The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Fundecitrus, and the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture of the University of São Paulo (ESALQ-USP) have collaborated to establish the Applied Research Center (ARC) for Innovation and Sustainability in Citrus Farming. This initiative aims to address citrus diseases, notably greening, which has significantly impacted orchards in São Paulo, Brazil. The ARC was inaugurated at the SP Agro event, attended by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, marking a concerted effort against diseases threatening the citrus industry.
At the event, Governor Tarcísio de Freitas emphasized the critical nature of combating greening, referencing the devastation it caused in Florida's citrus crops. The ARC, with a focus on greening, signifies a proactive step towards safeguarding São Paulo's citrus sector. The Center is backed by a US$38.8 million investment over the next five years, with contributions from FAPESP, Fundecitrus, and additional non-financial support. Its mission encompasses research development, knowledge dissemination, and technology transfer, crucial for the state's economy and employment.
Marco Antonio Zago, president of FAPESP, highlighted the strategic alliance between the participating institutions as a response to challenges facing the citrus industry, which is vital for São Paulo's economy. The ARC aims to foster new research groups and enhance existing ones to effectively manage greening and other citrus diseases.
Juliano Ayres, executive director of Fundecitrus, expressed that the ARC's establishment represents a collective ambition to ensure the phytosanitary and economic sustainability of citrus production. Márcio de Castro Silva Filho, FAPESP's scientific director, reflected on the longstanding partnership between FAPESP and Fundecitrus, which has previously yielded significant research outcomes, including the sequencing of the Xylella fastidiosa genome.
Greening has dramatically reduced citrus grove numbers, increased production costs, and led to substantial revenue losses. The ARC's research will focus on understanding and managing the disease, aiming to mitigate its impact on the industry. The Center will also engage in teaching and technology transfer activities, enhancing the sector's knowledge base and practices.
The ARC, located at ESALQ-USP in Piracicaba, will collaborate with various research institutions and universities, both domestically and internationally, to tackle citrus diseases effectively. This partnership underscores the global effort to combat threats to citrus production, with the ARC at the forefront of research and innovation.
Source: Agência FAPESP