Fromtheexpert’sviewpoint
The mayor of Santa Cruz do Sul, Telmo Kirst, founder of the Amprotabaco, under-
stands that the position of Agriculture minister Blairo Maggi balances a relationship in
which the tobacco sectorwas,most of the times, at a disadvantage because the interloc-
utors of the government lacked the necessary information. “Nowwe have technical and
political support, contrary to the past”, Kirst notes. He is the mayor of the municipality
home to the largest global tobacco leaf processing complex.
Benício Albano Werner, president of the Tobacco Growers’ Association of Brazil (Afu-
bra), in turn, believes that in light of BlairoMaggi’s global visionof agribusiness and, at the
same time, having a clear understanding of the regional concepts and aspects associat-
ed with the supply chain, the farmers and municipalities, makes a big difference. Werner
maintains that, ashe isalsoa farmer,Maggi hasadifferent vision, oncehehasaclear grasp
of the dynamics of the business, as well as of the difficulties faced by the farmers and the
advantages derived froman organized supply chain, generating jobs and income.
“He knows that the Brazilian economy is being consolidated by the primary sec-
tor, and is in a position to dimension the importance of every different segment. And
all this without any fear of being criticized by radical segments, aware of his role not
only as minister, but as a farmer and entrepreneur as well”, he adds. The president un-
derstands that the position of Maggi, reinforced by Eliseu Padilha, Chief of Staff, adds
credibility not only to the negotiations related to the supply chain, but to the govern-
ment itself regarding the sector. “We have more confidence in debating with an inter-
locutor not radically against tobacco or under the influence of radical segments. This
makes the supply chain feel comfortable”, Werner concludes.
Rodrigo Assmann
