This statement was made by the professor and First Lady of Bahia during a visit to the Jacy Rocha settlement in Prado, alongside mayors, MST activists, and political authorities.
On the morning of this Friday (9/30), Tatiana Velloso, a professor at the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB) and First Lady of the State of Bahia, participated in the opening of the Agrarian Reform Productive Networks Seminar, hosted by the MST in the municipality of Prado, Bahia. Also present at the event were Federal Deputy Valmir Assunção (Workers' Party-BA); Fabya Reis, Secretary of the Secretariat of Social Assistance and Development (SEADES); Lucinha do MST, National Secretary of Popular Movements of the Workers' Party (PT); and mayors from the region.
The seminar promotes the exchange of experiences and discusses public policies that encourage the production of healthy food in the state. According to Professor Tatiana, this is an important time to reflect on public policies aimed at rural areas. "When President Lula says we have to include the poor in the budget, it's not out of benevolence. The MST provides the yardstick and compass for us to consider our development model," he said.
In a video sent to the event, Governor Jerônimo spoke about the importance of the seminar and that it is time to understand "our place in strengthening democracy and sovereignty. There will be no democracy until there is a fair Agrarian Reform," he stated.
Federal Deputy Valmir Assunção (Workers' Party-BA) emphasized the need to recognize the work done by the Governor of Bahia, Jerônimo Rodrigues, for the rural population. He also emphasized the First Lady's role in developing Agrarian Reform policies. "Professor Tatiana is an activist for our cause, for our people."
The event takes place at the Egídio Brunetto Popular School of Agroecology and Agroforestry. According to Arleu Kai, from the MST's Production Sector in Bahia, the Seminar is a moment of building relationships around different production chains. "We will build agro-industries, processing facilities for vegetables and fruits, so they reach markets more effectively. This way, we advance our dream of having Agrarian Reform agro-industries, which will enable the industrialization of our products and facilitate market access," she explains.
