The CABI BioProtection Portal and PlantwisePlus digital tools were among the highlights at the Vale Direto Forum 2026. The event brought together about 240 farmers, along with researchers, consultants, and industry leaders from across Brazil. It was organised by the Association of No-Till Farming of the Paranapanema Valley (APDVP) in partnership with the Municipality of Pedrinhas Paulista and supported by the Agricultural Cooperative of Pedrinhas Paulista (CAP).
The forum served as an important platform to discuss innovation, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, biological solutions, digital tools in agriculture, and climate resilience. It also reinforced the role of collaboration in advancing the agricultural transition towards more productive and sustainable farming systems.
On 10 September 2026, the city of Pedrinhas Paulista, in the state of São Paulo, hosted another edition of the Vale Direto Forum. The gathering brought together participants from the public and private sectors to discuss new technologies, sustainability, digital tools in agriculture, and strategies to enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian agribusiness. At a time when agriculture faces increasingly complex challenges, such as climate change, the emergence of new pests, growing market demands, and the need to produce more while reducing environmental impact, the forum reinforced the importance of innovation and collaboration among different stakeholders to accelerate the transformation of the agricultural sector.
Throughout the event, participants had the opportunity to learn about initiatives that are helping make agricultural production more efficient, resilient, and sustainable. There was particular emphasis on the use of bioinputs and digital solutions designed to support farmers’ decision-making processes.
How digital tools are transforming modern agriculture
One of the highlights of the programme was the presentation delivered by Dr. Yelitza Colmenarez, CABI Latin America Regional Director. She shared key initiatives from PlantwisePlus, a global programme focused on strengthening agricultural extension systems, improving pest management, and disseminating technical knowledge to farmers and agricultural professionals.
During her presentation, Dr. Colmenarez emphasised how digital tools in agriculture are transforming the way farmers access technical information, identify plant health challenges, and adopt more sustainable agricultural practices.
“Facilitating access to knowledge for farmers and field technicians is one of the cornerstones of more efficient and resilient agriculture. Digital platforms enable high-quality technical information to reach users quickly and accessibly, supporting more informed decision-making in the field,” she noted.
Dr. Colmenarez also participated in the Climate Change panel, discussing the impact of climatic factors and invasive species in agricultural production. She highlighted CABI information platforms and tools such as the Invasive Species Compendium, Horizon Scanning Tool, and the Plant Health Cases.
CABI BioProtection Portal takes centre stage
One of the most significant moments of the presentation was the demonstration of the CABI BioProtection Portal, an international platform that provides information on registered biological control products and solutions for different crops and countries.
The platform has become an important resource for agronomists, consultants, and farmers seeking sustainable alternatives for pest and disease management, contributing to the expansion of biological control adoption and supporting the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
Participants were also introduced to a video highlighting Brazil’s successful experience in advancing the use of biological control products through the CABI BioProtection Portal, demonstrating how digital tools in agriculture can support the adoption of sustainable crop protection practices. This initiative is the result of an important partnership involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA), ESALQ-SPARCBio, Embrapa, CropLife Brazil, and Koppert Brazil. These organisations have been working together to expand farmers’ access to reliable information on biological solutions for agriculture.
The Brazilian case was presented as a successful example of collaboration among government, academia, the private sector, and international organisations, demonstrating how joint efforts can accelerate innovation and promote more sustainable agricultural practices.
Digital transformation and sustainability go hand in hand
One of the key themes discussed during the Vale Direto Forum was the growing importance of digital transformation for the future of agriculture.
Advances in digital technologies are enabling farmers to access more accurate and real-time information on pest monitoring, weather conditions, good agricultural practices, and sustainable management alternatives. These tools not only enhance farm operational efficiency but also help reduce risks, optimise input use, and minimize environmental impacts.
In this context, initiatives such as PlantwisePlus and the CABI BioProtection Portal demonstrate how technology can serve as a bridge between scientific research and practical field application, making knowledge more accessible and strengthening farmers’ ability to respond to current and future challenges.
Building the future of agriculture
The Vale Direto Forum reinforced the importance of creating spaces for dialogue and knowledge exchange among stakeholders across the agricultural ecosystem. As sustainability, innovation, and food security occupy a central place on global agendas, knowledge sharing has become a strategic element in the sector’s development.
By bringing together experts, producers, and organisations committed to innovation, the event highlighted that the future of agriculture will increasingly depend on the integration of science, technology, and institutional cooperation.
The presentation of PlantwisePlus digital tools and the Brazilian experience with the CABI BioProtection Portal demonstrated that digital transformation is already a reality in agriculture and that access to reliable information will be one of the key drivers in building more productive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural systems capable of meeting the challenges of the coming decades.
