My name is Geane Fontes. I live in Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, where I serve as the Regional Phytopathology Manager for Latin America and also as the Operations Manager for the Research Station in Brazil. I am originally from Picos, Piauí, and the youngest of five siblings.

I consider myself a determined, resilient, and courageous person—traits that have always accompanied me throughout my life. From an early age, I prioritized education, and with great effort, I was able to achieve my academic and professional dreams. I hold a degree in Agricultural Engineering from the State University of Piauí (UESPI) and a Ph.D. in Phytopathology from the University of Brasília (UnB). My passion for study and research has always been a fundamental pillar of my journey.

In 2019, I moved to Guatemala to work as a Phytopathology Researcher at East-West Seed, an experience that expanded my knowledge and allowed me to contribute to significant advancements in the field.

My role involves leading and coordinating teams, always seeking to innovate and improve research and development practices in the agricultural sector.

With a career built on challenges and achievements, I continue to seek new learning opportunities and ways to contribute to the evolution of agriculture and phytopathology on a global scale.

A New Chapter in Brazil

The first year was dedicated to constructing the laboratory, acquiring equipment and supplies, implementing diagnostic methods, and developing resistance screening protocols. In parallel, we conducted a disease mapping project in the country, visiting farmers to understand the main phytosanitary issues and collecting samples for accurate diagnostics. During these visits, we also provided training and recommendations on disease management. Knowing that the department I helped create was contributing to the implementation of better agricultural practices in the lives of small farmers was immensely rewarding.

In addition to activities related to phytopathology, and due to my academic background in genetic resistance, I also led a bell pepper breeding project. This project resulted in the development of a high-quality hybrid with excellent productivity and disease resistance, which currently stands out in the market, boosting demand in Central American countries and offering high market value for local producers.

These improvements will provide our team with more tools and infrastructure to develop promising materials adapted to different regions of Brazil, with a focus on crop quality and resistance. Additionally, the restructuring aims at the continuous professionalization of the R&D team, ensuring excellence in operations and technical expertise to tackle the challenges of the agricultural sector.

Implementing new solutions while dealing with resistance to change has been a major challenge, even leading to a partial renewal of the team. However, maintaining a spirit of collaboration and unity has been essential in overcoming the typical difficulties of a company in its formative stage.

All the experience gained in Guatemala gave me a solid foundation to focus on new innovative projects in Brazil. I am currently leading a transformational project to restructure the Research and Development (R&D) Station at East-West Seed Brazil. This project includes:

• Construction of new offices
• Phytopathology laboratory
• Modernized greenhouses
• Acquisition of agricultural implements and automated systems

 

We are building a company in Brazil whose values and mission are deeply aligned with my life purpose: serving farmers and placing them at the center of everything. This vision is something i share with my team, reinforcing that they, too, are protagonists in this journey. Through research, innovation, and dedication, we continue to build a more productive and sustainable future for agriculture.

Sustainability & Environmental Impact

The innovations developed have had a significant impact on the generation of new technologies, such as hybrids with genetic resistance, high adaptability, and productivity, reducing the need for chemical products in agriculture and contributing to environmental preservation.

Furthermore, we emphasize awareness of sustainable practices, promoting the use of alternative and biological methods for pest and disease management. In construction projects, we are also implementing practices such as:

• Water reuse
• Proper waste disposal
• Use of renewable energy sources