Brazil in
transition
How sustainable fertilizer is revolutionizing agriculture
Brazil is one of the giants of world agriculture. Soy, sugar, coffee and meat from the largest country in South America feed millions of people around the world. But to maintain its position Brazil needs to reorient its agriculture, especially when it comes to fertilizer.
Image credit: Rafael Henrique – stock.adobe.com
Brazil’s soils are nutrient-poor, especially in the Cerrado, so to get good harvests farmers use great quantities of fertilizer. That has consequences. Overfertilization stresses soils, degrades their structure and results in nutrients leaching into the groundwater. Nitrogen fertilizers also increase emissions of nitrous oxide, which is bad for the climate. And there is another problem – Brazil is extremely dependent on fertilizer imports, primarily from Russia and Belarus. The 2022 invasion of Ukraine disrupted the supply chain, causing prices to explode and forcing many farmers to rethink their harvests. Things have calmed down since then but dependence remains a risk factor.
BRAZIL’S GLOBAL AGRARIAN MUSCLE
Image credit / Globe: Julia – stock.adobe.com (modified)
NEW TECHNOLOGIES NEEDED
Brazil needs to catch up technologically as well. Modern precision technologies, that could help growers use fertilizers more accurately and sparingly, are typically found only in large corporations. Small to medium-sized farmers mostly use traditional methods. Education and knowledge transfer are urgently needed in order to tap into the full potential of agriculture. Climate change is further exacerbating the situation. Droughts, floods and other extreme weather events influence fertilizing effectiveness and demand flexible strategies.
RECYCLING RAMPING UP
Despite all the hurdles, change is in the air. Organic fertilizers like compost are gaining ground, especially in organic agriculture and pilot projects. They improve soil fertility, promote biodiversity and help reduce the use of pesticides. Sustainably produced foods are in demand, and more and more farms are recognizing the image boost that environment-friendly production offers.
But the challenges should not be underestimated. The compost market suffers from a lack of quality standards, poor infrastructure and widespread lack of knowledge. Different raw materials and production techniques lead to varying nutrient contents, making consistent quality hard to achieve. At the same time there is often a lack of the machines, storage capacity and know-how to produce and apply compost at scale.
STRONG DRIVERS FOR CHANGE
Nevertheless there are strong drivers impelling change. The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture supports sustainable projects with targeted programmes. Research institutes like EMBRAPA develop practical solutions, and regional projects support knowledge exchange and create networks that boost the acceptance and use of organic fertilizers. A great example of this is our sales partner Envimat, which regularly supports knowledge exchange around sustainable composting and reclamation processes with its “Compost Days” industry event.
COMPOST DAYS
Compost Days in São Carlos is one of Brazil’s leading industry events around composting and the circular economy. This three-day gathering is organized by Envimat Environment & Material Handling in cooperation with international partners like Komptech. The most recent Compost Days last August welcomed over 300 attendees from science and industry, as well as numerous representatives of government agencies, plant operators and growers. In presentations and round table discussions the latest research findings were presented, best-practice experience exchanged, and strategies for efficient, sustainable compost production discussed. Envimat carries the entire portfolio of green machines for composting, so naturally practical demonstrations are a regular feature of the event. Komptech shredders, windrow turners and screeners were put through their paces. Attendees were invited to “challenge” them with questions, and many did so. Envimat CEO Vinícius Casselli is confident:
“With the Compost Days we not only offer a platform for knowledge exchange, but also actively encourage the expansion of compost capacity and direct dialogue between industry, research and the public sector.”
Vinícius Casselli
CEO of Envimat
The Compost Days event brings together the “Who’s Who” of Brazilian waste management.
Great interest in the machine demos, despite it being 30° in the shade.
A photo with the Topturn was a top draw.
A COUNTRY WITH LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL
Today Brazil faces the dual task of maintaining its position as an agricultural power and simultaneously protecting the environment. Organic fertilizers like compost are not a cure-all, but they are a valuable way to protect the soil, mitigate environmental stresses and reduce dependence on imports. With political support, research and practical implementation, Brazil could take on a worldwide leadership role in this area.
Envimat & Komptech: Partnership for a sustainable future in Brazil
Our collaboration with Envimat started in 2020 and marked a milestone in our dedication to sustainable waste management solutions in Brazil. What we appreciated from the start was their uncompromising focus on customer service and after sales support – in these areas Envimat speaks the same language as Komptech.
Since its founding in 2018, Envimat, located in São Carlos in the state of São Paulo, has been a specialist for complete solutions in waste treatment, recycling and materials handling. With its committed and experienced team the company works closely with customers to develop bespoke solutions that are the perfect combination of efficiency, sustainability and economy.
In doing so, Envimat draws on a strong network of leading international manufacturers for which it is the official Brazilian sales partner. In addition to Komptech this includes the respected crane manufacturer Sennebogen, for which Envimat is the general importer. What distinguishes Envimat: In the event of a machine stoppage a trained service team is available immediately, supported by an excellently stocked spare parts warehouse, ensuring fast help. This minimizes downtime and assures customer productivity and performance.
Today, Envimat with its dynamic team is on a clear growth course and has established itself as an important player in the Brazilian environment and infrastructure sector. Together with partners like Komptech the company is driving the shift to a more sustainable and resourcesaving future.
In sum, it’s a partnership that works, and works for a better future.
This is the online version of the article “Brazil in transition: How sustainable fertilizer is revolutionizing agriculture” from the Komptech magazine Opportunity / Issue No. 4 (2025) ↗
Image rights: All images © Komptech GmbH where not otherwise indicated.
No liability accepted for changes or errors.
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