Farmers feed our world: ‘It’s tiring, but I love what I do.’
Read Time: 4 minutes
October 24, 2024
Farmers have the ultimate responsibility: to feed the world sustainably.
Yet the world is becoming a more complicated place. Climate change, water shortages and rising costs make it harder to feed our growing global population.
But farmers are innovative. They’ve always been able to find smarter ways to produce food and to do more with less. And they don’t have to do it alone. Cargill is at farmers’ sides, providing them resources, products, tools and technology to help grow food more efficiently and sustainably.
This includes producers like Marcelo Resende and Daise Coelho in Brazil, Mike Doran in the U.S., and Ceylan Karaoğlan in Türkiye. These family farmers are showing what’s possible as they make our food system more resilient and sustainable.
Together, we’re building a more food secure world.
Meet the farmers below
For this small dairy farming couple in Brazil, a love for cheesemaking begins with healthy cows
Marcelo Resende and Daise Coelho run a dairy operation in Brazil, where their 20 head of cattle help produce cheese and milk for the local community.
Years ago, Marcelo Resende and Daise Coelho fell in love with each other — and with cheese.
Marcelo, then a truck driver, and Daise, a seamstress, began their journey as dairy farmers in 2013. They inherited Marcelo’s grandfather’s farm in Araxá, Brazil, and sold their home to buy cattle.
It was humble beginnings. They lacked milking space and Daise worked as a cleaner to make ends meet. Then in 2016, they made a bold decision: to start making artisanal cheese. They began small, testing recipes with neighbors who didn’t pay but gave them valuable feedback on the flavors.
Their hard work has paid off. Today, their small farm produces 340 liters of milk and 40 pieces of cheese every day — part of a growing dairy sector in Brazil. Their cheese has become a staple in their city and even earned a top Brazilian cheese award.
What’s behind their success?
“The secret to good cheese starts with the cattle’s diet,” Marcelo explains. In fact, a cow’s diet is one of the most important factors in dairy farmers’ success.
That’s where Cargill comes in. We partner with Marcelo and Daise to provide high-quality animal feed and personalized support to help improve productivity on their farm. Through the Coopercitrus cooperative, the couple accesses our feed solutions and technical assistance to support the health and productivity of their cattle.
When I made my first cheese, I fell in love,” Daise says. “Cheese is my life. It is tiring. It’s a lot of work every day, but I love what I do. I support my family through working with my hands, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Helping farmers create a more food secure world
Cargill is committed to helping farmers around the world ensure agriculture meets the demands of a rapidly changing world. We help farmers produce food more efficiently and sustainably by providing:
- Animal nutrition solutions
- A range of grain contracting and consulting solutions, crop inputs and agronomic services
- Innovative digital tools
- Technical assistance
- Access to a diverse range of markets
Learn more about how we’re creating a more food secure world.
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