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| Far far away land |
So the GFP begins. After so much preparation and days wondering about this world tour, it finally begins to outline before us. First stop: Australia, a country more than 15 million km away from Brazil, but which speaks the same language of passion for agriculture and commitment of people to the development of the sector.
Of territorial extension of 7.7 million km², and an estimated population of 23.8 million people (roughly the population of Minas Gerais, "only" 586.5 thousand km²), Australia makes magic with less than 5% its territory suitable for cultivation and significant climatic changes in recent years. It is a major producer and exporter of wheat, oats, barley, cotton, and figures among global leaders in beef market, technically tied with Brazil in third place for meat exports (estimate 1.5 million tons in 2015).
Besides the relevance to world agriculture, the country represents the epicenter of Nuffield activities. It is a privilege to be in the land where it all began, and observe the construction and power range of the institution in the world, even more than 15 million km away, there reverberating in Brazil.
Upon arrival, I met the scholar Holly Beckett, and we both were greeted by the incredible Wade Mann and Nicola Anne Mann. Nicky participated in the 2014 program with the topic "Intensifying Production and Output Through Protected Cropping Systems", and gave us several directions relative to GFP and preparation of our reports.
She and Wade are owners of Roses 2 Go, growing and distribution business of flowers, in early stage of diversification. The Mann family has two 3.0 thousand m² greenhouses with roses and blueberries. Roses production corresponds to 24.0 thousand plants, or 60.0 thousand bouquets a year, 25% of the total red roses and 75% distributed in variations of yellow roses, oranges, roses, white and others.
With the production of blueberries, the family expects to reach 0.5 kg per plant in the first year of sales, 2 kg per plant in the second year, third year 5 kg/plant, and 10 kg per plant in four years (and five following this), performance only achieved thanks to the greenhouses structure.
According to Wade, the biggest business challenge is in underprivileged option of roses. They represent luxury items, or are not prioritized in the consumption basket. This demands Roses 2 Go to diversify to attend market forces.
I am grateful to Wade, Nicky and her lovely children for the warm reception, for giving me shelter and for showing me some of their routine. It's great to feel so welcomed across the world.
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| Dear Nicky at Roses 2 Go |
On the first day of June we were greeted with a wonderful lunch by the other scholar James Mifsud, his wife Frances and their children. James and Frances own a turkey and cattle farm, as poultry as the main business, approximately 16.0 thousand birds per cycle (22 weeks), allocated in six sheds.
The production is extremely efficient, with linear productivity. In search of performance improvement, the family now focuses on pasture. James goal is to reform the soil profile in their 400 hectares with 140 cows. Quality grass means cattle well fed.
For some years, their biggest challenge has been dealing with the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which promotes animal welfare and, here specifically, regulates the quality of marketed beef, and prints the label that goes on the product packed to the shelves.
James claims that there is a gap between control requirements by the agency and the criteria that really determine the production control. Producers reported a sense of limitation or loss of empowering their own business. The basis for the production reduces the viability of the producer to market and diversify his own product. The worst, however, is that this seal prints an extra effort to rectify the beef sold, and extra expenses imply price increase of the same, from which difference is not passed on to producers.
This is a delicate discussion, since both parties have strong visions and defense arguments, and James works hard for the reconciliation of interests. I think the agency should spare no effort in the sector's regulation, but has an obligation to be close to it, and have chain domain knowledge to then take decisions and print laws that legitimize it. It is a great responsibility to determine the future of an entire industry.
James, Frances and her family also welcomed me with great affection, and I am grateful for their kindness and attention. I hope to host them this well when they come and visit me in Brazil (please do that!).
The group stayed in Australian for three days, on which I'll discuss in detail the most striking presentations and visits.
Day 1: discussion with Hugh Maginnis, counselor for agricultural affairs Australia and New Zealand, Ben Slatter, Delegation of EU to Australia Senior Adviser, Trade, Economic & Agriculture, Amy Tisdall, First Secretary of New Zealand High Commission Canberra and Tony Maher, Genreral Manager Policy, Trade and Economics for National Farmers Federation. All discussed the relationship between Australia, their home countries and others on agricultural potential of their economies and the future of global market relations.
The highlight, in my view, was the presentation of Hugh Maginnis. The counselor spoke about the viability of the Australian access in the US economy and vice versa, and the current US agricultural situation.
In recent years, wheat and cotton area were nationally reduced, while soybean and corn expanded, taking as its premise the ethanol and animal feed production growth. The USDA claims that much of the demand potential for these grains in the next decade will be supplied by the United States. Considering that the countries’ agricultural sector has already reached optimum levels (and therefore stable) of yield, and that the availability of area is limiting, I question Hugh’s statement. Brazil, despite the major logistical bottleneck, has current capacity to export twice the amount of corn sent to ports (about 20 million tons). Adding Brazilian competitiveness on this sub-sector to the entire growing expectation on possible Russian area of conversion, I think that perhaps the US agency might be overestimating the US market share gain forecasted.
During the afternoon and evening we visited the Australian Parliament, on Ross Gough guide. We participated in the question time and watched the Liberal and prime minister of Australia Tony Abbott and other ministers to be asked about their mandate by members of parliament. The elusive to the most delicate questions (about assistance programs, for example) made me reflect on this such thing that is democracy. Giving people the democratic right to question their government can be called democracy, or, in fact, the right of people to have their questions answered clearly, with proposals for action is really what democracy means?
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| Our first meeting in Canberra |
Day 2: on a morning spared just for the India group, the expert Rob Patrick conducted a personality test. The goal was to identify the main features of each member of the group and explore and develop their triggers and qualities. We'll be together for six weeks, almost 24 hours a day, coming from different countries, different cultures, different languages and with different heads. It is extremely important that we learn to identify turning points in the daily deal, and work so that the learning is maximized. In the same proportion, the personal qualities should be exploited for the benefit of the group.
I am sure we can count on each other, and I could not be more pleased with the people I’m doing this journey with.
In the afternoon we talked with Andrew Johnson on responsibilities and what it means to be a nuffielder traveler. It was great to hear the voice of experience (Andrew was in the same program at about ten years ago) of someone that now ranks as the Chairman of Nuffield Australia.
Then we devoted a few hours to learn a little more about Canberra, with a special visit to the National Gallery of Australia.
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| Meeting Bronwyn Bishop and Bruce Scott |
Day 3: back to Sydney, it's time to say goodbye to this incredible country and get ready for an Asia immersion in the following weeks. So many events happened and we are just beginning.
Towards Singapore!
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