Brazil seeks cooperation with China and Japan to develop technology in the field

Brazil will form a working group with China to address issues related to science, technology and innovation in the field. The matter was discussed during a meeting of the Sino-Brazilian High Level Commission for Concertation and Cooperation (Cosban).

The Secretary of Innovation, Rural Development and Irrigation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Fernando Camargo, represented Brazil in the sectoral subcommittee on agriculture during Cosban. According to him, Brazil and China have complementary characteristics, and have a lot to cooperate with.

“This is the fundamental point of Cosban, which is cooperation. Brazil and China are not competitors, they complement each other”, says Camargo. The objective is for the GT to result in agreements with universities and research centers between the two countries.

Another topic discussed at the meeting was the possibility of increasing Brazilian sugar exports to China.

“The Chinese are reluctant towards Brazilian sugar, telling us that there are traces of GMOs in the sugar, derived from GM sugarcane. But this was also much discussed, we have shown through scientific studies that sugar is something else. Genetically modified sugar cane leaves no traces in the sugar”, explained the secretary.

The Vice President of the Republic, Hamilton Mourão, also participated in Cosban, when he met with the Chinese Vice President, Wang Qishan, in Beijing.

Japan

Secretary Fernando Camargo also met with directors from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), to discuss new innovation and technology projects in the field.  

“Brazil has internet gaps in the countryside. We all know that when we go 30, 40 kilometers outside the city, our cell phone no longer works, there is already a 3G, 4G blackout. So, you can imagine how difficult it is for farmers to use cutting-edge technology in the field if they don’t have connectivity.”

In May, minister Tereza Cristina met with the vice-president of Jica, when she presented data on agricultural production and areas with potential for foreign investment.