Instituto BioSistêmico and Zoetis Foundation Launch the Rio Mais Leite Project

Awareness efforts promoted by the Instituto BioSistêmico (IBS) in February and March marked the beginning of the Rio Mais Leite Project in southern Rio de Janeiro state. Aimed at expanding the reach of technical assistance and promoting the professionalization of dairy farming, the actions involved strategic visits to municipalities with a strong tradition in milk production.

In total, five municipalities joined the initiative: Paty do Alferes, Rio das Flores, Barra do Piraí, Pinheiral, and Paraíba do Sul. In Paty do Alferes, considered the project's focal municipality in the region, around 45 farmers were mobilized, many of whom had already been impacted by previous initiatives in partnership with Sebrae. During this awareness stage, the IBS team focused on engaging with local institutions and identifying producers most in need of technical support.

According to veterinarian Matheus Henrique Magalhães, IBS's technical coordinator for livestock projects, the lack of technical assistance in these areas highlighted the importance of the initiative. “The farmers welcomed the proposal very positively. In many cases, the project represents a boost to resume the development of regional dairy farming,” he explains.

The region chosen for the expansion of Rio Mais Leite was not random. With geographic characteristics that hinder mechanization and favor family farming, southern Rio de Janeiro is home to small-scale farms with a strong vocation for dairy production and artisanal cheese-making. Two major dairy companies, Lactalis and Piracanjuba, operate in the region, along with several artisanal cheese producers.

Another distinctive feature is the presence of agricultural science education centers, such as the veterinary schools in Valença and Vassouras, which contribute to strengthening the region as a productive hub with technical and scientific potential.

Rio Mais Leite aims to provide farmers with access to technologies and methodologies focused on genetic improvement, good management practices, environmental sustainability, and productivity gains. The goal is to support the strengthening of the region’s identity as a reference in high-quality milk production.

“We want to contribute to the recognition and modernization of these territories, respecting their unique characteristics. Southern Rio de Janeiro already plays an important role in the state’s dairy sector, and this project will help amplify that role with a strong technical and sustainable foundation,” Matheus emphasizes.

About the Rio Mais Leite Project

Conceived and implemented by the Instituto BioSistêmico, the Rio Mais Leite project is funded by the Zoetis Foundation and focuses on developing dairy farming in 100 family-farming profile dairy properties in the municipalities of Valença and Volta Redonda, located in the southern region of Rio de Janeiro State.

The initiative involves technological assistance actions organized into four areas: best practices, reproductive management, nutritional management, sanitary management, and best practices in artisanal cheese processing.

The project uses the CheckMilk methodology, which includes a digital platform with a management system and a support app for technical teams and farmers, providing continuous support for farm operations.