AgroPonte: with decades of work, women join forces and act at the forefront of agribusiness

Fair reaches its 12th edition and takes place from 16 a 20 of August

It's decades of work, commitment, dedication and leadership of women in the agribusiness sectors, family agriculture, industries and technology. These women and entrepreneurs are involved in AgroPonte, event that happens from 16 a 20 of August, at the José Ijair Conti Exhibition Pavilion, in Criciúma.

Maria Regina Romagna Pasetto is president of the Agroindustrial Production Cooperative of Nova Veneza (Coofanove) and there is 30 years makes cookies, pasta and baked goods. “When I cased, I started to live in the interior of Nova Veneza. I found it difficult to go to the city where I worked, so we opted for something that could bring an extra income, beyond agriculture, without leaving home and still reconciling work with childcare. That's when we started making Pasetto cookies and artisanal baking to sell at the fair.”, remember.

The entrepreneur highlights the challenges faced by her work. “I find it rewarding and, at the same time, challenger, but the woman manages to overcome challenges. Today we are already part of the membership of Coofanove, where you can find a very large diversity of products from family farming”, comment.

Coofanove participates in AgroPonte since its first edition. “We are present from the beginning, but in an individualistic way. This is the second year that we are participating in the fair in a cooperative way., where all partners participate in the same stand. Our cooperative serves the entire south of Santa Catarina”, highlights.

The president of the cooperative also emphasizes the importance of AgroPonte. “The expectation is the best possible, we are preparing to represent New Venice very well”, affirms.

Behind big machines, A big woman

Cristiani Rodrigues Werner is the communication and marketing manager at Grupo Tratowel, which has headquarters in Araranguá and a branch in Caxias do Sul (RS). She has been working at the company for 19 years. “We are dealership of the New Holland brand. We offer rural producers New Holland brand tractors and harvesters and implements of all brands and models. We also have a complete after-sales service with parts and a specialized workshop.”, details.

Cristiani's company participates in AgroPonte since the first edition. “My start at Tratowel was through my technical course in agriculture. We consider AgroPonte to be our showcase fair in Southern Brazil. All this for its size, organization, structure, number of visitors and warmth in receiving the visitor”, stands out. “an indoor fair, with large pavilion, security and parking. We don't have it anywhere and Agroponte provides us with all of this”, adds.

Cristiani highlights the challenge of working in the agribusiness sector. “Being a woman and working in the agribusiness sector is challenging and at the same time very rewarding.. Knowing stories and valuing rural families is a passion of mine. Year after year, my passion for agribusiness only grows. in these mine 19 years of experience here at the company, in addition to many customers, we already made many friends. Today, I am also in charge of the Colheita Visit Program, that runs through the properties of the clients during the harvest season, but also in planting and management. that all, it's field work, directly on the customer's farm and bringing the whole family together”, comment.

She also highlights the partnership with NossaCasa Feiras e Eventos, company responsible for organizing AgroPonte. “We are very happy to be partners with the Backes family and the company Nossa Casa for all these years. Our expectation for this year's fair is great. We try to set up a space with the main products sold here in the region and we always bring something new from the factory.”, affirms.

Loiva Perdona, on the other hand, operates with an organic line in the family agribusiness. “We work with organic line. We have a mix of products derived from bananas, which is our flagship. We act from sweets, jams, chocolate covered raisins, banana chips, green banana biomass bread, banana flour, among other products. I was born a farmer and I married a farmer. I've always enjoyed producing and selling, this is what I love to do most”, stands out.

Resident of the Primeira Linha neighborhood in Criciúma, Loiva has participated in AgroPonte since its first edition. “I am very grateful and passionate about this fair, where we will show our talent as farmers. Every year we bring something new with bananas and this year will be no different.. Our expectation is the best possible and I hope the event is as good as in recent years”, observa.

working there 23 years with family agroindustry, she owns Ciranda Sabores Orgânico. “With a certificate we were pioneers in Criciúma. Today, my kitchen is also certified to be able to produce the entire organic line”, ensures.

Organization of the fair also passes through female hands

AgroPonte is made by several hands, including the commercial director of NossaCasa Feiras e Eventos, Jacqueline Backes. “We worked for months to build a fair with agribusiness people, family agriculture, industries and technology. Every year seeking to bring news and innovations from these sectors and, in this year, will not be different. The 12th edition of AgroPonte will be the largest fair in the sector ever seen in Santa Catarina”, account.

Jaqueline has been involved with the organization of AgroPonte since the first edition. “I'm with many people, Of course. But it is gratifying to participate in such an important event for the Santa Catarina economy.. We are always looking for the best”, scores.

280 exhibitors

At AgroPonte 2023 will count on 280 exhibitors from Santa Catarina, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo. will be more than 30 thousand square meters of event. beyond the exposure, AgroPonte brings again this year a program full of lectures, workshops and panel discussions.