Modernization of institutional infrastructure to promote IAC technology transfer

• Grant number: 25/14489-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Technical Reserve for Institutional Research Infrastructure
• Start date: October 01, 2025
• End date: September 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Guimarães de Andrade Landell
• Grantee: Marcos Guimarães de Andrade Landell
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Instituto Agronômico (IAC), part of the São Paulo State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply, is comprised of 12 Centers (Agricultural Biosystems and Postharvest, Coffee, Sugarcane, Citrus, Engineering and Automation, Plant Health, Fruits, Horticulture, Grains and Fibers, Plant Genetic Resources, Rubber Trees and Agroforestry Systems, and Soils and Fertilizer Research), in addition to five Regional Research Units. The IAC's network of research and technological development interactions is extensive, encompassing more than 170 municipalities in the state of São Paulo, 18 Brazilian states, and 20 countries.To develop its research activities and transfer knowledge and technologies, the Institute has 108 researchers (90% PhDs) and 201 research support staff. Over its 138 years, the IAC has made significant progress in providing cultivars with special characteristics to the production sector, resulting from its valuable genetic patrimony, being a pioneer in the introduction and initiation of genetic improvement of most Brazilian agribusiness crops. The IAC is a reference in genetic improvement of agricultural plants, while also seeking to incorporate modern technologies into its R&D&I programming, such as digital agriculture and genetic prospecting of important commercial crops, in partnership with national and international networks. In fulfillment of its mission, the IAC also works on developing technological packages that contribute to increasing crop productivity and sustainability, as well as product quality. Special attention has also been given to transferring knowledge and technologies generated to society, as well as providing services through laboratory analysis. As a result of this research, cultivars adapted to different soil and climate conditions have been and are being developed by the IAC. A total of 1,189 materials from 104 different plant species have been released for national agriculture. Notably, some crops worth highlighting include sugarcane, citrus, and coffee, in which Brazil maintains its global leadership in the production and export of sugar, orange juice, and coffee. In the last 12 months, the Institute has released 20 new cultivars of various species, including sugarcane, beans, citrus, potatoes, corn, and millet. IAC plays a key role in this success, as its cultivars and production technologies are widely used in the field for these crops. Coffee stands out, with 70 cultivars occupying over 90% of Arabica crops in Brazil, and citrus, with IAC materials present in most orchards in São Paulo and nationwide, demonstrating that research results are being transferred to the production sector.Funding from state and federal funding agencies has been crucial in improving research infrastructure and contributing to the mentioned results. Public-private partnerships have also been consistently encouraged at the institution; the NIT IAC has been actively involved in formalizing partnerships, registering patents, and licensing, enabling the IAC to expand the value it generates for society. The IAC 2019 Maria cultivar, licensed to Citro Setin Mudas, is cited as a key example; the cooperation agreement between the IAC and Ciacamp/Amazon for the development of the Gran Black product, based on the use of NAC (IAC patent). For the pre-sprouted sugarcane seedling system, we received the MPB trademark registration from the INPI in 2019. Thus, this project aims to contribute to sustainability and increased agricultural productivity, through the dissemination of IAC technologies in partnership with companies, cooperatives, producer associations, and universities, through training and dissemination events. (AU)