EN 
PT_BR 
Celebrating 20 years of history is celebrating the growth and transformation of agriculture and for the Association of Soybean and Corn Producers of Mato Grosso (Aprosoja MT), this celebration is marked by the growing presence of young delegates and producers who, with determination and innovation, are shaping the future of agriculture in the state.
In the agribusiness scenario, young people have stood out for their vision of the future, their commitment to sustainability and their contribution to strengthening agricultural practices, always respecting the legacy left by previous generations.
The story of Marcos Sfredo, a 25-year-old police chief from Nova Mutum, is an example of how love for the land and the desire to innovate can go hand in hand. Born into a family that has always actively participated in Aprosoja MT, the producer remembers the times when he would watch his father and uncle work on the farm. “Since I was little, I always loved going to the farm with my father and uncle. Whenever there was someone who was going, and it was possible to go, I always went along,” he recalls, highlighting that, from an early age, he felt that his place was in the countryside. For him, working on the farm was more than just a job; it was an opportunity to learn from those who had been in the business for a longer time. “The younger generation has to come in with new ideas, but always respecting and seeking to learn more from those who are already in the business.”
With the idea of continuing his family’s legacy, Marcos went to study agronomy, and even before finishing his degree, he was already actively involved in the farm’s routine. When he had the opportunity to become a delegate, he didn’t hesitate. “As soon as I saw the opportunity to be a delegate, I accepted it immediately, always seeing the benefits that the entity brings to all producers,” he says. For Marcos, Aprosoja MT plays a fundamental role in representing the interests of producers, especially in areas where producers often cannot keep up, such as the political scenario and technical issues that directly impact the field. He is emphatic: “In this area, Aprosoja MT protects all producers, it seeks to represent the interests of everyone.”
Campo Verde delegate Vitória Cimadon, 28, also shared her journey in agriculture. Growing up in a family of farmers, she always had contact with the countryside. Vitória fondly remembers her childhood with her parents and, as a young woman, decided to follow the path of agronomy as her calling. “I have always been involved with agriculture, my parents were always in the business, so I grew up on the farm and it has always been my dream to continue this career,” she says. With a degree in agronomy, she began working on the farm with her parents at the age of 21, and since then she has dedicated herself to the countryside, facing all the challenges and learning from her daily experiences.
In addition to practical experience in the field, Vitória had the opportunity to participate in the Aprosoja MT Leadership Academy, an experience that helped her better understand her own profile and deal with people more effectively. “We were able to learn more about ourselves, understand our profile, and even to be able to deal with people,” she says. Participating in the leadership program also helped her gain a broader view of the agricultural sector, including logistics and the challenges that arise outside the farm gate. For Vitória, the presence of the new generation at Aprosoja MT is essential. “I believe that with these new young people more involved in the organizations, we have more access to social networks and technology, and we can provide information, help society, help the local community, and the farm,” she comments, reinforcing that the active participation of young people contributes to the modernization and strengthening of the sector.
The coordinating delegate of Alta Floresta for the past two years, Mateus Berlanda, 25, has a story that reflects the spirit of the countryside and the continuation of a family tradition. Born and raised in Alta Floresta, Mateus grew up working in the fields, helping his father from a very young age. For him, the path to agriculture was inevitable. At just 10 years old, Mateus was already working in the fields, working alongside his father, helping to plant rice and later, soybeans and corn.
“Becoming a producer was inevitable, there was no way it would be otherwise. I grew up on the farm and always followed in my father’s footsteps and decided that I would be a rural producer and that is what I know how to do. At ten years old, I was already working with my father on the farm, helping out,” he says.
His passion for the land and rural production grew, and in 2018, after his father's encouragement, he decided to follow his legacy and manage the family business. “In 2018, my father asked me what I wanted to do and said that I would lease another farm and that he would like me to make it happen. At that time, it was clear to me that I wanted to work in the fields. Today, thank God, we have more than doubled in size and I am the one who takes care of the family business in terms of farming. I have 3 other brothers, all younger than me, and I see myself as a role model for them, who are already with me and making a difference,” he says proudly.
Mateus highlights the importance of his role as a coordinating delegate at Aprosoja MT, a role that, for him, is crucial in strengthening the sector. “The role of delegate is very important, which is to bring all the work that Aprosoja MT does to the region,” he explains. He sees Aprosoja MT as a link between producers and the challenges of the sector, especially in the most remote and least informed regions. For Mateus, the association is essential to ensure that producers’ demands are heard and met. “We are here to seek out the demands with producers, with the regions and take them to the headquarters,” he says, reaffirming the role of Aprosoja MT in strengthening agriculture in Mato Grosso.
Through the dedication of young people like Marcos, Vitória and Mateus, it is clear that the legacy of the field is in good hands and will continue. Aprosoja MT has been an important foundation for young producers in Mato Grosso, providing learning, the exchange of experiences and the development of solutions to the challenges of the sector with projects such as Soja Legal, Academia de Lideranças and with research developed at the Araguaia and Parecis Technology Centers (CTECNOS). With these young people in the lead, Mato Grosso's agricultural sector continues to modernize, balancing tradition with innovation, and creating a sustainable and prosperous path for future generations.
