Researcher Antônio Luis Santi, from the Federal University of Santa Maria – Frederico Westphalen Campus (UFSM-FW), has been selected to receive the "The Future of the Land 2026" Award in the Production Chains and Agricultural Alternatives category. Organized by Jornal do Comércio in partnership with the Rio Grande do Sul Research Support Foundation (FAPERGS), the award reaches its 30th edition recognizing outstanding contributions to the scientific, technological, productive, and sustainable development of agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul.
The Production Chains and Agricultural Alternatives category recognizes initiatives that go beyond conventional agricultural production, valuing research and technologies that promote improvements throughout the entire production chain—from inputs used before production, through on-farm management, to processing and commercialization stages. It also recognizes innovative solutions that strengthen relationships among different stakeholders in the production chain and encourage the practical application of scientific knowledge in the field, honoring both researchers and farmers who adopt these technologies.
This year, 36 nominations were received across the different award categories. The selection was conducted by a multidisciplinary committee composed of specialists from institutions such as UFPel, UFRGS, UPF, UFSM, IFRS, SEAPI, Badesul, and Sebrae, who evaluated scientific and technological merit, innovation potential, human resource development, practical application of research, and its economic, social, and environmental impacts. The award ceremony will take place on August 31, 2026, during Expointer, at the auditorium of the Federation of Agriculture of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (Farsul), in Esteio, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
This achievement reinforces the importance of research focused on agricultural innovation and the development of more efficient and sustainable production systems, highlighting the role of science in building solutions that benefit the entire agribusiness value chain.
"I would like to share this moment with you all, perhaps one of the most important in my professional career. Gratitude to God," says Antônio Santi.
