Researcher Iêda Mendes is included in Forbes Brazil's list of 100 Powerful Women in Agriculture
Recognition highlights the scientific career of the Embrapa Cerrados researcher and her contributions to developing technologies focused on soil health and agricultural sustainability.
Iêda de Carvalho Mendes, a researcher at Embrapa Cerrados, has been selected for the second edition of The 100 Most Powerful Women in Agribusiness, published by Forbes Brasil on October 15, 2026, the date observed as the International Day of Rural Women. The initiative recognizes women whose work exerts influence and generates significant impact across different segments of Brazilian agribusiness.
The list brings together rural producers, researchers, executives, entrepreneurs, and institutional leaders from across the country. In its 2026 edition, Forbes broadens its perspective on women's leadership in the sector, considering not only leadership positions and decision-making authority but also the ability to transform production practices, develop technologies, and contribute to agricultural advancement.
Science and Innovation in Support of Soil Health
Throughout her scientific career, Iêda Mendes has played an important role in developing and disseminating technologies for assessing soil health. An agronomist who graduated from the University of Brasília (UnB) and holds a PhD in Soil Science from Oregon State University in the United States, she has been part of Embrapa since 1989.
Among her main contributions is BioAS (Soil Bioanalysis Technology), developed by her team at Embrapa Cerrados in Planaltina, Federal District. The technology incorporates the activities of the enzymes arylsulfatase and beta-glucosidase into routine soil analyses, enabling the assessment of biological soil functioning and nutrient cycling, particularly sulfur and carbon.
BioAS expands opportunities for soil quality monitoring and provides information to support farmers' decision-making regarding agricultural management. Since 2019, Mendes has also been involved in training commercial laboratories to perform these analyses. According to Forbes Brasil, 31 laboratories had already been qualified and were part of the Embrapa Soil Bioanalysis Network.
Another milestone in her work was the launch of the Soil Health BR Platform in November 2025, during COP30 in Belém, Pará. The initiative brings together data on Brazilian soil health and strengthens knowledge generation to support research, public policies, and sustainable soil management strategies.
In August 2026, Mendes also received the Norman Borlaug Sustainability Award at a congress organized by the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG), further recognizing the significance of her contributions to agriculture.
Recognizing Women's Leadership in Agribusiness
Iêda Mendes's inclusion in the Forbes list highlights the importance of scientific research to the development of Brazilian agribusiness and brings visibility to the work of women who are helping transform the sector through science, innovation, and sustainability. Their influence in agribusiness is also reflected in knowledge generation, technological development, and the dissemination of practices that can improve agricultural production systems.
For the Brazilian Soil Health Partnership (BSHP), the recognition of a researcher dedicated to soil health reinforces the importance of science and collaboration among research institutions, laboratories, and farmers in building more sustainable agricultural systems.
Iêda Mendes's career therefore represents a significant contribution to advancing knowledge of Brazilian soils and promoting agricultural practices grounded in scientific evidence.
