In the 1970s and 1980s, families moving to Brazil’s interior succeeded in turning the country’s agricultural potential into an economic engine that today accounts for about 30% of the national GDP. Through a lot of work, they have built businesses that are relevant to the country and feed the world. In this context, agricultural companies are witnessing a process of modernization in their management models, in order to ensure good corporate practices and ensure the sustainability of their activities.
The advancement of agribusiness has brought with it the need for management models capable of handling increasingly complex large-scale operations. In this scenario, strengthening corporate governance is no longer a trend but a necessity.
About to turn 50 years old in 2026, Grupo Bom Jesus, one of Brazil’s largest agricultural producers, is now taking a decisive step on this path. Brothers Nelson Figulo and Geraldo Figulo, the group’s controllers, signed the shareholders’ agreement this week, which formalizes a set of advanced corporate governance practices and establishes new pillars of management, control and transparency, as well as clear succession rules, to ensure business continuity.
“Reaching half a century of existence is a rare milestone and a source of pride for everyone. On this path, we have developed and modernized our operations and strengthened our management, without abandoning the values that shaped us. Adopting a solid management structure confirms this path and prepares Bom Jesus for the next 50 years,” says Nelson Figulo.
Among the new features is the establishment of an Advisory Board of Directors, a structure that supports and qualifies the company’s key strategic decisions. The Board will have independent advisors, increasing the degree of technical and supervisory diversity – an internationally recognized mechanism for reducing risk, enhancing decision-making and increasing the longevity of organizations.
To ensure and maintain the success achieved over five decades, Nelson and Geraldo remain at the helm of the group’s management.
This measure strengthens management, reduces risks and unites the group among the most regulated companies in Brazilian agribusiness.
In line with improved corporate governance, the Corporate Governance, ESG, Crisis, Risk and Compliance Committees have oversight duties and are directly involved in monitoring the company’s key risks and controls. This action integrates the Bom Jesus group into a movement of larger companies that have been implementing formal structures for oversight, integrity and risk management.
With this progress, Bom Jesus Group raises the standard of governance adopted in national agribusiness and signals its commitment to modern, responsible management equipped for the decades to come.
Founded in 1976 by Luiz Figulo, who left Paraná with his family in search of new opportunities in Mato Grosso, the Bom Jesus Group was born from a family operation and grew with the support of the direct labor of his sons, who worked at all stages – from planting and harvesting to administrative management.
Based in Rondonópolis (MT), the group came under the management of brothers Nelson Figulo and Geraldo Figulo in 1996, and has consolidated itself among the largest agricultural producers in the country. The group currently works in the production of soybeans, cotton, corn, seeds and livestock, in addition to trading and transporting grains.
The company is present in the states of Mato Grosso, Bahia and Piauí, where it has an area of about 385 thousand cultivated hectares and an annual production of about 1.5 million tons of grain, providing more than 5 thousand direct jobs.
Bom Jesus Group is committed to transparency and sustainability, publishing its Sustainability Report annually, monitoring social and environmental indicators and aligning itself with international good practices.
The group holds national and international certifications recognizing its responsible actions, including RTRS – Roundtable on Responsible Soy; BR – Brazilian Responsible Cotton; BCI – Better Cotton Initiative; Certification from the Brazilian Cotton Processing Association (ABR), among others.