Brazil and France will carry out joint agricultural research in nine areas

Brazilian and French researchers will be able to participate in joint work in nine specific areas. A memorandum of understanding, signed by the president of Embrapa, Sílvia Massruhá, and the president of the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (Inrae), Philipe Mouguin, establishes guidelines of interest for joint scientific cooperation work.

The document highlights special interest in work with bioinputs, low-carbon agriculture, digital agriculture, agricultural water management and sustainable management of tropical forests and mixed landscapes. “France has a strong history of partnership with Embrapa and Inrae is a valuable partner. We have many topics of common interest, which demonstrates the affinity between the two institutions”, declared Massruhá.

The president of Inrae also recalled the history of joint work. “Embrapa is a historic partner of Inra, now called Inrae, this being the first agreement signed under the new nomenclature. Embrapa plays a key role in research in Brazil and Latin America and we need more joint research work with you,” highlighted Mauguin.

The memorandum cites nine areas of cooperation: a) natural resources and climate change: adaptation and resilience of production systems; b) new sciences: biotechnology, microbiomes, nanotechnology and geotechnology; c) biomass and green chemistry; d) bioeconomy and bioproducts; e) agro-industrial technology; f) automation, precision and digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, information and communication technology; g) animal and plant production systems; h) food security, nutrition and health and i) markets, policies and rural development. The themes can be expanded according to the interests of both parties.

Once signed, researchers from both institutions can establish technical (PCT) or scientific (PCC) cooperation projects in established areas, facilitating joint action. With an expected duration of ten years, renewable for the same period, the memorandum facilitates the relationship between Embrapa and Inrae by establishing guidelines and providing legal formalization.

The vice-president of Inrae, Jean-Francois Soussana, and the coordinator of Labex Europa, Vinícius Guimarães, also participated in the signing ceremony. The person responsible for Labex Europa explains that Inrae is an institution similar to Embrapa in France. Guimarães believes that the formalization of this partnership will create new opportunities for cooperation between the institutions.

Embrapa joins the global Soil Carbon consortium

Also in May, Embrapa signed a letter of interest to participate in the Soil Carbon International Research Consortium, an initiative within the scope of the European Union's Horizon Europe program, which seeks to support research aimed at increasing soil carbon stock. The initiative is aligned with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

By joining Soil Carbon, the institution agrees to use open databases, provide access to relevant results obtained within the scope of the initiative and to promote conditions for interdisciplinary research and innovation work. "Participating in a consortium like this is a strategic action by Embrapa. This allows Brazil to participate in the most renowned research groups on the topic and have a voice in international discussions about it," highlighted Vinícius Pereira Guimarães, coordinator of Embrapa Labex Europe, Embrapa office in Europe.