information, create a historical series on soybean cultivation, to find out since when it started to be recommended and used in RS. Here, in this space, we point out some facts that marked the opening of the fields in the State with the implementation of soy and, from that, the industry, commercialization, consumption and development of the crop, up to export”, commented the coordinator of Emater/RS- Oscar at the fair, Celso Siebert.
At the site, visitors will find photos, figures, illustrations and period objects that will serve to highlight the history of soy in RS. “We highlighted some important facts of this journey, but our goal is for each visitor to read the Path in their own way,” added Siebert.
The Soy Paths in RS
The first event that marked the presence of soybeans in RS occurred in 1923, with the arrival of Pastor Albert Lehenbauer, who upon arriving in Santa Rosa, brought soybean seeds and advised some farmers on the food value of the grain for fattening animals. A short time later, in 1926, technicians already recommended soy as a green fertilizer.
In the 1940s, the cultivation of the crop gained greater prominence and became a sure bet for producers in Rio Grande do Sul. The added value to the industry, the possibility of using it as fodder, as well as in human food, in the form of grains and flour, being the richest source of protein found in nature, were some of the reasons that led producers to invest in the crop.
From 1960 onwards, the transport revolution and the participation of cooperatives intensified production. In the 1970s, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension strengthened its work with producers, through actions such as “Operation Armadillo”, which collected soil samples for analysis, as well as the use of limestone to correct soil acidity, use of chemical fertilizers to nourish the plants, among other management necessary to develop soybeans.
In the Thematic Corner, visitors, in addition to following the paths followed by soybeans, also get a glimpse of the different products made from this raw material, such as oil, biofuel, animal feed and those processed for human consumption. Soy boosted mechanization and professionalism in the field, brought financial profitability to crops, opened internal and external markets, developed infrastructure, transportation, drying and storage and brought knowledge.
For visitors who were able to follow this experience, Caminhos da Soja is a return to the past. The farmer, Marli Hendges, is a soybean producer in the municipality of Chapada, and told how exciting it was to relive some childhood memories. “Going through this path I was able to remember my story, moments from my childhood. Being able to relive these memories, even today, was very interesting”, he exclaimed. The farmer brought her grandson to visit Recanto Temático and learn a little more about the history. “It was great to see that he got to know part of our history. He will grow up and remember that he knew the time in which my grandfather lived”, added Ms. Marli.
The Theme Corner is open to visitors from Monday to Friday (06 to 10/03), from 8am to 6pm. The Emater/RS-Ascar team responsible for organizing the Thematic Recanto is made up of extensionists, Celso Siebert, Alessandro Davesac, Dalvo Arcari, Fabiano Gregorio, Francieli Nava, Sonia Oliveira, Sandra Gayger, Rosmari Muneroli, Cleuza Brutti, Vanessa Almeida de Moraes and Vinícius Toso.
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