ApexBrasil boosts family farming exports

The president of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), Jorge Viana, signed two agreements yesterday with the National Union of Family Farming and Solidarity Economy Cooperatives (Unicafes) to reinforce the agency's existing support for promoting export culture within cooperatives. The partnership, signed at the Itamaraty Palace, is expected to benefit 75 participants. ApexBrasil established a broad partnership, launching the Export Qualification Program (Peiex) for family farming cooperatives and rural producers. A memorandum of understanding was also signed to promote cooperation between the parties to structure family farming cooperatives in African countries, contributing to food security in the region.

President Jorge Viana said he was "proud" to sign both commitments at the event. "This is one of the projects we, under President Lula and Minister Alckmin, are pursuing to contribute to this new phase of adulthood and maturity. You can now leave home and embrace the world," he said.

The event, which celebrated Unicafes' 20th anniversary, was also attended by the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva; the Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming, Paulo Teixeira; and the president of Caixa Econômica Federal, Carlos Antônio Vieira Fernandes.

By signing the agreement, ApexBrasil also proposes to reserve spots for family farming cooperatives at international agricultural fairs and missions, such as fairs and missions. One of the priorities of the agreement with the Agency is to prioritize qualification within the scope of the Export Qualification Program in all regions of Brazil.

The president of the Organization's Confederation, Fátima Torres, emphasized that "the initiative will help increase the strength and competitiveness of cooperatives in opening new markets," both domestically and internationally, for one of the most symbolic productive sectors for the Brazilian economy worldwide. Also during the celebration, Marina Silva, Brazil's Minister of State for the Environment and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of family farming to the Brazilian economy: "A major food producer, a major job creator, and a major protector of forests, biodiversity, and water resources." For her, the agreement offers outstanding prospects at COP 30. "Now there's only one way forward: implementation," the Minister emphasized.