João Marcelo Caires Antunes

João Marcelo Caires Antunes, a 35-year-old agronomist from Jaíba, Minas Gerais, has transitioned from a family tradition of banana farming to pioneering cacao cultivation in northern Minas. In 2022, he started planting cacao on his 200 hectares at Fazenda Lageado, utilizing innovative agricultural techniques and cloned seedlings that thrive in warmer climates. His strategic move aims to diversify crop production and enhance economic stability amid rising cacao prices, positioning him as a key player in Brazil's emerging cacao frontier.