Our day started with a traditional Brazilian breakfast of fresh fruit (papayas, cherries, peaches), cheese, breads and, of course, meat. The juices are fantastic and are made fresh from locally grown fruit. Brazil doesn't use frozen or concentrated juice like the U.S. I have been talking about what a leader Brazil is in energy, but I am reminded continuously that they are very proud of their beef and meat industry. Beef is prevalent in all their meals; breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their beef is served a little dryer and tougher than the U.S. but Brazilians would argue their way is the only way to serve it!
I may decide to stick with my traditional Indiana meat styles, but I humbly admit that we have a lot to learn when it comes to energy efficiency. This morning we visited the Technical Companies of Monsanto (CanaVialis) in Campinas, Brazil. CanaVialis develops and supplies genetic solutions for sugarcane production. Currently, the development of sugarcane is a six year cycle. CanaVialis is working to help reduce the time it takes to bring sugarcane to market. Sixty-five percent of the production cost involved in sugarcane is on agricultural production. The rest of the cost is associated with packaging and transportation. Increasing sugarcane production efficiencies will have an enormous impact on the Brazilian economy. Our trip to Unicamp later in the day proved that Brazil is determined and sophisticated enough to make historical changes to better position themselves in the global economy.
Unicamp is one of three large universities in Brazil funded by the government - 2.5 percent of taxes goes toward Unicamp. Unicamp is widely regarded for their research and helped transform Brazil from a country dependent on oil imports to a global powerhouse in energy production. In the 1970s, 80 percent of the oil that Brazil used was imported. In 1975, Brazil decided they needed to substitute biofuels for their gasoline usage. With the help of Unicamp, Brazil is now 100 energy independent. Not to mention the fact that they have become the largest producer and exporter of sugarcane in the world. Brazil predicts that they could provide 10 percent of the worlds fuel by 2020. If Indiana and the United States want to become competitive in biofuels we must learn from Brazil and become the best at producing our own raw materials, whether it is corn or sugarcane.
The excitement for possibilities didn't end at Unicamp and CanaVialis. This afternoon we visited Campinas, which is a city and county in the interior of São Paulo. Campinas is also the number one hub for cargo in Brazil. In fact, they have a cargo airport. The delegation met with the mayor of Campinas, Hélio de Oliveira Santos, and discussed how the cities may work to learn from each other. Specifically, how the Indianapolis International airport and the Campinas cargo airport can work together, as well as what they can learn from the U.S. regarding public transportation. Public transportation is a big problem in Brazil. In fact, Indiana is miles ahead in this area. The synergies that both these cities can bring to each other are so tremendous that Indianapolis and Campinas became sister cities today.
We ended our day at a traditional Brazilian restaurant where we were served fresh fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, and, of course, beef. Dinner is not to be taken lightly in Brazil. Their work days are long and they end it at an evening meal that can take two to three hours. Quite different from the American drive-thru.
I may decide to stick with my traditional Indiana meat styles, but I humbly admit that we have a lot to learn when it comes to energy efficiency. This morning we visited the Technical Companies of Monsanto (CanaVialis) in Campinas, Brazil. CanaVialis develops and supplies genetic solutions for sugarcane production. Currently, the development of sugarcane is a six year cycle. CanaVialis is working to help reduce the time it takes to bring sugarcane to market. Sixty-five percent of the production cost involved in sugarcane is on agricultural production. The rest of the cost is associated with packaging and transportation. Increasing sugarcane production efficiencies will have an enormous impact on the Brazilian economy. Our trip to Unicamp later in the day proved that Brazil is determined and sophisticated enough to make historical changes to better position themselves in the global economy.
Unicamp is one of three large universities in Brazil funded by the government - 2.5 percent of taxes goes toward Unicamp. Unicamp is widely regarded for their research and helped transform Brazil from a country dependent on oil imports to a global powerhouse in energy production. In the 1970s, 80 percent of the oil that Brazil used was imported. In 1975, Brazil decided they needed to substitute biofuels for their gasoline usage. With the help of Unicamp, Brazil is now 100 energy independent. Not to mention the fact that they have become the largest producer and exporter of sugarcane in the world. Brazil predicts that they could provide 10 percent of the worlds fuel by 2020. If Indiana and the United States want to become competitive in biofuels we must learn from Brazil and become the best at producing our own raw materials, whether it is corn or sugarcane.
The excitement for possibilities didn't end at Unicamp and CanaVialis. This afternoon we visited Campinas, which is a city and county in the interior of São Paulo. Campinas is also the number one hub for cargo in Brazil. In fact, they have a cargo airport. The delegation met with the mayor of Campinas, Hélio de Oliveira Santos, and discussed how the cities may work to learn from each other. Specifically, how the Indianapolis International airport and the Campinas cargo airport can work together, as well as what they can learn from the U.S. regarding public transportation. Public transportation is a big problem in Brazil. In fact, Indiana is miles ahead in this area. The synergies that both these cities can bring to each other are so tremendous that Indianapolis and Campinas became sister cities today.
We ended our day at a traditional Brazilian restaurant where we were served fresh fruit and vegetables, rice, beans, and, of course, beef. Dinner is not to be taken lightly in Brazil. Their work days are long and they end it at an evening meal that can take two to three hours. Quite different from the American drive-thru.
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