Brazil strengthens agricultural cooperation with Africa, expands its international influence

Ambassadors, experts, and authorities gathered on Wednesday, March 19, to discuss strategies for strengthening agricultural cooperation and overall relations between Brazil and African countries. The event "Africa-Brazil Dialogue on R&D&I in Agriculture – Taking International Cooperation to the Next Level" was organized by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária /EMBRAPA), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (Agência Brasileira de Cooperação /ABC), with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária /MAPA).

The Secretary of Trade and International Relations of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Luís Rua, highlighted Brazil’s relevance in the geopolitics of peace and the relevance of knowledge exchange with the African continent. According to him, Africa is a strategic partner both in trade and agricultural cooperation. Innovation and the adoption of efficient practices are essential to increasing productivity and ensuring food security.

MAPA has played a crucial role in formulating policies to drive the sustainable growth of the sector. In partnership with EMBRAPA, the ministry continuously invests in research and new technologies to optimize the use of natural resources, improve soil fertility, and develop crop varieties adapted to different biomes. Globally recognized, the institution revolutionized Brazilian agriculture by transforming the Cerrado biome into a productive powerhouse and developing sustainable solutions for the sector. Today, its research not only drives Brazil forward but also helps countries worldwide facing similar challenges to sustainably increase their productivity.

In addition to knowledge sharing, agricultural trade between Brazil and Africa has strengthened. In the past three years, Africa imported over USD 33.8 billion in products from Brazil's agribusiness, with highlights including meat, cereals, and sugar. In 2024, Brazilian exports to the region grew by 25%, consolidating Brazil as a strategic partner in the food security of the African continent.

In May of this year, agriculture ministers from African countries will come to Brazil for another opportunity to strengthen ties. The initiative reinforces Brazil's commitment to international cooperation and the development of innovative solutions for the future of global agriculture, further solidifying its position as one of the key players in the global food security arena.