Historical series Itaú BBA conducts the first operation of the 2nd Eco Invest auction for the recovery of degraded areas
Transaction with Adecoagro launches a new line of financing to restore land, increasing production and productivity
São Paulo, January 2026 – Itaú BBA has completed the first release of funds from the 2nd auction of the Eco Invest Brazil Program, a federal government initiative aimed at restoring degraded lands under the Caminho Verde Brasil Program. The operation, structured in partnership with Adecoagro, one of the world’s leading producers of renewable energy and food, marks the first transaction in this phase of the program.
The project includes the conversion of approximately 4,000 hectares of degraded pastures in the Atlantic Forest biome into agricultural areas managed with sustainable practices. The initiative is expected to deliver results in three dimensions: environmental gains, stimulation of local economic development, and strengthening of the regional production chain.
The funds raised from Itaú BBA through Eco Invest, totaling R$ 100 million, represent about 51% of the planned investments by Adecoagro in the project area located in Mato Grosso do Sul. The capital will be allocated to stages such as soil preparation, planting, sustainable management, and acquisition of inputs for sugarcane cultivation.
Among the technical components of the initiative are the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, use of bio-inputs, biological pest control, and advanced environmental monitoring technologies. These elements reinforce the project’s commitment to productive efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Additionally, the process included a comprehensive soil diagnosis to confirm signs of degradation, which will be monitored over the years, allowing measurement of the impacts and results of sustainable agricultural practices. For Itaú BBA, beyond being an important incentive program, Eco Invest will make a significant contribution to science, enabling evaluation of practices adopted over the years.
“The first operation of the 2nd Eco Invest Auction represents a relevant milestone for consolidating the program. By structuring and enabling this financing, we direct resources to an initiative with measurable impacts and aligned with the best socio-environmental practices. The project demonstrates how innovative financial mechanisms can contribute to the sustainable transformation of Brazilian agribusiness,” says Pedro Fernandes, Agribusiness Director at Itaú BBA.
In 2025, the Program mobilized more than R$ 30 billion in total investments aimed at productive restoration of about 1.4 million hectares, positioning Eco Invest as the largest initiative in the world focused on productive restoration. According to the National Treasury, the operation inaugurates a new investment cycle in the country, focusing on the recovery of degraded lands, strengthening the country’s food security, and promoting Brazil’s competitive and sustainable insertion into the international arena.
“This is the first operation of the 2nd Auction and reinforces the role of the financial system as a strategic partner in expanding investments in the recovery of degraded lands for agribusiness. By channeling capital into projects that combine productivity and sustainability, we create conditions to unlock large-scale investments, strengthen agro-productive chains, and consistently and sustainably increase Brazil’s competitiveness,” highlights Rogério Ceron, Secretary of the National Treasury.
“Raising funds through the Eco Invest Program, in partnership with Itaú BBA, for investment in this project reinforces our sustainable production model, which aims to meet global demand for food and energy competitively, while ensuring that production coexists with biodiversity. This is how we generate long-term returns: delivering solid financial results while caring for natural resources and people,” says Renato Junqueira Santos Pereira, Vice President of Sugar, Ethanol and Energy at Adecoagro in Brazil.
The project fully meets the eligibility criteria of the Eco Invest Program for productive recovery initiatives of degraded areas, while also being aligned with the socio-environmental safeguards established by the National Treasury. The operation also includes actions to generate local jobs, promote socioeconomic development, and continuously monitor impacts.
With this operation, Itaú BBA begins the execution of the 2nd Eco Invest auction, reinforcing the institution’s role in mobilizing capital for initiatives