As CEO of Bevap - Bioenergética Vale do Paracatu, it is a pleasure to share with you our learning and practices about bioenergetic agriculture in irrigated sugarcane. The objective with these practices is to maximize the use of cultivation areas in a sustainable way.

Our journey is driven by the conviction that sustainability and efficiency are not just aspirational goals, but critical foundations for forging a path toward a promising future in the renewable energy sector. Science and available technologies have been essential allies to this proposal. They have allowed us to significantly increase productivity and efficiency in our fields.

Our advanced irrigation systems, such as drip and pivots, have been instrumental in this transformation, allowing not only more efficient use of water, but also the integration of fertigation, which delivers nutrients directly to plant roots more efficiently. This enables our strategy for increasing energy demand without sacrificing precious land that could be used for food production or conservation.

Our learning has gone beyond the fact that we deal with an edaphoclimatic environment where the combination of soil/climate advocates the artificial use of irrigation. From planting, but also in cultural management, organic and mineral nutrients combined, defensive with timing of application and monitoring that deviate a little from the traditional in our sector produce significant results in increased productivity. At Bevap, which was born under the need for irrigation from the beginning, the search is for average productivity in the order of 120 tons per hectare. In our last Harvest, we reached 101 Tons of Sugarcane per Hectare.

Typically, the need for areas for sugarcane cultivation is directly associated with the productivity factor, a reason for concern and high costs in our sector in the regions busiest with the crop. In the Brazilian average of the harvest that ended (2023/2024), close to 80 Tons of Sugarcane per Hectare, when we reach our goals that we seek (average of 120 Tons of Sugarcane per Hectare), for the same grinding need we can reach around 50% reduction in the required area.

Management in search of greater Total Reducing Sugars is traditionally a challenge in our sector, another opportunity that we are developing in irrigated systems to maximize this factor at the best time of our harvest plan. The beginning of the harvest already reaches values above 100 kilograms per ton. Our average in the last harvest was 143 kilograms per ton. The combination of technology, artificial intelligence and the experience of our technical team is a fundamental factor in achieving the highest ton of sugar per hectare (14.7 ton of sugar per hectare in the 2023/2024 Harvest).

In this progress and with our results, we are exploring less fertile areas, where traditional cultures struggle to prosper, opening up opportunities for other energy crops. This, together with the development of more resistant and productive varieties through genetic improvement, expands our arsenal in the fight against today's environmental and economic challenges.

To achieve our goal of excellence in bioenergy agriculture, it is crucial that we keep a close eye on trends and advances in the sector. The use of drones, for example, has revolutionized the way we monitor and manage large swaths of sugarcane crops. These aerial devices not only allow a detailed and comprehensive view of crops, but also help to detect pests, diseases and areas with water stress early, ensuring a quick and effective response.

The implementation of intelligent data analysis systems with the collection of large volumes of information makes us able to better understand weather patterns, plant behavior and soil variables, which allows us to adapt our agricultural practices to achieve the best results possible. The integration of this data with predictive and machine learning models provides smarter and more predictive agriculture, anticipating problems and optimizing solutions.

Concern about environmental impact is also a crucial aspect of our operations. We continually invest in practices that promote soil and water conservation, such as the use of plant covers and techniques that minimize soil disturbance. These practices not only preserve the natural environment, but also improve soil health and fertility, which is essential for the long-term sustainability of our agricultural activity.

The irrigation target considered by Bevap is a depth of 1600 millimeters annually, combining around 1100 millimeters from rain and 500 millimeters from irrigation systems. In a total sugarcane area of approximately 32 thousand hectares, we have irrigation distributed as follows: 76.5% Pivots, 5.6% Drip, 4.6% HidroRoll Sprinkler and, in humid areas without the need for systems irrigation, the remaining 13.3%.

At Bevap, our commitment to innovation and sustainability goes beyond words. It is reflected in every choice we make, in every field we irrigate and in every plant we grow. We believe that with the right technology and a healthy dose of innovation, we can move towards a future where renewable energy and sustainable agriculture go hand in hand.

Collaboration with research institutions and universities is another pillar of our success. Through strategic partnerships, we are able to access the most advanced in terms of technological research and development. These collaborations allow us to be part of a broader scientific community, exchanging knowledge and experiences that help us improve our techniques and develop new sugarcane varieties that are more resilient to climate change and efficient in producing bioenergy.

Finally, the commitment to corporate social responsibility is a non-negotiable value for Bevap. We understand that our work goes beyond the field and must contribute positively to local communities. This translates into training programs, support for local development and employment practices that respect the dignity and promote the growth of our employees and their families.

These practices reflect not just a business strategy, but a commitment to creating a greener and more prosperous future. Through innovative and sustainable management, Bevap is paving the way for bioenergy to be a vector of environmental, economic and social transformation. With these actions, we reaffirm our role as leaders in the renewable energy sector and in promoting agriculture that respects both the planet and the people who live on it. Bevap is proud to lead this effort, showing that it is possible to harmonize energy demands with deep respect for the land that sustains us.